Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LILONGWE
01 / POP 781,500 / ELEV 1050M
Sprawling, chaotic and bustling with commerce, Lilongwe feels fit to burst. The nation's
capital is initially a little underwhelming and it takes some time to get your bearings - you
may wonder where the centre is - but once you've decided on your favorite restaurants,
ferreted out the best malls and discovered those hidden leafy oases, the place really grows
on you. A trip to the city market is an eye opener, with gleaming fruit and African music
dancing over the animated faces of hawkers. It's also worth visiting Lilongwe Nature Sanc-
tuary, which has recently been reinvigorated (though not after midnight, as lately hyenas
have been appearing and opportunistically feasting on inebriated locals). A visit to the to-
bacco auction floors on the outskirts of town is a great photo opportunity, and within easy
reach of the city are cool forest reserves and a famed pottery workshop at Dedza.
Lilongwe has two centres: City Centre (Capital City), home to ministries, embassies,
smart hotels, airline offices and travel agents; and Old Town, with its guesthouses, back-
packer hostels and campsites, bus station, main market, banks, tour companies and malls.
The two centres are 3km apart and minibuses frequently run between them. The heart of
Old Town is the market on Malangalanga Rd. Just south of the market is the main bus sta-
tion. Just to the north of the market is Devil St, a narrow road lined with bars and cheap ho-
tels, where you'll also find the departure points for buses headed to Zambia or Tanzania.
MALAWI FAST FACTS
»
Area
118,484 sq km
»
Capital
Lilongwe
»
Famous for
The lake, laid-back beach resorts and friendly locals
»
Languages
English, Chichewa
»
Money
Malawian kwacha (MK) and US dollars
