Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
access roads that need a 4WD. The same goes for the country's national parks and wildlife
reserves.
BRING YOUR OWN VEHICLE & DRIVING LICENCE
If you're bringing a car into Malawi from any other country without a
carnet
, a tempor-
ary import permit costs US$3 (payable in kwacha) and compulsory third-party insurance
is US$25 for one month. There's also a US$20 road tax fee - you must produce the docu-
mentation for this if you are driving the car out. When you leave Malawi, a permit hand-
ling fee of US$5 is payable. Receipts are issued.
You need a full driving licence (international driving licence is not necessary), and are
normally required to be at least 23 years old and have two years' driving experience.
FUEL & SPARE PARTS
Fuel costs around US$1.54 per litre of diesel. Supplies are often limited so always keep
your tank no lower than half full (how's that for optimism!). Spare parts are available in
Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu.
HIRE
Most car-hire companies are based in Blantyre and Lilongwe and can arrange pick-up-
drop-off deals. International names include Avis, and there are several independent outfits
like Crossroads Car Hire. Check the tyres: bald tread will not get you up the mountain to
Livingstonia.
Self-drive rates for a small car with unlimited mileage start at around US$50 per day.
For a 4WD you're looking at around US$150 per day. To this add 17.5% government tax,
plus another US$3 to US$7 a day for insurance. There will usually be a fee of about 5%
for using a credit card. Also, most companies will quote you in dollars but if you pay by
card they'll have to exchange this into kwacha first - usually at a hugely unfavourable
rate.
If you'd rather not drive yourself, most companies will arrange a driver for you at a cost
of around US$45 a day.
Avis
( in Blantyre 01-692368, in Lilongwe 01-756105, 01-756103)
Also has offices at
Lilongwe and Blantyre airports and at some large hotels.
Crossroads Car Hire
( 01-750333; Crossroads Mall, next to the Crossroads Hotel;
saloon/4WD with fully comprehensive insurance per day US$100/149; 9am-5pm Mon-
Fri)
Solid 4WD vehicles, and fully comprehensive insurance, allowing you to self-drive
on the toughest roads the country's parks can throw at you.
