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DE RUEHLG #0120/01 0391154
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R 081154Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHOR/AMEMBASSY GABORONE 0670
INFO RHMFIUU/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ1-AX//
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC//USDP:ADMIN//
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC//DH-4//
RUEAHQA/HQ USAF WASHDC//XOXI/XONP//
RUEHSB/USDAO HARARE ZI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000120 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL OTRA MI
SUBJECT: Country Clearance granted 
 
REF: GABORAONE 00151 
 
¶1. American Embassy Lilongwe grants country clearance 
and welcomes the visit of Major Andrew Overfield to Malawi 
for the purpose of facilitating EUCOM Acquisition Cross 
Servicing Agreement negotiations and to observe ACOTA PSO 
field training from February 12-18, 2006. Control Officer 
for the visit will be Political/Military Officer Tyler 
Sparks, office telephone number 265-1-773-166, ext. 3463; 
cell phone number 265-9-965-544; and e-mail sparkstk@state.gov. 
 
¶2. Accommodations 
Reservations have been made at Capital Hotel, telephone 
number 256-1-773-388 and Fax 265-1-771-273, under 
confirmation number 99081. The current room rate is 
USD 107.00 which includes tax and Breakfast. 
 
¶3. Airport Departure Tax 
Regardless of diplomatic or other official status, all 
departing air travelers are subject to an airport 
departure tax of thirty U.S. dollars ($30), which must 
be paid in U.S. dollars. Today's exchange rate is USD 
1.00 to 128.00 Malawi Kwacha. 
 
¶4. Foreign Exchange 
Banking services are very limited throughout Malawi 
and there are no ATM machines.  Further, the country 
is experiencing a shortage of hard currency and it is 
particularly difficult to obtain U.S. dollars even via 
accommodation exchanges with the embassy cashier. 
Whereas the Embassy Cashier will cash travelers 
checks, usually for Malawi Kwacha only at the current 
exchange rate posted by RAMC-Paris, the local money 
changers normally charge a 10% fee.  For all of these 
reasons, travelers are advised to consider bringing a 
small, whatever is reasonable amount of U.S. dollars 
if they are planning any personal in-country travel. 
 
¶5. Airport Transfer 
An embassy representative will meet you at the airport. 
All visitors should check in with their host agency 
Executive office at their earliest opportunity. 
 
 
¶6. Cellular Telephones 
Cellular telephones are available for rent at the 
airport for travelers requiring such capability.  The 
cost is approximately $2.50 per day plus a refundable 
deposit of $200.  Calling cards may be purchased in 
denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, and $50. 
 
¶7. Climate 
Malawi's climate is generally subtropical.  There is 
little to no rainfall throughout most of the country 
from May to October. It is hot and humid from October 
to April along the lake and in the Lower Shire Valley. 
Lilongwe is also hot and humid during these months, 
albeit far less than in the south. The rest of the 
country is warm during those months. From June through 
August, the lake areas and far south are comfortably 
warm, but the rest of Malawi can be chilly at night, 
with temperatures ranging from 5o-14oC or 41o-57oF. 
 
¶8. What to wear 
Visitors are particularly requested to observe local 
dress customs, which strongly emphasized modesty under 
the former president.  While attitudes and customs 
have changed so that women wearing trousers and women 
and men wearing shorts is acceptable in urban and 
tourist areas, in outlying villages it is still 
inappropriate for women to appear without wearing a 
skirt or long dress.  This can be easily accomplished 
by tying a wrap around the waist to cover shorts, 
trousers, or short skirts.  The wraps, called 
chitenjes or khangas, are inexpensive, readily 
available in local markets, and, as a bonus, are 
usually quite beautiful.  In sum, Malawians are very 
conventional and conservative people and our display 
of obvious respect for their customs and traditions 
goes a long way toward furthering our mutual 
relations, and this is particularly so in the rural 
areas. 
 
¶9. Excess Baggage 
Officials at Kamuzu International Airport can be 
very strict concerning excess baggage; and because 
fees for excess baggage are not posted, travelers run 
the risk of incurring excessive charges.  Therefore, 
when appropriate for reasons of official business, 
 
LILONGWE 00000120  002 OF 002 
 
 
post recommends that visitors have an excess baggage 
allowance added to their tickets at the time of 
purchase. 
 
¶10. Flight Reconfirmation 
Because flights from Lilongwe are frequently 
overbooked, travelers are encouraged to visit the 
embassy's travel section early in their visit in order 
to reconfirm onward travel. 
 
¶11. Health 
Travelers to Malawi should check with their agency's 
medical unit several weeks before arrival in Lilongwe 
to receive recommended immunizations and to begin 
malaria prophylaxis. Malaria is a significant health 
problem in Malawi.  Swimmers should be aware of the 
risk of contracting schistosomiasis.  Although tap 
water is treated in the major cities, quality varies 
and it is not always safe for drinking.  Do not drink 
water outside of the cities; bottled water is readily 
available in stores and in restaurants.  HIV/AIDS is 
prevalent in Malawi and visitors should exercise 
extreme caution at all times to avoid contact that 
might result in HIV/AIDS transmission. 
 
A yellow fever vaccination received within the last 
ten years and evidenced with a World Health 
Organization International Certificate of Vaccinations 
may be required for entry into Malawi. 
 
¶12. Security 
During your visit to Malawi, you should use the same 
security precautions you would exercise in any urban 
area of the developing world.  Carjacking and 
robberies occur throughout Malawi and all visitors 
should use caution.  You should not carry personal 
valuables or large amounts of currency when visiting 
the downtown areas of Lilongwe or Blantyre.  We 
recommend that you not venture out alone at night. 
Given the high rate of vehicular accidents, use of USG 
vehicles outside urban areas after dark is prohibited 
and the mission strongly discourages individuals from 
driving their private vehicles outside urban areas 
after dark. 
 
¶13. Threat Assessment 
Malawi is rated critical for crime.  Porous borders, 
easily acquired small arms, and an under-resourced 
police service provide an easy environment for 
criminals.  Besides petty thefts, the majority of 
reported crimes are car-jackings and burglaries.  Even 
though there are no known terrorist organizations 
operating in Malawi, the conditions noted above also 
allow for a possible, undetected terrorist presence. 
The current government was democratically elected in 
1994, then re-elected in 1999 and 2004.   Malawi currently 
enjoys political stability with few instances of civil 
unrest or public demonstrations. 
 
¶14. Travel 
Malawi is a long and narrow country, covering more 
than 1000 km from North to South.  The geography is 
dominated by the tranquil waters of Lake Malawi, 
nearly 600km long and up to 80km wide, bordering the 
east of the country.  It is the greatest attraction 
for visitors to this peaceful place well known for its 
friendly people, golden shores, and stunning natural 
scenery.  Malawi also has eleven national parks and 
game reserves where everything from elephants to 
orchids are protected.  The three national parks of 
Lengwe, Liwonde, and Lake Malawi National Park are 
located in the south; Kasungu National Park is in the 
central region; and Nyika National Park is in the 
north.  Additionally, game reserves are accessible 
from all parts of the country. 
 
¶15.  Visas 
U.S. citizens bearing diplomatic, official or tourist 
passports do not require visas when entering Malawi 
for business or vacation.  For longer-term stays that 
require a residency visa, the embassy's Consular 
Section will assist you. 
 
¶16. TAKULANDIRANI or MWALANDILIDWA! Welcome to Malawi, 
the warm heart of Africa. 
GILMOUR