Malawi Hippo Research

Country Information

Malawi is a small and beautiful country in East Africa, renowned for having some of friendliest people and a huge diversity of scenery. Malawi has it all, from palm-lined beaches to remote wilderness and safaris.  The country is dominated by Lake Malawi, stretching 500km down the Eastern border, estimated to take up about one third of Malawi’s size. To the east and southern edges it borders Mozambique, to the west Zambia, and to the north-east, Tanzania.

The history is similar to that of many nations in Africa, its proximity to the coast both enhancing and encumbering it’s development where early Portuguese settlers established trading routes, enabling the western settlers to exploit the locals into the slave trade.  

Malawi became a British colony in the late 19th Century as European settlers competed to exploit the local resources. In the middle of the 20th Century, power returned to the local people when Dr Hastings Banda took over as Prime Minister. Banda was an oppressive dictator, who censored other ruling parties and escalated economic problems. It was only in the early 1990s that the opposition to his rule became strong enough to introduce a multi-party voting system. Banda finally lost power in the middle of the 1990s.

However, Malawi is still suffering from their politician’s unfulfilled promises. There is poor access to health services and facilities, constant food uncertainty, high levels of malnutrition and high birth and dependency rates. In addition to this, more than 25% of children work to supplement family income, which adversely affects their school attendance. Malawi is amongst the 10 countries most affected by the HIV/AIDS endemic, with the average life expectancy at just 39 years old.

Time
Malawi is two hours ahead of GMT.

In Africa, time is not a priority like it is in much of the western world – there is a saying that Africa works to ‘Africa Time’, which basically means you must exercise a lot of patience! If a boat is due to leave at 12pm, don’t be surprised if it still hasn’t a couple of hours later… keep an open mind, and arrive in Africa ‘Expecting the unexpected’.

Getting There

You will need to fly into Lilongwe International Airport where a project representative will meet you. You will then be transferred by road to the expedition start point, either at Senga Bay or Palm Beach, where you will set up your tent for the nights. A full day of volunteer orientation will take place as well as specific training and safety drills on the boat.

Climate

Malawi has varied weather patterns due to varying altitudes across the country. Generally, Malawi’s wet season falls from November to April, when the days are warm and humid. The heat and humidity are at their most extreme during September and October. May to August is cool and dry.

Lilongwe Climate Chart