Important Information for Visitors to
Nkhotakota , Malawi

Passports - All visitors to Malawi and Zambia require a valid passport.

Visas for Malawi

We recommend that all visitors should confirm visa requirements with their travel agent, their nearest Malawian Embassy or High Commission, or, if this proves difficult, send us your passport details and we will ask the immigration dept for the current requirements. At present nationals of the following countries DO NOT require Visas for Malawi: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and U.S.A. However as requirements change from time to time please confirm the visa requirement in good time before your trip. If you require a Visa and live in a country without a Malawian Embassy then, if we have 6 weeks notice, we can usually obtain the Visa on your behalf from the immigration authorities and fax it to you. The costs vary from country to country but do not usually exceed about US $50 for a single entry visa and US $75 for a multiple entry visa.

Visas for Zambia (for those taking the 4 Day Safari Trip to South Luangwa)

Most visitors from non-African countries normally require an entry visa costing US $50 to enter Zambia. This can be purchased at the border and normally has to be paid in US $. Visitors with passports issued in the SADC countries in Southern Africa do not require a visa to enter Zambia. Visitors to Zambia also require a Yellow Fever Certificate, see below.

Immigration Procedures

On arrival visitors may be asked to show immigration officials their return ticket and evidence of funds to support themselves during their stay, a credit card is normally sufficient for this. For our guests a “Confirmation of Booking” letter will be supplied to show immigration officials, or for late bookings we will bring such a letter to the airport. All guests will also be given contact mobile phone numbers before they arrive. Immigration procedures are normally very simple. You may take a few minutes in the queue if your plane had a lot of passengers for Malawi. Usually immigration cards are given out on the plane but otherwise ask for one and complete it before you join the queue. In the unlikely event of any problems advise the official that you are being met by staff from Dedza Pottery who will be able to explain the exact purpose of your visit.

Health Regulations and Health Certificates

Visitors from Europe, and other areas with no Yellow Fever, arriving by air in Malawi require no health certificates. Visitors arriving from an infected area require a Yellow Fever Certificate. However those booking the Safari to Zambia require a current Yellow Fever Certificate to show to the Zambian Border officials. If, for any reason, you are not able to obtain this certificate please contact us for advice.

Health Recommendations

Your doctor should advise you on specific inoculations. Check your tetanus jabs are up to date and a hepatitis A is probably worth having as it is fairly painless and, we are told, very effective. Many visitors have only these.

Malaria - is probably the biggest (but avoidable) health risk and it is essential to take a prophylactic against it. You should take advice from your doctor on which drug to use and bring enough for your trip. We strongly recommend that you start taking the recommended prophylactic at least 2 weeks before leaving so if you have a reaction to it you have time to try a different medicine. Prophylactics do not give 100% protection, but should mean that if you do catch malaria it will not be severe and can be easily treated. However the best precaution against Malaria is not to get bitten by mosquitoes and this is fairly easy to achieve as mosquitoes only bite after dark. So if you go out after dusk ALWAYS wear long trousers, socks and long sleeved shirts or tops and use an insect repellent. All the windows in the rooms where you will stay have mosquito screens, the walls and ceilings are regularly sprayed with a (safe!) knockdown mosquito killer, there are electric mosquito killers in every room and all the beds have mosquito nets.

Medical Facilities within Malawi - For simple complaints and fast service many towns, including both Dedza and Nkhotakota, now have new, clean and well equipped clinics run by the Marie Stopes foundation. Nkhotakota has both an Anglican Mission Hospital and a new & well equipped government hospital. Generally good health care is available at Mission Hospitals paying as a private patient. There are also a few private clinics in Lilongwe which offer very good facilities but charge rates similar to European private hospitals hence we insist that all guests have health insurance cover.

What to Bring

Clothing - May to August the climate at Nkhotakota is like a good English summer except that rain is very unlikely. You may require a light jumper in the evenings. The high altitude of Dedza means that the nights are chilly. June is the coldest month with early morning temperatures under 5ºC but usually bright and sunny by day. If you are coming on the trip to Zambia you will need a windproof anorak (as well as a jumper in July) as it can be very chilly during the night drive on the open vehicle. Otherwise summer clothes. We provide aprons in the workshop but clay has a habit of getting under aprons so bring clothes that wash easily. For the Raku and wood firings some (old ?) long cotton trousers or jeans and a long sleeved cotton shirt are a sensible precaution against sparks. We recommend that you bring trousers and long sleeved shirts or tops for the evenings. There are no longer any legal clothing restrictions, but to avoid causing offence it is probably wise for ladies not to wear anything too short or revealing while in the workshop or out and about. While relaxing on the beach swimsuits, bikinis etc. are quite O.K. All the lodge rooms have umbrellas but a lightweight raincoat or cagoule may be useful for those coming from November to April

Shoes - If you wish to take any of the walking safari options or go walking through the bush then a reasonable pair of light and comfortable ankle boots is recommended. We recommend wearing shoes or boots during Raku and wood kiln firings and when out walking, but on site most people are happy in sandals or “flip-flops”. The latter are available in every market and are particularly suitable for the rainy season.

Suntan Creams and Shampoo these are not always available in Dedza & Nkhotakota so it is best to bring with you what you will need for the visit. However toothpaste, toothbrushes, disposable razors, insect repellent and sanitary pads are available at the lodges.

Small First Aid Kit and any special medicines or creams you require.

Swimming & Snorkelling – Snorkels and Flippers in limited sizes are available at Nkhotakota Pottery, but keen swimmers should probably pack their own.

Torch - A good torch is essential when walking at night. Torches and batteries (sizes D and AA) can be found in Dedza and Nkhotakota town..

Radios and Music Players. Guests are welcome to bring these. In most towns tapes and CDs of local music are available fairly cheaply. There are U.K. type (square pin) power sockets in all the rooms where you will be staying; guests are welcome to plug in any electronic equipment. The electricity supply is a nominal 220/240v but sometimes the voltage varies and any sensitive equipment should be connected through a power protection unit. ( Solatek , U.K. supply a wide range). Most local radio stations are on FM, while the BBC, VOA, etc. are on SW.

Money Matters

Malawian Currency is the Kwacha and this must be used for paying for almost everything. Many towns (Dedza but not Nkhotakota) have Exchange Bureaus that give much better exchange rates than the banks, some will also give cash on debit or credit cards. Travellers Cheques take time to change and the rates are lower than cash. Many towns (Dedza but not Nkhotakota) have ATMs that accept Visa cards. Our Lodges accept payment by any of the following methods and for our guests we also offer a “bureau de change” service for cash or travellers cheques denominated in U.S. Dollars, Euros, Sterling, or South African Rand. We accept the following credit or payment cards; Diners Club International, Visa, Mastercard and JCB. Carrying a small amount of cash in low value US $ notes is useful en route or during the Zambian Safari. Note that dollar notes should be dated 2000 or later.

Keeping in Touch

There is mobile phone network at both Dedza and Nkhotakota Pottery. Internet services for guests are available at Nkhotakota Pottery or, if guests have their own computer they can hire a dongle from the Reception to connect to the internet. Dedza Pottery Lodge and Nkhotakota Safari Lodge (a few minutes walk along the beach from Nkhotakota Pottery have satellite TV for those wishing to keep up to date with international news or sport. Contact phone numbers to leave with family and friends: Malawi International dialling code is +265 (& omit first 0). Nkhotakota Pottery 01 751743 or 0884 581098 email nkhotakotapottery@africa-online.net Dedza Pottery 01 223069 or 0888 853425. Fax 01 223131 email dedzapottery@africa-online.net

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking that guests should have adequate insurance to cover medical, personal injury and loss or damage to personal effects. We recommend that the medical cover should include medical evacuation and that you also have cover in case you have to cancel very late due to unforeseen circumstances.