Frequently Asked Questions:

About Safety

What is the safety like in Malawi?
What insurance do I require?

About Medical

What kind of medical facilities are available?
How healthy and fit do I need to be?
What vaccinations do I reqire?

About Financials

When do I have to make payments?
How do I apply?
How do I make payments?
How much personal finance do I need?

About Transport

How will I get to my site each day?
How do I get to Malawi?
What Visa/Passports do I require?

About Projects/Locations

How many others will I be with?
How can I choose what project I want to reward?
Are the start dates fixed?
What is the shortest period I can stay?
Can I transfer between locations?
How long will it take before I know I have been accepted?

About Operations

How can I get my gadgets to work?
What weather can I expect?
What clothing will I need?
What leisure time will I have?
What skills requirement do I need?
What communications systems are available?
Do I need to speak the local language, Chichewa?
Field Support/Operations?

What is the safety like in Malawi?
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Malawi
On the whole Malawi is a very safe country. The people are friendly and welcome visitors. Malawi is one of the very few countries that has not been exposed to civil wars and unrest in the last century, as a result the people are very peaceful. General precautions and common sense should be applied at all times. Further safety advice will be provided on your arrival and during orientation. In the event of an unfortunate incident please inform your Project Contact and your Host know ASAP.

What insurance do I require?
It is compulsory for all Team Players to have Comprehensive Travel Insurance. Bornwild will not accept any applications unless they have Comprehensive Travel Insurance that is valid during their requested stay. It is the Team Players responsibility to ensure that adequate cover is provided. Please note - Malawi is an undeveloped country and therefore local medical services are not always suitable for serious cases so be sure that Medical Evacuation is covered.

Our preferred travel agent Africa Specialists will be able to advice on recommended Travel Insurance policies.

Contact Wendy on email wendy@mostravel.com.au or phone +61 02 9932 4000

If you have any queries and concerns regarding medical insurance please feel free to e-mail info@bornwild.com.au

What kind of medical facilities are available?
Medical facilities are of an average standard compared to developed countries. Bornwild has affiliated itself with quality and respected doctors within the community should any medical services be requested. Bornwild will also use the facilities of a number of the reputed private hospitals in the country if required. Details and contacts of these centres will be provided on arrival in Malawi.

A basic First Aid Kit, is available on site at all projects.

If you have to take any personal medication, we recommend stocking up, your particular medication may not be available in Malawi.

If you have any queries and concerns regarding medical issues please feel free to e-mail info@bornwild.com.au

How healthy and fit do I need to be?
Some of the activities may be physical therefore we do suggest that you are of "suitable" fitness. If you are unsure of your physical abilities in relation to your activities, please discuss matters with your doctor.

Should you have any pre-existing medical conditions of any sort please be sure to include this information with your application form.

Please inform your Host and your Project Contact of any pre-existing medical conditions on your arrival at the project. This is in your best safety interests.

What vaccinations do I reqire?
We recommend that you consult your local Doctor and mention to them where you are intending to travel. We certainly don't want to scare you, but please discuss and consider with your Doctor the following vaccinations:

• Diphtheria and Tetanus
• Polio
• HEP A + B
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Rabies
• Meningitis
• Malaria
• Cholera
• Aids/HIV (No Vaccine)
• Bilharzia
• Malaria (this would be the most commonly contracted illness in Malawi however the chances of contracting Malaria can be prevented by applying mosquito repellent on a regular basis.)

When do I have to make payments?
A non-refundable deposit of $300.00 is due within 2 weeks (14days), of your application approval. The balance is due 21 (twenty-one) days prior to arrival date in Malawi.
Cancellation and Refund Policy

How do I apply?
The application process requires filling out the web based Application Form. Complete the few simple questions read and sign the Terms and Conditions, return the completed form to Bornwild. Our preferred travel agent Africa Specialists will take care of all payment arrangements and enquiries (Airfares and Travel Insurance etc).

Contact Wendy on email wendy@mostravel.com.au or phone +61 02 9932 4000

How do I make payments?
Payments can be made via Credit Card or Direct Debit. All payments are to be made payable to:
          Africa Specialists
          PO Box 54
          Mosman 2088 NSW
          Australia

How much personal finance do I need?
Given that your day to day expenses of 3 meals per day, accommodation and transport are already covered in your pre departure payment, additional finance for personal spending will be at your individual discretion.

• Cokes, water and minerals AUD$.70 cents
• Beers 333 mml CARLSBURG AUD$1.00 dollars

We recommend approximately AUD$100.00 for personal spending per week ie drinks and local purchases.

Large towns/cities have ATM's which accept all cards should you require any cash. We recommend you have approximately MK2,000 (AUD$20.00) on you at all times in case of emergencies.

Should you experience any financial difficulties during your stay, please contact your Host or your Project Contact who will assist to resolve your situation.

How will I get to my site each day?
Most sites are within a maximum of 5km radius of home base. Some projects only require a short walk (15-20min) to the site. Projects that are of further distance may require motorised transport, this will be organised with your Project Contact and your Host for no extra cost. During your leisure time, public transport is available to travel around the country at your own risk. Please seek advice from your Project Host regarding public transport. If you intend to drive, ensure your licence is valid. We recommend you speak to your Host about a few of the interesting local road rules and potential hazards.

How do I get to Malawi?
You will need to travel to Johannesburg to transfer to Malawi. There are several options to fly from Australia to Johannesburg. Contact our preferred travel agent Africa Specialists who can assist with all your travel requirements (Airfares, transfers and Travel Insurance etc). Contact Wendy on email wendy@mostravel.com.au or phone +61 02 9932 4000 - http://www.mostravel.com.au/africa.shtml

A great website for general information on Malawi is www.guide2malawi.com or contact info@bornwild.com.au for any other questions on Malawi.

What Visa/Passports do I require?
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Malawi

Malawi is part of the British Commonwealth therefore some passports do not require a visa. Contact our preferred travel agent and or Embassy/Consulate for further advice. Most passports have up to 3 months (90 Days) access without a visa.

Should you wish to continue your stay in Malawi please consult Your Host a minimum of 3 weeks from start date of your project and provide all necessary details, passport, ticket, reason for staying, there could be an additional fee involved. If part of your experience includes going to the game reserve in Zambia, you will also need to ensure you have the correct visas for Zambia. VISAS for Zambia can be obtained in Malawi or at the border on entering Zambia.

How many others will I be with?
Bornwild can handle up to approximately 10-12 Team Players at any particular time, however only a 10-12 will be placed at each location and there could be as little as one other on a project depending on bookings.

How can I choose what project I want to reward?
From the Conservation and Community there are approximately 9 activities you can assist with. Please refer to Activities for further details

Are the start dates fixed?
All projects start on the 1st and 15th of each month. However, depending on circumstances we will be as flexible as possible accommodate your needs.

What is the shortest period I can stay?
We recommend that the minimum stay is 3 weeks (21 days) in order to make a positive impact. This is especially so for individuals who have never participated in such development activities before as it does take time to acclimatise before making a real impact. However we will accept a minimum stay of two weeks for those who are simply interested in seeing what such development projects involve.

Can I transfer between locations?
The answer is 'YES'. Bornwild prides itself on flexibility and willingness to accommodate. We would be more than happy for you to experience and reward other programs. We do recommend that you spend a minimum of 2 weeks at one particular location in order to make an impact. However, we have designed the programme in a way that most of the activities and principles are interchangeable between the various locations. The only thing that changes is the people you will be impacting.

Discuss your requests with your Host and your Project Contact and where possible Bornwild will arrange it for you. There will be an additional administration and transfer related cost involved of AUD$100.00 per person when making changes that deviate from your original application.

How long will it take before I know I have been accepted?
It may take up to 7 working days from receipt of your correctly completed application until you will be notified if you have been accepted. The majority of applicants are accepted unless there are some unforeseen circumstances. If you have not heard from us after 10 days please e-mail info@bornwild.com.au. Confirmation of your acceptance will be communicated via your preferred choice - e.g. e-mail, phone or post.

How can I get my gadgets to work?
Digital cameras, laptops and mobile phones can all be used in Malawi. Universal adapters are available in Lilongwe and Blantyre.

In some parts of Malawi, particularly during the rainy season electricity can be unreliable so battery power will be needed.

Chinguni Hills, (Liwonde), there is no electricity; the campsite is run on solar systems and paraffin.

Malawi uses the British type, square bayonet three-pin plugs. We recommend you purchase your own adapter.

What weather can I expect?
Malawi has 3 seasons:
Cool Dry - (Masika) May to August
During this period the mornings and evenings are cool and days are warm, not freezing but a jumper/track-suit is recommended
Hot Dry - (Malimwe) September - Mid Novenber
During this period it is hot, particularly if you are situated at Kuti Game Reserve, Lake Malawi and Liwonde Wildlife Park, bring sun-block and a hat.
Hot Wet - (Dzinja) Mid- November to April
During this period it rains a lot. The storms/rainfall are tropical, it is not uncommon for some parts of Malawi to experience up to 40inches of rain in 3-4 months. The vegetation is green and dense. Be prepared to roll up your pants and push vehicles out of mud and getting wet and dirty from time to time.

What clothing will I need?
A hat and sun block is a necessity.

We recommend comfortable casual clothing; shorts and shirts for males during the day would be perfect and a jumper/track-suit in the evenings during winter.

Ladies please take note of the below:

There are no dress regulations in Malawi however, until 1995 women were not permitted to wear short skirts, shorts or trousers. Although these regulations no longer apply, people in the rural communities are still very conservative in their dress codes and always wear dresses or wrap around skirts (below the knees at least). Woman foreigners are therefore requested to respect this and to refrain from over exposing themselves as it can make working in the communities disturbing. Wearing jeans or long pants is acceptable.

Remember you will get dirty, wet and at times covered in mud, be sensible and flexible with your attire.

What leisure time will I have?
Your leisure time will be largely dependant on the projects you are involved in as well as your own personal choices. You are free to choose your own leisure times. There are no set restrictions and timetables for you to adhere. We do expect you be responsible and dedicated to your projects. As a rough guideline we suggest that your day will start approx 8am - 12 noon then approx 2pm to 4pm. There will be plenty of free time from 4pm onwards. If your enthusiasm and passion to contribute is more than the above suggestions, you can be sure to find the activities will consume your time. Preferred working days are Monday to Friday leaving the weekend free to explore. We understand that to make your travels around the country worthwhile and even more memorable you may need to take off a few week days.

What skills requirement do I need?
No specific skills or qualifications are required except for the specialist areas Eg: Doctors, Nurses and Surgeons etc, and the few specified qualifications mentioned under Activities.

What communications systems are available?
Phone communication systems are available at all the locations. We suggest you bring your own mobile phone and charger. Starter packs for prepaid billing can be bought on the street or in village stores for 5 USD. Pre-paid cards can be purchased from as little as US .50 cents. However the average mobile local call is about US .30 cents per minute. International calls are as much as 3 (three) USD per minute. Texting facilities are also available at about US 10 cents per SMS. Receiving international calls on your mobile is usually no problem and a lot cheaper than phoning out. All the locations are covered by cell phone networks. At times the phone systems can be unreliable and frustrating.

Internet cafes are becoming extremely popular but mainly available in the larger towns.

Do I need to speak the local language, Chichewa?
Most Malawians have a solid grasp of the English language, so there is no need for you to learn Chichewa. However learning some basic words and phrases will go a long way to building your rapport with the communities. We have provided you with a very basic starting point (attached).

Language Conversion PDF

Field Support/Operations?
Your Host will be your main point of contact during your time in Malawi. All our field support Project Contact's members have a vast amount of knowledge on their specific project and on Malawi. Should you have any concerns what so ever please contact them.