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Info on fuel crisis in Malawi Info on fuel crisis in Malawi
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sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 3 May 2012
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Info on fuel crisis in Malawi
Traveled south-africa, namibia, botswana and now in zimbabwe. Next week we enter malawi (a friend is visiting us there, so we cannot avoid malawi). Malawi has been in the news now because of a new president (other died suddenly) and for fuel shortages.

Can anyone tell me if that means that I sometimes have to wait for one hour. Or is it more a day or even a week to get filled up again.

Usefull to cross the border for this, get fuel in neighboring country and get back?
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  #2  
Old 3 May 2012
m2m m2m is offline
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I was in Malawi a couple of months ago. You can find petrol on the black market by asking around. Petrol stations can be without petrol for weeks and normally run out after a day or two when they do receive some.
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  #3  
Old 4 May 2012
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Hi,
Do you know what the situation is regarding brining in fuel for transiting through Malawi?

We have an 80L tank on our 4x4 but will also have 5x20L Diesel jerry cans. We basically plan to enter from Zambia, travel around a bit and then exit into Mozambique.

Has anyone heard of any licensing requirement? (+ cost or any additional information)

Cheers,
Mike
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  #4  
Old 4 May 2012
m2m m2m is offline
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Don't think you will have any problem with just 2 jerry cans...but try to put them out sight of Customs just in case.
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  #5  
Old 13 May 2012
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Ok, entered malawi yesterday. Some thing to help you get along:

Money:
Exchange rate:
1USD = 248
1 eur = 320
=> there was a devalutaion last week of the kwacha! So don't get screwed at the border when changing money.
Largest bill is 500 kwacha (=2USD), so you carry quite a pack of paper

Visa: free
Temp import document = 5000 (car/motor) or enter with a carnet (free)

Gasoline: a lot has changed since the president died last month. Gasoline is now available for 490 kwacha/liter (yes, very expensive). Some filling stations state 390/liter, but I only've put fuel at the first station.

The customs didn't bother me about the jerrycan I was carrying.

succes!
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  #6  
Old 13 May 2012
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A MASSIVE THANKYOU!!
Im so happy someone finally went in and found out for all of us!
Im heading south and didnt want to leave this country off my list because of a few stories so THANK YOU for doing so!!
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  #7  
Old 14 May 2012
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no problem. Gas is indeed 490 everywhere.

I bought insurance at the border (border between zambia and Lolangwe). It was 3500/month.

And a lot is happening now in malawi, so keep track of the news.
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  #8  
Old 14 May 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kjiratsiekoedel View Post

Gasoline: a lot has changed since the president died last month. Gasoline is now available for 490 kwacha/liter (yes, very expensive). Some filling stations state 390/liter, but I only've put fuel at the first station.
Cheap by UK standards of pricing.

An interesting update about Malawi & things can always be tumultuous when heads of state change.
We live in interesting times.
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  #9  
Old 3 Jun 2012
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Just a quick note about the exchange rate. There is a big difference between the official and unofficial exchange rates. Withdrawing money from an ATM/cashpoint will be a lot more expressive than on the black market. But know your rates first

Its a beautiful country with very friendly people, don't let the fuel problems stop you from going
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  #10  
Old 17 Jun 2012
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Thanks for the update, was in Malawi in January and had to leave country to get fuel. The problem as I saw it was currency was locked in at 180 to US$ so no one would sell them fuel. the devaluation should fix that. Plan to head back that way in late November and it will be good to see the country with out worry about fuel. As per cost the black market was as high as 50 R (over$4) per L.

Ride on
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