So how does one get around in Malawi?? There are a number of options…
Bike taxi:
Minibus: The minibuses are the main mode of transportation. The vehicles in Lilongwe and Blantyre are in pretty good condition, but the ones in the outer areas have seen better days and are on their 3rd or 4th life. These are the small vans and have 5 rows of benches inside. The most people I have seen in a minibus is 27 adults and 5 babies – Yikes!!
These travel very fast on the main highway and they are involved in a lot of accidents with many fatalities each time. I travel in the minibuses on the outer roads, but not on the main highway.
Matolas- these are any type of vehicle that will take passengers for a small fee. If you are desperate for a lift, then you are happy to take a ride:
Mozambique has different matolas than Malawi. The one I Mozambique consist 2 benches in the back that face each other. The people sit on these benches and load all goods and about 20 more people in the middle.
Buses loaded down with everything imaginable:
Trucks are usually overfilled filled with goods:
Even the bikes are used to transport goods throughout Malawi:
