UK passport holders require a visa for Malawi. This can be obtained on arrival, but in order to avoid potentially lengthy queues we recommend that you obtain your visa prior to travel.

As of Nov 2019, Malawi has introduced an eVisa service. This allows you to apply for your visa online, and does not require you to send your passport in the post. Please visit the Malawi eVisa portal for further details.

Please note that your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your entry date into the country. If you are spending any time in South Africa, you must have 2 blank passport pages opposite each other to enter the country.

For non-UK citizens, please check with the Malawian Embassy in your country of origin for the latest guidelines.

When to Travel

Malawi’s dry season is from May to November. The wet season runs from mid-November to late April. During the rainy season the temperature is humid although less rain falls along the shore of Lake Malawi. Daily temperatures in the lower areas average around 21 degrees in January and 26 degrees in July. In the highland areas average daytime temperatures vary between 10 degrees in July and 20 degrees in September. Night time temperatures on the highlands are generally low.

Health and Immunisation

At the time of writing there are no compulsory vaccinations required for Malawi. However, we do recommend vaccinations against Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio and Hepatitis A. All travellers who have travelled through, or from countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas MUST provide an international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever upon arrival into Malawi. Good protection against malaria is strongly recommended. Most importantly - insect bite precautions e.g. insect repellent containing DEET (Autan, Jungle Formula or Pure DEET). However medical requirements are subject to change and it is advisable to check with your local travel clinic before travelling. Strict observance of all medical requirements are a must and we strongly recommend that you obtain a medical kit to carry with you. It is also very important to remember not to swim in rivers or lakes without checking with your guide that it is safe to do so. Cases of bilharzia have been reported around Lake Malawi, however these are uncommon around the shores frequented by tourists.

Currency and Tipping

Currency is the Malawian kwancha, however US dollars are widely accepted. A good supply of $1 dollar bills, obtained before leaving the UK, will help with tipping. Do not rely on credit cards or ATMs as they are not always available. Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries and bartering is commonplace in the markets. Sellers are often interested in trading goods - clothes or toiletries (shampoo, deodorants, perfume) - to reduce the price. However, try to give the seller a fair deal and don’t take advantage, Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries.