Travel advice for Malawi

Australia advises a high degree of caution for Malawi.

Exercise caution in Malawi, avoid crowds and demonstrations, and do not travel after dark. Carjacking, roadblocks demanding money, armed robbery and violent street begging are risks, and police support may be unavailable. Take extra care in Lilongwe, Blantyre, Senga Bay, Nkhata Bay and Cape Maclear. Do not stop at roadblocks without uniformed personnel, and hike Zomba Plateau and Mulanje Massif only in larger groups or with local guides.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Malawi because fuel shortages may disrupt transport, electricity, telecommunications and other services, while petty and violent crime occur. Take extra travel time, maintain fuel supplies, and drive defensively because roads are poor, police patrols are rare, and roadblocks are common. Violent crime is especially concerning in Lilongwe and Blantyre, and travellers have faced intimidation and violence in Mulanje district.

Exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Malawi, especially after dark and in rural areas. Be alert to unrest, mugging, theft, residential break-ins, organised robbery and car jacking, and avoid driving outside cities after dark because roads, lighting and vehicles create serious risks. Take extra care at bus stations in Lilongwe and Blantyre and at the Ilala ferry. Irish passport holders must obtain a visa in advance.

Take sufficient care when travelling anywhere in Malawi and avoid going out at night. Petty crime, including theft, pickpocketing, robbery and break-ins, occurs, with most Japanese victims affected in Lilongwe or Blantyre. Demonstrations can become violent, involving roadblocks, stone throwing, arson and looting, while power shortages leave streets unlit and vehicles vulnerable to ambush.

Exercise caution in Malawi, avoiding demonstrations and crowds, especially in Lilongwe and large cities, where violence can occur; be alert for possible terrorist attacks. Watch for theft at markets and bus stations, especially after dark on Lilongwe and Blantyre outskirts. Drugs carry severe penalties; LGBTQ+ travellers risk discrimination; same sex sexual acts can lead to long imprisonment. Floods can block roads, so use a local guide in the Mulanje mountains.

Exercise increased caution in Malawi and avoid border areas with Tanzania and Mozambique. Economic hardship can trigger unrest, and protests may bring violence, roadblocks and looting. Theft, car hijacking, kidnapping and food or drink drugging are also risks, as is terrorism. Avoid demonstrations, use precautions against malaria and cholera, seek local safety advice before climbing Mulanje Mountain, and note poor roads, public transport, fuel supplies and healthcare.

Exercise increased caution in Malawi because of crime and unrest. Violent crime such as theft, burglary, armed robbery and assault is common, while police have limited resources and capacity to deter crime, investigate it and assist victims. Demonstrations may occur, often using tear gas and sometimes blocking roads.

Exercise normal precautions because travel in Malawi is generally safe when usual precautions are followed. Malawi announced an MPOX outbreak in April 2025, with 48 cases registered, and preventive measures are in force. The outbreak need not prevent travel plans for Tanzania, but travellers are strongly advised to consult MPOX information.

Take normal precautions. Estonia has no representation in Malawi, so consult other countries' travel information. Estonian citizens need a visa to travel to Malawi. Drivers must hold a valid Estonian driving licence and an international driving permit in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

Germany advises normal precautions for Malawi.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Malawi.

No advisory is in force for Malawi. Singapore nationals do not require a visa, but should check for changing entry restrictions and ensure their passport has at least six months’ validity at the expected date of departure. Because Singapore has no diplomatic representation in Malawi, consular assistance in an emergency may be constrained, and Singaporeans should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

No warning is in force for Malawi. British citizens need a visa, available on arrival, and a passport valid for 6 months after arrival; yellow fever vaccination may be required depending on origin, and polio vaccination in some circumstances. All arriving passengers must complete a traveller health check. Declare restricted or taxable goods and large amounts of foreign currency, and note that emergency numbers are unreliable.