Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Malawi
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Nightclub pickpocketing
Pickpockets operate within bars and nightclubs. Carry minimal cash and avoid bringing cameras or large amounts of money to these venues.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Homosexuality prohibition
Homosexuality is prohibited by law. LGBT couples must exercise discretion to avoid arrest and potential sentencing to hard labor.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Polio
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Chikungunya, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Monkeypox, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Visitors to Malawi must obtain an e-Visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or countries eligible for visa on arrival.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Malawi attacks cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and may result in a custodial sentence. Malawi is a socially conservative society and showing affection in public may receive unwanted and negative attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
- Journalist accuses Kamangila of shielding kidnap network to smear Attorney General Mbeta - Featured News Malawi2026-09-22
- Malawi kidnapping wave exposes cracks in police accountability - Featured News Malawi2026-09-21
- CHRR demands answers over recent abductions2026-09-20
- Six suspects at large in British national abduction2026-09-20
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
G · 230V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 997 / ambulance: 998 / fire: 999
Cash vs. Card
The local currency is the Malawi kwacha, sometimes abbreviated "MK" (ISO international currency code: MWK). The currency is freely convertible (but impossible to get rid of outside of the country). Coins of Malawi are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 kwacha. Banknotes of Malawi are issued in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 kwacha.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-11-07
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-11-07
- ca-gac — observed 2026-11-07
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-11-07
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-11-07
- cdc-health — observed 2026-11-07
- reddit — observed 2026-11-07
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-11-07