Practical Information for visiting Malawi

Money & Payments

The currency is the Malawi kwacha, MWK, divided into 100 tambala, issued by the Reserve Bank of Malawi and floating since 1994. The economy is predominantly cash-based and US dollars are widely accepted; the visa on arrival is paid in US dollars cash. All foreign currency must be declared on arrival and departure, and the authorities may detain a visitor or confiscate a passport for failing to do so. Card acceptance, ATMs and tipping are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page; assume cash outside the cities.

Stay Safe (2026 security update)

Canada advises a high degree of caution in Malawi because of crime. Petty theft -- pickpocketing and bag-snatching -- occurs regularly and is frequent in markets and high-density residential areas, the main bus stations of Lilongwe and Blantyre, the Ilala ferry terminals, street-side restaurant patios and hotels. The British advisory adds burglary and violent assault, including by armed gangs: a group of UK tourists was violently assaulted and robbed in their hotel in Mulanje in 2025, and break-ins in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Limbe have increased, including violent assaults on residents. There are occasional kidnappings for ransom, some of them of British nationals. Anyone climbing Mulanje should get security advice from the Mountain Club of Malawi first.

On the road: no night driving, stop at every roadblock, carry ID. Demonstrations over political and economic issues can turn violent. Terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal under a law Canada records as currently suspended; public affection draws unwanted attention regardless.

Health Considerations

Malawi had the largest cholera outbreak in its history in late 2022 and early 2023, and cases are likely to rise again in each rainy season; tap water may not be safe to drink, especially in rural areas. Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of the country. A yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a transmission-risk country and a polio certificate in some circumstances; every arrival completes the Ministry of Health's Traveller Health Check form. Medical facilities cannot provide the same standard of care as at home, rural facilities are basic, emergency services limited, and many facilities expect up-front payment; carry basic supplies and insurance that covers evacuation. Medical assistance is on 998. Malaria, bilharzia and mpox are questions for a travel clinic: the advisory pages opened list mpox and biting insects among the risks, and this page does not state what they did not.

Local Laws & Etiquette

Photography of sensitive installations is prohibited -- military sites, government buildings, airports, bridges and places of worship -- and permission should be sought before photographing people. Identification: police sometimes ask to see ID at roadblocks; carry a copy of your passport and visa.

Currency must be declared in full on arrival and departure. Imports and exports: drugs, pornographic material and ivory are illegal to bring in or out; uncut precious gemstones are illegal to buy or export; a licence is needed to import hunting firearms.

Drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal under Malawian law, which Canada records as currently suspended and Britain as carrying a custodial sentence. Dress conservatively outside the main tourist areas, behave discreetly and avoid public displays of affection. Driving: breathalysers, speed cameras, on-the-spot fines, and confiscation of licence and vehicle for drink-driving or speeding.

Verified against Global Affairs Canada, September 2026.

Emergency Information

Emergency numbers: police 997 or 990, medical assistance 998, firefighters 999.

Medical: rural facilities are basic and emergency services limited; many facilities expect payment up front; evacuation must be insured. Roads: roadside assistance is very limited, so carry fuel, water and a charged phone.

Mulanje: security and route advice from the Mountain Club of Malawi before climbing.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Global Affairs Canada — Photography of military sites, government buildings, airports, bridges and places of worship is prohibited; importing or exporting drugs, pornography and ivory is illegal; buying or exporting uncut precious stones is illegal; the same-sex law is currently suspended; dress conservatively and avoid public displays of affection; an online health declaration is required before travel, The currency is the Malawi kwacha; the economy is predominantly cash-based; US dollars are widely accepted; all foreign currency must be declared on arrival and departure or the traveller may be detained or have the passport confiscated, Emergency numbers: police 997 or 990, medical assistance 998, firefighters 999, Wildlife viewing poses risks, particularly on foot or at close range; use reputable guides, keep a safe distance and leave the vehicle only when a guide or warden says, Emergency numbers: police 997 or 990, medical assistance 998, firefighters 999, Canada advises a high degree of caution because of crime; petty theft occurs regularly and is frequent in markets, high-density areas, the main bus stations of Lilongwe and Blantyre, the Ilala ferry terminals, street-side restaurants and hotels, Avoid driving at night; roadblocks are common throughout the country and must be stopped at even if unattended, with ID ready; minibuses are not recommended; some Lake Malawi ferries have poor safety measures and an overloaded or unseaworthy one should not be boarded; fuel shortages are frequent; tourist infrastructure is limited outside major centres, Photography of military sites, government buildings, airports, bridges and places of worship is prohibited; importing or exporting drugs, pornography and ivory is illegal; buying or exporting uncut precious stones is illegal; the same-sex law is currently suspended; dress conservatively and avoid public displays of affection; an online health declaration is required before travel, The currency is the Malawi kwacha; the economy is predominantly cash-based; US dollars are widely accepted; all foreign currency must be declared on arrival and departure or the traveller may be detained or have the passport confiscated (September 2026).
Checked against UK Government (GOV.UK; FCDO travel advice abroad) — Police sometimes ask for ID, so carry a copy of passport and visa; dress conservatively outside tourist areas; drug penalties including for cannabis are severe; buying uncut gemstones is illegal; same-sex sexual activity is illegal and may bring a custodial sentence, An international driving permit is valid for a year and the licence must be carried for checkpoints; fuel shortages are frequent with long queues; police breathalyse, run speed cameras on main roads often without signs, fine on the spot, and can confiscate licences and vehicles for drink-driving or speeding, Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Malawi; the largest cholera outbreak in the country's history occurred in late 2022 and early 2023 and cases rise in the rainy season; tap water may not be safe especially in rural areas; rural facilities are basic, emergency services limited, and many facilities expect up-front payment, A visa is required; single or multiple entry visas are available on arrival for US dollars cash: US$50 single entry, US$150 six-month multiple, US$250 one-year multiple; e-visas online; passport valid six months beyond arrival; yellow fever certificate if from a risk country, polio in some circumstances; the Traveller Health Check form is completed on arrival by QR code or in advance, Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Malawi; the largest cholera outbreak in the country's history occurred in late 2022 and early 2023 and cases rise in the rainy season; tap water may not be safe especially in rural areas; rural facilities are basic, emergency services limited, and many facilities expect up-front payment, Occasional kidnappings for ransom, some of British nationals; burglary and violent assault including by armed gangs, with UK tourists assaulted and robbed in a Mulanje hotel in 2025 and more break-ins in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Limbe; get security advice from the Mountain Club of Malawi before climbing Mulanje, Occasional kidnappings for ransom, some of British nationals; burglary and violent assault including by armed gangs, with UK tourists assaulted and robbed in a Mulanje hotel in 2025 and more break-ins in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Limbe; get security advice from the Mountain Club of Malawi before climbing Mulanje, Police sometimes ask for ID, so carry a copy of passport and visa; dress conservatively outside tourist areas; drug penalties including for cannabis are severe; buying uncut gemstones is illegal; same-sex sexual activity is illegal and may bring a custodial sentence, A visa is required; single or multiple entry visas are available on arrival for US dollars cash: US$50 single entry, US$150 six-month multiple, US$250 one-year multiple; e-visas online; passport valid six months beyond arrival; yellow fever certificate if from a risk country, polio in some circumstances; the Traveller Health Check form is completed on arrival by QR code or in advance (September 2026).