Money and payments
Cards and cash
Credit/debit cards: MasterCard and Visa are accepted by larger hotels and large supermarkets.
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Africa · Eastern AfricaUsable guideCountry in Southeast Africa
Photo: Panorama_Blick_auf_das_Zomba_Plateau_vom_Ndangopuma_Hügel.jpg: Rockwurm derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Malawi (Chichewa: Malaŵi, Chitumbuka: Malaŵi) is a small, landlocked country in Africa whose eastern border mostly follows Lake Malawi, the third largest lake on the continent. It's described as the "Warm Heart of Africa", referring to the friendliness of the people.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Malawi.
Cards and cash
Credit/debit cards: MasterCard and Visa are accepted by larger hotels and large supermarkets.
English, Chewa
The only official language of Malawi is English. There is no official declared national language of the country, but instead, there are regional languages that are used widely which are Chichewa and Chitumbuka.
SIM cards are available for 200 MK.
Mobile networks
Tap water in major cities like Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu is generally safe.
As with its neighbouring countries malaria can be a problem. The lake is freshwater and is prone to bilharzia, especially in the Cape Maclear area. Symptoms of bilharzia can take months to surface.
Malawi has both patriarchal and matriarchal ethnicities and cultures. In the cities, men tend to be more respected than women, but the reverse might be true in the rural villages depending on ethnicity.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
political capital of Malawi and the seat of government
economic capital and largest city with an interesting downtown, decent nightlife and music, a range of hotels from the elegant to resthouses, and a vibrant street and market culture
the largest town in the North of Malawi. For most it's just a stop for cash and internet en route to or from Nkhata Bay or further south, and the Tanzanian border.
charming town not far from the intriguing Misuku Hills and a short distance from Lake Malawi and growing quickly since the 2009 opening of a uranium mine
medium-sized town, formerly known as Fort Johnston, and a jumping-off point for the resorts and hostels up the coast of Lake Malawi, on the way to peninsular Cape Maclear
Nkhotakota is a town in Central Malawi with a population of just over 20,000, on the shore of Lake Malawi. The town itself is quite basic, with a few basic hotels that cater predominantly to the domestic market.
old colonial capital of Malawi noted for its British colonial architecture, the University of Malawi, and the remarkable Zomba Plateau which rises immediately west of the city
laid back fishing village on the tip of a peninsula jutting out into the southern portion of Lake Malawi. The Cape has excellent, sandy beaches and crystal-clear water perfect for swimming, and is a favourite among backpackers, boaters, and sunseekers. This area, however, is known for having a high level of schistosomiasis and visitors should be well informed.
great aquatic life and a back door to Mozambique. These islands are only reachable to tourists by private boat or the public ferry which only runs 1-2 times each week and is the sole means by which locals can ship supplies to and from the islands; Thus, if you take the ferry to or from Nkhata Bay, purchase a deck or cabin ticket unless you want to be fully immersed in the typical way of life of Malawian transporters.
Mua Village, Mua Mission and the KuNgoni Centre of Culture and Art are in the Dedza district of Malawi.
Zomba is a small town in Malawi about 1 hr from Blantyre. It was the capital of Malawi until Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first president, moved the capital to Lilongwe.
a popular large village as you head up the Lake Road from Mangochi toward Cape Maclear
a rocky bay towards the north of the lake - check into one of the lodges and you could be here for a while
Lake Malawi National Park is in Southern Malawi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Liwonde National Park is in Malawi.
Majete Wildlife Reserve is in the Chikwawa District of Malawi.
Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve is a park in Southern Malawi. It is named for Mount Mulanje, which, at 3002 m, is the highest mountain in southern central Africa.
Malawi's biggest national park is on the 1800m high Nyika Plateau
Ntchisi Forest Reserve is in the Central Region of Malawi.
Places in Malawi on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Northern Malawi lies to the west of the northern half of Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa). It is the least populated region of Malawi.
Central Malawi lies on the southern part of the eastern shores of Lake Malawi and is home to the capital of Lilongwe. Its fairly flat terrain disguises the fact that it is part of the high plateau of central Africa.
Southern Malawi is the southern most region of Malawi, extending south from Lake Malawi (Lake Nyasa) and including Lakes Malombe and Chilwa. It is the most populated region, with the most European influence and the commercial capital of Blantyre.
Public transport and paid services in Malawi.
By bus
By boat
Travelling by boat is surely the most enjoyable mode of getting around in Malawi.
By train
Malawi has a very limited passenger service, with departures about 1-2 times per week between Blantyre and smaller cities in Southern Malawi. No passenger trains serve the capital Lilongwe.
By car
Traffic is a major safety risk. Malawi's road network has improved, but many roads are still in poor condition. The country's car fleet is in poor condition and the traffic culture is uncontrolled.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Malawi.
Finding apps for Malawi…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Lumbadzi · International · LLW
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Lilongwe
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 26° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 26° | 29° | 31° | 31° | 27° |
| Avg. low | 17° | 17° | 16° | 14° | 11° | 9° | 9° | 11° | 14° | 17° | 19° | 18° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 307 | 216 | 151 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 63 | 242 |
| Humidity | 84% | 85% | 85% | 82% | 75% | 71% | 67% | 59% | 51% | 49% | 56% | 76% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$55
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$150
Per person, per day
Luxury
$395
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $25 | $85 | $230 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $30 | $75 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $55 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionto Malawi due to crime and unrest. Crime Violent crime such as theft, burglary, armed robbery, and assault is common. The capabilities of the Malawi Police Service are growing, but its resources and ability to deter and investigate crimes are limited. They also struggle to assist victims and apprehend criminals. Unrest Demonstrations may occur more often because of political issues and events like elections. Tear gas is often used at these protests, and roads might be blocked.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Malawi.
ItinerariesThis itinerary describes the overland route from Cairo, Egypt, to Nairobi, Kenya, by public transport. This is more or less the only surface route from North Africa to East Africa accessible to Westerners, and so most…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesRoute 62 is an important Historical Route that links small farming communities with the two major harbour towns of Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureMany of these parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They can be visited for safaris, to see the African flora and fauna.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAirfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyOld towns in Africa outlines a list of notable old towns in Africa. Most old towns in North and East Africa have an Arabic (or at least Islamic) heritage, but some have an even earlier history.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureScuba diving is an activity in which you swim underwater for extended periods using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, hence the acronym scuba.
Wikivoyage
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