malawi

Malawi Travel Guide

Today in Malawi: Good Friday (29 Mar)
Trek Zone
moni
( Chichewa)
Say hello
81°F
Saturday
80°F
Sunday

Tourist season

Are March and April good months to visit Malawi?

3

March

Shoulder
season

4

April

Semi-high
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Malawi for tourism.

Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 52 to 59 USD

Tourist's budget
from 63 to 89 USD

Did you know?

The population of Malawi is around 19.13 mil., which puts the country in 142. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Lilongwe (MW) and Washington D.C. (US) is 7933 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Lilongwe click here

Lilongwe
Lilongwe
Blantyre
Mzuzu
Zomba
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
7933
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Malawi to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

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Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Malawi on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

2

Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution.

Update: 25 Mar 2024

Upcoming holidays

1 April 2024• Easter Monday

10 April 2024• Eid al-Fitr

Currency

Kwacha (MWK) - rate compared to selected currencies

1000 MWK
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.53368
1873799
GBP
0.45604
2192803
USD
0.57575
1736873
Update: 29 Mar 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Malawi

Map
Distance matrix
MilesLilongweBlantyreZombaMulanje Mountain Forest ReserveMangochiLengwe National ParkMuaMajete Game Reserve
Lilongwe-15014218410617154149
Blantyre150-3543923710929
Zomba14235-4363719362
Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve1844343-1036413668
Mangochi1069263103-12752111
Lengwe National Park171377164127-13822
Mua541099313652138-117
Majete Game Reserve14929626811122117-

Best Ways to Experience Malawi

  • Cuisine
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 52 to 59 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 63 to 89 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Malawi via the Prices link

Currency

More

Kwacha (MWK)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • MWK
  • USD
MWK
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • MWK
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 29 March 2024
KwachaKwachaKwachaKwachaKwachaKwacha

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Malawi.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Malawi

Umiarkowane

Areas with malaria

All

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Cholera

Cholera is a disease of the digestive tract caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.The most common infection occurs through the ingestion, mainly through water contaminated with human faeces, and also through food (mainly fruit, seafood). Less often by contact with the sick person and their environment.
Prevention
  • Eat and drink safely
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagMalawi for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

  • From October 1, 2015, visitors are generally advised to obtain a visa in advance.

Electricity

230V (50 Hz)

In Malawi the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type G sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket GType G

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

142 / 231
Ranking
19 129 952
Chewa 32.6%, Lomwe 17.6%, Yao 13.5%, Ngoni 11.5%, Tumbuka 8.8%, Nyanja 5.8%, Sena 3.6%, Tonga 2.1%, Ngonde 1%

Area

143 / 232
Ranking
45.7 thous. mi²
It is approximately 1% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

138 / 221
Ranking
72.2
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 69women 75.3

Median age

138 / 222
Ranking
16.8
Average age of population expressed in years.men 16.7women 16.9

Population growth

137 / 224
Ranking
2.39%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

130 / 210
Ranking
62.1%
Ability to read, write and count.men 69.8%women 55.2%

GDP

121 / 194
Ranking
1 591 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Mozambique, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder