Malawi Travel Safety

General safety

Do not accept food or drink from strangers as it could be drugged. Do not leave your luggage unattended. Tourist facilities are limited outside of major centres. Exercise great caution, especially on buses, at bus stops, and while hiking, or when approached by persons who wish to befriend you, help you, or become your tour guide.

Precautions

Do not show signs of affluence. Avoid walking alone at night. Muggings have resulted in the loss of travel and identification documents. Carry copies of your passport identification page and other travel documents and place the originals in safekeeping facilities. Residential break-ins and carjackings are prevalent throughout the country. Organized robberies and attacks by gangsters occur and may target foreigners. Carjackings often occur when a vehicle is stopped, for example, when waiting to enter at a compound vehicle gate, at intersections, or in traffic. In Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, as well as in Blantyre, Zomba and Mzuzu, there are reports of a gang of men attacking women wearing pants, leggings and short skirts. The women are stripped and robbed. Women travellers in these areas should avoid wearing close fitting clothing and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Road safety

The traffic-related death rate is high. Avoid driving outside cities after dark. Emergency roadside assistance is very limited. Armed carjackings, particularly of four-wheel-drive vehicles, have occurred. You should not resist if threatened by carjackers. Always wear seat belts. Keep windows closed and doors locked and never leave your personal belongings in a vehicle. Hitch hiking or taking matola (informal lifts in the back of open vehicles) is considered dangerous. Poor road conditions, poorly maintained vehicles, and inadequate street lighting make driving dangerous. Potholes, pedestrians, animals, abandoned vehicles and vehicles travelling at night without lights also pose risks.

Public transportation

Public transport is poor maintained and limited in rural areas. There are regular flights and bus services between Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. Travel by minibus between cities is not recommended, as they are overcrowded.

Women's safety

Malawi is generally safe, women travelling alone should maintain personal security awareness. Women, particularly foreigners may be subject to unwanted male attention and catcalls in certain places. Be vigilant if approached by strangers seeking assistance and exercise common precautions throughout your travel.

Crime

Violent robberies and petty crime, such as pickpocketing, mugging and bag-snatching, occur. Con artists are active in major cities and tourist destinations such as Blantyre, Cape Maclear, Nkhata Bay, Senga Bay, Mzuzu and Zomba. Tourists are particularly targeted on Kenyatta Drive, walking between the Old Town and the Capital City, at the main bus station in both Lilongwe and Blantyre as well as at the main ports for the Ilala ferry.

Culture

As in many African countries, Malawian culture is generally conservative and respectful of elders. Respect religious beliefs and social conventions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour.

LGBT

The laws of Malawi prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Those convicted can face lenghty imprisonment and heavy fines. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Malawi.

Illegal or restricted activities

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a license. Buying uncut precious stones is illegal. Those caught purchasing or trafficking such goods will be prosecuted and receive prison sentences or fines. Drug taking and smuggling are offences.

Driving

Traffic drives on the left. An International Driving Permit is recommended. Penalties for drunk driving and speeding are severe in Malawi. It is illegal to talk on a mobile phone while driving.