It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.

Most visits to Malawi are trouble-free, but you should take sensible precautions to protect yourself from muggers and bag-snatchers. Most thefts from visitors take place around the main bus stations in Lilongwe and Blantyre. See Crime

You will need a visa to enter Malawi as a visitor. See Visas

Since March 2020 there have been reports of possible incidents of unrest and violence in rural areas of Mulanje, linked to rumours of bloodsuckers. This is further to similar incidents of violence and unrest reported in 2017 and 2018. See Local travel

Terrorist attacks in Malawi can’t be ruled out See Terrorism

The rainy season runs from November to April and can make roads harder to pass, and make some areas impassable. Flooding is also a possibility. See Natural disasters

More information can be found at the Malawi’s Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Service twitter account

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

Tropical Cyclone Freddy, is returning across Southern Africa and highly likely to affect southern parts of Malawi from Saturday,11th March 2023. There is a high likelihood that Freddy will be associated with damaging winds, significant rainfall, and flooding from Saturday onwards. Some of the districts that might be affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy are likely to include: Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Mwanza, Neno, Nsanje, Phalombe,Thyolo and Zomba. Travel, including road and domestic air travel could be affected. You should take extreme care avoiding unnecessary travel to regions affected by the Tropical storm, including road and air travel as the storm passes over Malawi. Please consult the links and guidance above for up-to-date weather information and advice.