Malawi Tours & Vacations

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Some foreign nationals – including those from Australia, Ireland, Belgium, the UK and the USA – will be required to obtain a visa prior to traveling to Malawi. Certain nationalities may be able to obtain a visa on arrival. Please check with your nearest Malawi Embassy for more information.

Tipping is generally left up to the discretion of the customer, however if the service in a cafe or restaurant is good, feel free to leave spare change or round up the bill. Many service workers in Malawi receive low wages, so tipping waiters, porters and drivers is considered generous.

Travelers will be able to access the internet at cyber cafes or hotels in Malawi's large cities and towns frequented by tourists. Expect little to no internet access in remote and rural areas.

Cell phone coverage is generally available in Malawi's large cities and tourist towns. Rural and remote areas may have less network coverage. Remember to activate global roaming with your service provider before leaving home.

Malawi has a mix of squat toilets and flushable toilets. As a developing nation, expect to adjust to different levels of sanitation. Always carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer as these are rarely provided.

• Cup of coffee in a cafe = 210 MWK
• Beer in a bar or restaurant = 140 MWK
• Basic, takeaway lunch = 350 MWK
• Dinner in an inexpensive restaurant = From 420 MWK

Tap water isn't considered safe for tourists to drink. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Ask your leader and accommodation provider for local advice on where drinking water can be accessed. Also, avoid ice in drinks and peel fruit before eating.

Credit cards are used in Malawi's major cities but on a limited basis. Large hotels, restaurants and tourist service providers usually accept credit cards, but expect smaller operators and shops to accept cash only.

ATMs are quite limited, but can be found in Malawi's major cities and areas frequented by tourists. If traveling through rural and remote areas, be aware that there will be limited or no access to ATMs.

• 1 Jan New Year's Day

• 2 Jan New Year's Day Holiday
• 15 Jan John Chilembwe Day
• John Chilembwe Day Holiday*
• 3 Mar Martyrs' Day
• Good Friday*
• Easter Saturday*
• Easter Monday*
• 1 May Labour Day
• 14 May President Kamuzu Banda's Birthday
• Eid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan*
• Eid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan*
• 6 Jul Independence Day
• Mother's Day*
• 25 Dec Christmas Day
• 26 Dec Boxing Day

*Please note these dates may vary. For a current list of public holidays in Malawi go to World Travel Guide's website.

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travelers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travelers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance