Reality Brief: Blantyre

Current alerts

No official alerts recorded for this region.

Essentials before you arrive

• Since 3 January 2026, French nationals need a visa: e-visa at evisa.gov.mw (documents, card payment, PDF to print), or on arrival at the airport with the same documents since February 2026. Fees: 50 USD single entry, 150 USD for 6 months and 250 USD for 12 months multiple entry; bring US dollars in cash.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Malawi travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Malawi travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence

• Declare all foreign currency on arrival and departure: otherwise, you may be detained or have your passport confiscated.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: MalawiGuide: Entry and residence

• Ambulance 998, fire 999, police 990 or 997; these numbers are unreliable, ask your hotel for local numbers.

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Malawi travel advice: getting helpGuide: Health

• One of the highest road accident rates in Africa and very limited emergency assistance: poor roads, animals, pedestrians and cyclists. Do not drive at night outside towns and avoid minibuses. Drink-driving: up to 5 years in prison. 4x4 thefts are common.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, safetyFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, useful informationGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The currency is the Malawian kwacha (MWK). The economy is mainly cash-based and US dollars are widely accepted; cards are not widely accepted outside major towns.

  Government of Canada, Travel advice: MalawiGuide: Money and banking

• Drugs: 10 to 25 years in prison. Homosexuality is criminalised; buying rough gemstones is illegal. Do not photograph military sites, religious or government buildings, airports or bridges, and ask people before photographing them.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, useful informationGuide: Daily life and local laws

Living in Blantyre

• Theft in crowded places (bus stations, markets) and tourist spots (Nkhata Bay, Zomba, Senga Bay, Cape Maclear, Mzuzu). At night, take extra care in Blantyre and Lilongwe (carjackings, assaults). Watch your luggage: drugs may be hidden in it without your knowledge.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

• The Mulanje massif is dangerous: the weather changes abruptly and assaults have occurred. In parks, never leave the vehicle.

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies

Field experience

• Tip

  Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (6), clinics (2), hospitals (32). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.

• Tip

  Where to shop for food

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (14), supermarkets (30). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.

• Tip

  Banks, cash machines and exchange

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (31), cash machines (9). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.

• Tip

  A shop for your SIM card

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (4). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.

• Tip

  A furnished flat for the first weeks

  Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (5). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.

• Emergency numbers

  Ambulance 998, fire 999, police 990 or 997.

  998999990997

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Malawi travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026

• Honorary consul of France in Malawi

  Passport: France

  Maison de la France, Blantyre.

  Maison de la France, Kaohsiung Road, Top Mandala, Blantyre+265 991 719 209+265 999 919 056

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026