Practical guides: Malawi
Getting around
Driving licence, road conditions, public transport and domestic flights.
Public transport
France, Canada and the UK advise against minibuses, which are often overloaded and poorly maintained.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, useful informationGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: MalawiGOV.UK (FCDO), Malawi travel advice: safety and security
Driving licence
Carry an international driving permit.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Malawi
Driving locally
Road safety is poor and fatal accidents are frequent, made worse by the lack of emergency care; police rarely patrol. Hitchhiking and "matola" (rides in the back of open vehicles) are dangerous.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Malawi
Other transport
Long-distance buses between major cities are generally safe; minibuses, overcrowded and poorly maintained, are not recommended. Do not board a Lake Malawi ferry that looks overloaded.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Malawi
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Malawi, useful information · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Government of Canada, Travel advice: Malawi · Source updated: September 9, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Malawi travel advice: safety and security · Source updated: July 3, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.