Malawi visa requirements for Namibians

Travel and visa requirements

Malawian Visa is not required for Namibians

Stay Duration: 90 days

Entry Requirements

  • Citizens of Namibia can stay in Malawi for 90 days without a visa.
  • All visitors should have a valid passport for at least six months beyond their stay in Malawi with a blank page for stamps and endorsements.
  • Malawi is generally described as the Warm Heart of Africa because of the friendliness and welcoming spirit of its people.
  • They are considered as the country's greatest assets and it is impossible not to engage with the people during a visit.
  • Lake Malawi is the third-largest lake in Malawi. The first two are Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika.
  • Tourists are required to have a return or onward ticket and proof of enough funds to spend during their stay.
  • Malawi operates a multi-party democracy system and Lilongwe is its political capital and seat of the government.
  • The previous international departure tax of USD30 is now included in the airfare.
  • There are about 4 religions in Malawi but Christianity is the most prevalent. 55% of the citizens are Protestant Christians, 20% are Roman Catholics, another 20% are Muslims, 3% indigenous beliefs and 2% of other religions.
  • Visitors can move around Malawi in buses, cars, boats, planes and taxis. Trains no longer operate in Malawi but the roads are good so getting around with buses or cars is easy.
  • The official languages of Malawi are English and Chichewa. English is spoken majorly in official situations and by upper-class citizens but Chichewa is the first language of the population.
  • Local currency is the Malawi kwacha, symbolized as MWK. Visitors can exchange their foreign currencies for MWK at banks or exchange outlets in the country.
  • Tap water in major cities in Malawi is considered safe to drink, but visitors that are highly disease-prone can buy bottled water in stores around Malawi.
  • The power plugs and sockets in Malawi are of type G. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz (UK plug).
  • The best way to get from Namibia to Malawi is by plane which takes 6hours 19minutes and costs between $120 - $600. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $1,190 - $1,230 and takes about 2 days 2 hours.
  • South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Proflight Zambia fly from Lilongwe(Malawi) to Windhoek(Namibia) once daily.
  • The southern part of Malawi has the best known highlands - Mulanje Massif and Zomba Plateau.
  • Outside restaurants in the major cities, it will be difficult to find proper washrooms with running water. Most visitors bring small bottles of anti-bacterial hand soap with them.
  • Malawi has both patriarchal and matriarchal ethnicities and cultures.
  • It is a common culture for Malawi men to hold hands when talking in groups so visitors should not be alarmed when they notice this.
  • When approaching Malawians, always greet them and ask how they are doing first because Malawians consider this respectful and respect is very important in Malawi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tip in Malawi?

Generally, tipping is not accepted in Malawi but can be done voluntarily on rare occasions. Some restaurants would add a service charge to your bills and in that case, you do not have to tip. If you go to tourist sights, your tour guide, waiters, chef. etc can be tipped. It is advisable to tip once, at the end of your stay at each safari camp or lodge and not at the end of each activity, or every day.

Are foreigners allowed to buy property in Malawi?

No. Foreigners are forbidden to buy landed properties in Malawi. The law permits only locals of the country to buy land. Foreign investors are advised to partner with Malawian firms or organizations if they want to acquire a property.

Is the healthcare in Malawi good?

Although the Government of Malawi provides free healthcare to all citizens at the point of delivery, healthcare in Malawi lacks adequate resources and cannot tackle problems such as malaria, infant mortality and other raging diseases that plague the population.

Are credit cards accepted in Malawi?

Visa cards are accepted by a few restaurants, hotels and supermarkets in Malawi which would incur a 5% - 10% extra charge to your bill. Mastercards on the other hand are less commonly accepted.

Is Malawi safe for tourists?

Yes. Malawi is one of the safest places in the world so tourists do not need to worry about being hurt during a trip. Despite this fact, tourists are still to ensure that they protect their belongings and take sensible precautions at all times.