Health Requirements
Most hospitals and clinics will require cash payments for any treatments, so be prepared!  Bring any medicines you might require, particularly prescription medication.

• Food and water: Take the utmost care with everything you eat and drink – do not eat anything straight after purchasing it off the streets, drink only bottled water and follow the “wash it, peel it, boil it” rule. Most travellers suffer a bout of Traveller’s Diarrhoea as a result of food that is not properly washed or contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites which could cause a range of diseases from diarrhoea and vomiting to cholera and typhoid fever. In Malawi, milk is generally unpasteurised and you should only drink it if it has been boiled. Avoid ice unless you know that it was made from boiled water. Avoid dairy products unless you know that the milk was boiled. When eating at restaurants and cafés, stick to hot, cooked food and avoid pork, salad and mayonnaise
  
  
• Malaria: This disease is prevalent throughout Malawi. Malaria is spread by bites from infected mosquitoes, so make sure to use lots of insect repellent and to wear long-sleeved clothes and pants, especially after dark when the mozzies are most active. Sleep in a room with a bed net or mosquito proofing. Also speak to your doctors/pharmacist about appropriate prophylactics. Anti-malarials are not 100% effective so your best recourse is to ensure that you are always covered in insect repellent
  
  You need to watch out for the symptoms of malaria for anything up to three months after your return home.  If you develop flu-like symptoms make sure you tell your health professional that you have been somewhere with malaria - even if it was some time ago.  Malaria is a serious, life-threatening disease and anti-malarial prophylaxis does not completely protect you from getting the disease. It is important to get treatment very quickly if you've been infected, so get a quick and simple blood test without delay to be on the safe side.  Please discuss malaria with your health professional.
  
  
• Immunisation: It’s recommended that you see your doctor for any immunisations that may be needed, these may include Hepatitis A or B, Typhoid and Tetanus, arrange to see a health practitioner well in advance of travelling 
  
  
• Yellow fever: A vaccination certificate is necessary for travellers entering Malawi from a yellow fever infected area
  
  
• Plague: There was an outbreak of bubonic plague in far southern reaches of Malawi in 2002, near the town of Nsanje. The plague is transmitted by infected fleas breeding on rodents. Though travellers are at very low risk, anyone who may have contact with rodents or their fleas could bring a bottle of doxycycline which may be taken as a precaution
  
  
• Infectious and tropical diseases: Due to the possibility of contracting bilharzia (schistosomiasis) when swimming or wading in rivers or lakes, it is recommended that visitors avoid going into water that is not flowing freely. Certain parts of Lake Malawi also contain bilharzia, so enquire beforehand if the resort you intend visiting, is free of the disease. Visitors who are concerned about contracting bilharzia can have a routine monthly check once they get home, for about two months, to ensure they are fine. Tickbite fever, which you can get from infected ticks, can be avoided by wearing pants and socks when out in the bush and covering up with insect repellent
  
  
• Sunburn: Be sure to take lots of high factor sun lotions and sun block as well as a hat to protect yourself against the sun, which is extremely harsh in Africa. Do not underestimate the sun, even on overcast days it is possible to burn very badly 
  

Entry Requirements:

• Passports: All visitors should be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months
• Visas: Visitors from most countries generally do not need visas to visit Malawi, but travellers are advised to check with the nearest Malawian Consulate for up-to-date information.