KenyaMalawi: Visa-free

KenyaMalawi

Do Kenya passport holders need a visa for Malawi?

Visa-free

No. Kenya passport holders do not need a visa to visit Malawi for tourism.

No visa is required for a short tourist stay. Travel on a valid passport alone.

Source: visitmalawi.mw (checked July 18, 2026).

RequirementVisa-free

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelNone, travel on your passport

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance1,452 km, straight line (~2h 12m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Malawi195 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Malawi passport holders visiting Kenya: Visa-free.

Other visa-free destinations for Kenya passport holders

See all Kenya destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Kenya passport holders need a visa for Malawi?

No. Kenya passport holders do not need a visa to visit Malawi for tourism.

How far is Malawi from Kenya?

About 1,452 km in a straight line, roughly ~2h 12m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Malawi?

Malawian kwacha (MWK).

What is the emergency number in Malawi?

990 / 997 / 998 / 999.

What time zone is Malawi in?

Blantyre (UTC+2).

What is the nearest airport to Lilongwe?

Kamuzu International Airport (LLW), about 22 km away.

How many countries can enter Malawi without a visa?

195 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Malawi visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Kenya

Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 54.2 million as of mid-2026, it is the 26th-most populous country in the world and the seventh-most populous in Africa. Kenya's capital and largest city is Nairobi. The second-largest and oldest city is Mombasa, a port city located on Mombasa Island. Other major cities within the country include Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. Going clockwise, Kenya is bordered by South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, the Indian Ocean to the southeast, Tanzania to the southwest, and Lake Victoria and Uganda to the west. Its geography, climate and population vary. In western Rift Valley counties, the landscape includes cold, snow-capped mountaintops with surrounding forests, wildlife, and fertile agricultural regions in temperate climates. In other areas there are dry, arid, and semi-arid climates, as well as absolute deserts.

CapitalNairobi

RegionEastern Africa

Population57.5M

Area580,367 km²

CurrencyKenyan shilling (1 USD ≈ 129.79 KES)

LanguagesEnglish, Swahili

Calling code+254

Drives on theleft

TimezoneNairobi (UTC+3)

Nearest airportNairobi Wilson Airport (WIL), 5 km

Emergency number112 / 999

UNESCO sites9

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$2,363 (2025)

Tourist arrivals2M (2019)

Climate in Nairobi

Warmest March, coolest July, driest July, sunniest December. Best time to visit: May, October, December.

Monthly climate normals for Nairobi, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	23.6°C	15.5°C	225mm	303h
February	25.1°C	15.5°C	180mm	313h
March	25°C	15.9°C	312mm	306h
April	23.9°C	16°C	325mm	269h
May	23.4°C	14.6°C	116mm	320h
June	22.6°C	13.3°C	44mm	292h
July	22.1°C	12.8°C	28mm	270h
August	23.7°C	12.9°C	40mm	275h
September	23.8°C	13.3°C	76mm	276h
October	25.5°C	14.7°C	93mm	325h
November	23.9°C	15.2°C	118mm	301h
December	24.9°C	14.6°C	37mm	345h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Kenya in East Africa is a pearl in sub-Saharan Africa. From the scenic sandy beaches at the coast, to the Nairobi National Park, to the majestic Rift Valley, the bird life in Lake Naivasha, the hot boiling springs of Lake Baringo, Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria, Kenya is a very beautiful country with lots of wildlife and scenic features, and is one of the major economic hubs in Africa. Fondly referred to as the "Jewel of Africa", Kenya is a dream destination for its Swahili heritage and the home of humankind and Safari industry.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Fort Jesus Museum
Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
Lake Turkana National Parks
Lamu Old Town
Mount Kenya National Park
Mwana Arafa Jambeni Building
Ruins of Gedi
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests
Thimlich Ohinga

Upcoming public holidays

October 20, 2026Mashujaa Day

December 12, 2026Jamhuri Day

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

Full source list on About.

About Malawi

Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and southwest. Malawi spans over 118,484 km2 (45,747 sq mi) and has a population of 22,224,300. Lilongwe is its capital and largest city.

CapitalLilongwe

RegionEastern Africa

Population22.2M

Area118,484 km²

CurrencyMalawian kwacha (1 USD ≈ 1733.60 MWK)

LanguagesEnglish, Chewa

Calling code+265

Drives on theleft

TimezoneBlantyre (UTC+2)

Nearest airportKamuzu International Airport (LLW), 22 km

Emergency number990 / 997 / 998 / 999

UNESCO sites3

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$672 (2025)

Tourist arrivals871K (2018)

Travel guide

Malawi is a small, landlocked country in Africa whose eastern border mostly follows Lake Malawi, the third largest lake on the continent. It's described as the "Warm Heart of Africa", referring to the friendliness of the people.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Chongoni Rock Art Area
Lake Malawi National Park
Mulanje Massif

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

December 28, 2026Boxing Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

Full source list on About.