Description
Malawi is known as the warm heart of Africa, and UK visitors come for the clear water of Lake Malawi, safaris in Liwonde and Majete, and hiking on Mount Mulanje and the Zomba Plateau. There are also long-standing links between Malawi and Scotland, and many people travel for church, school and health partnerships.
A travel eSIM lets you message your group and family from the day you arrive. Install it at home, then switch it on when you land. It sits beside your UK SIM, keeping your normal number in the phone for bank texts, while the eSIM looks after your data.
Choose your Malawi data plan
There are 10 plans for Malawi. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 1 day | £5.81 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £6.34 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £11.99 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £14.66 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £15.31 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £23.76 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £41.87 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £71.31 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £171.12 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £333.68 |
- Safari week: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days covers messages and sharing a few wildlife photos.
- Two to three weeks at the lake and parks: 5GB or 10GB for 30 days leaves room for regular updates home.
- Partnership or volunteering trip: 20GB for 30 days covers work email, video calls and planning.
- Long placements: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days suits teachers, health workers and researchers staying for months.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Malawi.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Malawi
International flights arrive at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe and Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, usually via Johannesburg, Nairobi or Addis Ababa. In the cities, data is useful for maps, contacting drivers and banking apps. English is an official language, so getting around with your phone is fairly easy.
Signal can be patchy along stretches of the lakeshore, in national parks and on Mount Mulanje. Power cuts are common in some areas, so carry a power bank and download offline maps before long drives.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Malawi, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Malawi and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Malawi only: this plan does not cover Zambia, Mozambique or Tanzania. Ask us about plans if you are crossing a border.
- Power: lodges and homes may rely on generators or solar, so charge your phone whenever you can.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will I have signal at Lake Malawi?
Around the main lakeside towns and resorts you may have signal, but quieter beaches and islands can have little or none.
Can I use the eSIM on Mount Mulanje?
Signal on the mountain is limited, so plan your hike as an offline trip and tell someone your route.
When should I buy my Malawi eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
