Malawi

Malawi sits in southeastern Africa, bordered by Tanzania to the north, Mozambique to the east and south, and Zambia to the west. Its capital is Lilongwe, though the commercial hub of Blantyre is larger. English and Chichewa are the official languages, and the currency is the Malawian kwacha. Despite being one of Africa's smaller nations at around 118,000 km², its cultural life is warm and distinct, with a reputation among travellers for genuine hospitality.

Citizens of many Commonwealth nations, the United States, and parts of Europe can enter Malawi visa-free for short stays. Others may obtain a visa on arrival or in advance through the Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services. Travellers should consult the official immigration portal well ahead of travel, as policies and fees change.

Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects a stretch of shoreline renowned for its extraordinary diversity of cichlid fish visible through clear water. Liwonde National Park along the Shire River offers reliable sightings of elephants and hippos. The Zomba Plateau rises to around 1,800 metres with forest trails and sweeping views. Livingstonia, perched above the northern lakeshore, holds well-preserved colonial-era mission buildings. Mount Mulanje, a massive granite inselberg reaching 3,002 metres, draws hikers across its moorland plateau.

Malawi has a subtropical climate with a distinct wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. Lowland temperatures typically range from 20–30°C in the cooler dry months and 25–35°C during the hot wet season, while highlands including Mulanje and Zomba remain noticeably cooler year-round. The dry season — particularly May through August — offers the most comfortable conditions for travel. Pack layers for highland evenings regardless of the season.

• Lake Malawi holds more fish species than any other lake.
• Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964.
• The lake covers roughly one-fifth of the country's total area.
• Malawi is among the world's top producers of tea.
• Cichlids from Lake Malawi populate aquariums worldwide.

• immigration.gov.mw — Malawi Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services
• tourism.gov.mw — Malawi Ministry of Tourism
• metmalawi.com — Malawi Meteorological Services Department
• mra.mw — Malawi Revenue Authority, including customs and border information