Malawi – Coming Soon

Known as “The Warm Heart of Africa”, Malawi is a welcoming and beautiful destination in southeastern Africa, celebrated for its friendly people, dramatic landscapes, wildlife and, above all, magnificent Lake Malawi.

Malawi is a landlocked country bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south and southwest. Its capital and largest city is Lilongwe, while other major centres include Blantyre, Mzuzu and the historic city of Zomba.

One of Malawi’s greatest attractions is Lake Malawi, a vast freshwater lake stretching through much of the country. With clear water, sandy beaches, colourful freshwater fish and relaxed lakeside lodges, it often feels more like an inland sea than a lake.

Away from the water, Malawi offers mountain scenery, tea plantations, forests, national parks and wildlife reserves. Visitors can combine safari experiences with hiking, cultural encounters and several relaxing days beside the lake, making Malawi an exceptionally varied African destination.

History

The area that is now Malawi has been inhabited for thousands of years, with Bantu-speaking peoples settling throughout the region over many centuries.

From around the 15th century, the powerful Maravi Kingdom developed across parts of present-day Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. The name Malawi is believed to have originated from Maravi, and the kingdom played an important role in the region’s trade and political history.

European contact increased during the 19th century, particularly following the journeys of Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone. Britain subsequently established a protectorate over the territory, which later became known as Nyasaland.

Malawi gained independence from Britain on 6 July 1964, with Hastings Kamuzu Banda becoming the country’s first president. Malawi remained a one-party state for several decades before moving to a multiparty democratic system in the 1990s.

Today, Malawi is a peaceful republic with a strong national identity and a culture shaped by its many ethnic groups and long history.

Geography

Malawi covers approximately 118,484 square kilometres and is a long, narrow country extending roughly 900 kilometres from north to south.

The Great Rift Valley runs through Malawi and dominates much of its geography. Its most famous geographical feature is Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s Great Lakes and one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. The lake occupies a significant portion of the country’s eastern side and forms part of the border with Tanzania and Mozambique.

Malawi has remarkably varied landscapes for a country of its size. The north is characterised by highlands, mountains and plateaus such as the Nyika Plateau, while central Malawi consists largely of rolling plains and agricultural areas.

The south contains the Shire Highlands and some of the country’s most dramatic scenery, including Mount Mulanje, whose peaks rise to approximately 3,000 metres above sea level.

The Shire River flows south from Lake Malawi before eventually joining the Zambezi River in Mozambique.

Climate

Malawi has a generally subtropical climate, although temperatures vary considerably depending on altitude and location.

There are two main seasons. The dry season, from approximately May to October, generally brings warm, sunny days and cooler evenings. This is one of the most popular periods for travelling, particularly for wildlife viewing.

The wet season, usually from November to April, is hotter and more humid, with regular rainfall and occasional heavy thunderstorms. The countryside becomes lush and green during this period.

Temperatures around Lake Malawi and the lower-lying southern regions can become very hot, while higher areas such as the Nyika Plateau and Mount Mulanje can be considerably cooler.

September and October are often among the hottest months, particularly in lower-altitude areas, while June and July can bring surprisingly cool nights in the highlands.

People

Malawi is home to a diverse population made up of several ethnic groups, including the Chewa, Tumbuka, Yao, Ngoni, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga and Nkhonde peoples.

Malawians have earned the country its nickname, “The Warm Heart of Africa”, and visitors frequently comment on the friendliness, hospitality and warmth they experience while travelling through the country.

English is widely used in government, education, tourism and business. Chichewa is spoken extensively throughout Malawi and is one of the country’s most important languages. Chitumbuka is particularly common in the north, while a number of other local languages are spoken throughout different regions.

Malawi remains predominantly rural, with many communities relying on agriculture and fishing. Village life, local markets and traditional customs continue to play an important role in everyday life.

Culture

Malawi’s culture reflects the traditions of its different ethnic communities and places great importance on family, community, music, dance and hospitality.

Traditional music and dance are particularly important during festivals, ceremonies and celebrations. The Gule Wamkulu, or “Great Dance”, associated primarily with the Chewa people, is one of Malawi’s most famous cultural traditions and has been recognised by UNESCO for its cultural significance.

Arts and crafts are found throughout the country, with local artisans producing wood carvings, woven baskets, pottery, textiles and colourful artwork.

Food tends to be simple and filling. A staple of the Malawian diet is nsima, a thick maize porridge usually served with vegetables, beans, meat or fish. Around Lake Malawi, fresh fish such as chambo is particularly popular.

Visitors will generally find Malawian culture warm and welcoming. Respect for elders, polite greetings and modest behaviour are appreciated, particularly when visiting rural communities.

Currency

The official currency of Malawi is the Malawian Kwacha, with the currency code MWK. One kwacha is divided into 100 tambala.

Cash remains important in Malawi, particularly outside the larger cities and tourist areas, and travellers should not assume that cards will be accepted everywhere.

Visa and Mastercard are accepted by many larger hotels, lodges and tourism businesses, while ATMs can be found in major centres such as Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu. ATMs generally dispense local currency.

Foreign currency exchange facilities are available at banks, airports and authorised bureaux de change.

Because access to foreign currency and exchange rates can fluctuate, travellers are advised to check the latest conditions shortly before travelling and to carry more than one means of accessing funds.

Economy

Malawi’s economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which provides employment and income for a large percentage of the population.

Important agricultural products include tobacco, tea, sugar, maize, coffee, cotton, groundnuts and increasingly products such as macadamia nuts and soybeans. Tobacco has traditionally been one of the country’s most important exports.

Tourism is another valuable sector, with Lake Malawi, wildlife reserves, national parks and mountain regions attracting international visitors.

Malawi continues to face economic challenges including high inflation, foreign currency shortages, infrastructure limitations and vulnerability to droughts, floods and other climatic events. Agriculture remains particularly dependent on rainfall, making the wider economy sensitive to changing weather conditions.

There is increasing interest in diversifying the economy through tourism, commercial agriculture, agro-processing, mining and private-sector development.

Health Information

Travellers should obtain professional health advice before travelling to Malawi and ensure that appropriate travel insurance is in place.

Malaria is present in Malawi, and visitors should discuss suitable malaria prevention with their doctor or travel clinic before departure. Protection against mosquitoes, including insect repellent, appropriate clothing and mosquito nets, is also recommended.

Travellers should also check that their routine vaccinations are up to date and obtain advice regarding any additional vaccinations recommended for Malawi.

Tap water may not always be safe to drink, particularly in rural areas. Bottled or properly treated water is generally recommended.

Medical facilities in Malawi are more limited than those available in many developed countries, particularly outside Lilongwe and Blantyre. Comprehensive travel insurance that includes emergency medical treatment and evacuation is therefore strongly recommended.

For the latest health information and recommendations for travel to Malawi, please visit the following UK Government travel advice page:

www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malawi/health