Discover Malawi

Malawi is a thin, landlocked country of 118,484 square kilometres in south-east Africa, laid along the Great Rift Valley with a lake down three-quarters of its eastern side: Lake Malawi, 560 to 580 kilometres long and up to 75 wide, the ninth-largest lake in the world by area, the fourth-largest freshwater lake by volume, the third-largest and second-deepest in Africa, and home to more species of fish than any other lake on earth, at least 700 of them cichlids. Above the lake rise the plateaus -- Zomba at 2,100 metres, Nyika in the north with its 200 orchids, and Mulanje, whose Sapitwa peak at 3,002 metres is the country's roof.

Some 22.2 million people live here, in one of the world's least developed countries, growing tobacco, tea, sugar and maize; Lilongwe is the capital and largest city, Blantyre, founded by Scottish missionaries in 1876, the commercial one. The country calls itself the Warm Heart of Africa for the manner of its people, and the name is earned. Independent as Malawi on 6 July 1964 under Hastings Banda, who made himself president for life in 1971 and was voted out in 1994, it has held elections since -- and, in 2020, saw its Constitutional Court overturn one for fraud and order it re-run.

The visitor's Malawi is the lake -- Cape Maclear in the World Heritage national park, Likoma Island with its cathedral out in Mozambican waters, the MV Ilala that has steamed the length of it since 1951 -- and the parks that African Parks has rebuilt: Majete, Big Five country again since the rhinos returned in 2003, and Liwonde on the Shire River. A visa costs US$50 on arrival or online, the kwacha economy runs on cash, and Canada's advice to exercise a high degree of caution is about theft, not war.

Do I need a visa?

Yes. Since 24 February 2026 nationals of the portal's Category Two countries can get one on arrival -- US$50 single entry, US$150 six-month multiple, US$250 one-year, in US dollars cash -- while Category One nationals must obtain it before departure; everyone is encouraged to apply online at evisa.gov.mw in advance.

What else do I need at the border?

A passport valid six months beyond arrival, the Traveller Health Check form (QR code on arrival or online), a yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country, and a full declaration of the foreign currency you carry, on the way in and out.

Is Malawi safe?

Canada advises a high degree of caution for crime: theft in markets, bus stations, ferry terminals and hotels, and some violent burglary. The rules are daylight driving, stopping at roadblocks, ID to hand and nothing valuable on show.

How do I get around the lake?

The MV Ilala has sailed weekly from Monkey Bay to Chilumba, about 480 kilometres, since 1951, calling at Likoma; do not board any lake ferry that looks overloaded.

What are the emergency numbers?

Police 997 or 990, medical 998, fire 999.

When is the best time?

May to October, dry and clear; July and August cool, September and October hot with the best game; the rains run November to April.