The Republic of Malawi is a small landlocked country in Southeast Africa, enclosed by Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west, and Mozambique to the south. With an area of about 118,500 km², Malawi is only about one third the size of Germany and relatively sparsely populated with about 17 million inhabitants.

Little Malawi, is a peaceful country that lives up to its self-chosen epithet, “the warm heart of Africa”. Travelers rave again and again about the friendly, warm-hearted and hospitable inhabitants as well as the mixture of wilderness, culture and varied landscape, which is characterized above all by Lake Malawi. Nevertheless, Malawi is still a little visited country, far away from mass tourism.

Malawi is best known for Lake Malawi, most of which lies within its national territory and which makes up three-quarters of the country’s eastern border.
No lake on earth is home to more species of fish – about 1,000 species of cichlids alone, live in the lake, making it a popular destination for divers and snorkelers. Ornamental fish from Lake Malawi are exported worldwide.

For a long time, Malawi had little to offer the safari traveler due to extreme poaching. This has changed, and over 2,500 animals have been reintroduced to Majete National Park, most of them from South Africa and Zambia. Today, more than 5,000 mammals live in the park again. Currently, with Majete and Liwonde National Park, after decades there are again two protected areas that can proudly call themselves Big Five area.

With the Big Five, a focus on animal conservation and sustainable tourism, and Lake Malawi as one of Africa’s most beautiful swimming destinations, safari fans have also discovered the small country. Malawi is for us one of the most beautiful destinations in southeastern Africa.

Country info

Entry requirements

A visa is required for entry into Malawi. The passport must be valid until at least six months after the date of entry and have at least 2 free pages.
As a rule, the visa for German citizens is also available upon entry. However, it is also possible to obtain the visa in advance at one of the Malawian missions abroad.

Flight

Malawi’s main airport is Lilongwe International Airport, which has regular flights from South Africa and Kenya. Travelers from Germany can fly several times a week with KLM via Amsterdam to Nairobi and from there on to Lilongwe.

Climate

The best time to visit Malawi is from April to November. Rainy season is from December – March. while the months of April – July are cooler (daytime temperatures 20-30°C), the second half of the year is usually warmer with average daytime temperatures around 25-32°C.

In the months of April/May, just after the rainy season, the temperatures are very pleasant and the landscape is wonderfully green. Between June and August, the Malawian winter, it is warm during the day, but the nights can get very cold, especially on the high plateaus. From September to November, temperatures rise sharply and it becomes very dry in parts, which is ideal for wildlife viewing. The rainy season runs from November/December to about March. Especially in January and February there are often heavy thunderstorms, a trip to Malawi is then only conditionally recommended.

Health

Before traveling to Malawi, standard immunizations should be checked and completed and a tropical doctor should be consulted. Mandatory vaccinations are not provided, but the vaccination card should always be carried.

In Malawi, there is a year-round risk of malaria, especially near the lakes. Appropriate precautions are therefore strongly recommended. On every trip, the personal first-aid kit should be carried as well as sufficient sun and mosquito protection. Only bottled water is safe to drink, but it is provided in sufficient quantities at the lodges.
Lake Malawi is a popular swimming destination, however, it is not free of Billharziosis pathogens, a Bilharziosis test after the trip is therefore recommended.

Security

Malawi is peaceful and is considered a relatively safe destination by regional standards. Nevertheless, the crime rate in large cities and tourist centers must be considered high. Prudent behavior goes without saying.
Car journeys, especially in the rainy season, hold a high potential of danger due to the condition of the roads and should be avoided if possible, especially in the dark.

Malawi Safaris

Expedition Malawi - Camping Safari - 19 days

This guided camping safari takes you to the "warm heart" of Africa, as Malawi is often called. Malawi a country in southern Africa, with its friendly people, has a great treasure, Lake Malawi, one of the largest lakes in Africa. The crystal clear water is great for snorkeling for the colorful ornamental fish, and boat trips by kayak or catamaran
19 days from/ to Lilongwe
Malawi, Zambia