The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. With a total area of 118,484 square kilometres, it is home to around 14 million inhabitants, of whom about 600,000 live in the capital, Lilongwe.
Most of the population is descended from the various Bantu ethnic groups. The country is also home to a small minority of residents of Indian descent. English is Malawi’s official language, while Chichewa and Chitumbuka are also spoken. Around 82 percent of Malawi’s inhabitants belong to various Christian denominations. The country is also home to around 11 percent Muslims and about seven percent of the population are followers of traditional African religions.
Highlights of Malawi
The area around Lake Malawi covers a total of 24,208 square kilometres. Many coastal areas are developed for tourism and invite visitors to swim, snorkel, dive, waterski, surf or sail thanks to the many beautiful sandy beaches. It is also possible to take a round trip on Lake Malawi by liner. The liner operates between Monkey Bay and Karonga.
Malawi’s varied landscape and native wildlife are protected in the country’s five national parks. In Kasungu National Park, covering around 2,300 square kilometres, a large habitat is protected for a wide variety of animal species. Among the animals found in this national park are zebras, elephants, hyenas, buffalo and leopards. Malawi’s largest national park is Nyika National Park. Covering around 3,200 square kilometres, it is home to a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, insects and birds. Among the wildlife are, for example, side-striped jackals, lions, cheetahs, greater kudus and roan antelopes.
Location and climate of Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, bordered by Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. The climate in Malawi is subtropical, with warm to hot temperatures year-round. The best time to visit Malawi is between May and August/September, when temperatures are cooler and the humidity more pleasant. During this time, temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius. In general, the highland region is cooler, while the area around Lake Malawi is the warmest part of the country. As a result, the surface temperature of Lake Malawi averages 26 degrees Celsius.
Arrival and entry
The largest international airport is located more than 20 kilometres from Lilongwe. Tourists can reach the city from the airport by bus or taxi. It is also possible to reach Malawi by car or bus via the borders of the neighbouring countries.
For entry into Malawi, German tourists require a passport valid for at least another six months, as well as a return ticket. Children also need a passport or a photo ID for entry. Tourists planning to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days do not require an entry visa. The residence permit is issued to each tourist directly by the border official on site. This permit is valid for a total of 30 days. If a longer stay is planned, an extension can be applied for separately. On arrival, travellers’ vaccination certificates are often checked. If arriving from a yellow fever risk area, proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination is also required.
