Malawi is a land locked country, much of which lies within the Great Rift Valley of eastern Africa, with Tanzania to the north, Zambia to the west and Mozambique to the east and south.

Malawi also has several game reserves and national parks which are well-stocked with animals and have a variety of birdlife.

Malawi is one of Africa's smaller countries (a little over 117 000 square kilometres), of which about 20% is occupied by Lake Malawi. The highest peaks in Malawi touch 3000m while in the south it is around 150m. These great contrasts help to make the landscape of Malawi one the most varied in all Africa.

The local time is Malawi is GMT +2 and the currency is the Kwacha (Mk internationally or just K locally). The kwacha divides into 100 tambala. Acceptance of credit and debit cards is very limited outside of Lilongwe, Blantyre and upmarket hotels.

Health:
Immunisation against polio, tetanus, typhoid and hepatitis A is recommended. Yellow fever immunisation may be required only by visitors entering from a yellow fever zone. There is a risk of malaria and prophylactics should be taken. Seek up to date advice from your doctor. There is a risk of contracting bilharzia if bathing in some parts of Lake Malawi but the risk is negligible near the main beach hotels. The infection is relatively easily treated once diagnosed. Malawi is a high risk area for AIDS.

The country is split into 3 regions and the scenery varies in each.
The Northern Region is mountainous, with the highest peaks reaching over 2500m. Most magnificent of all the highlands is the Nyika Plateau with its rolling landscapes of the centre of the plateau. The other great highlands are the thickly forested slopes of the Viphya Plateau.

Most international visitors arrive at Lilongwe, the capital which is in the Central Region. Gently undulating landscapes give the area the appearance of a plain and its altitude of some 4000ft (1200m) is not immediately evident. Only in the east, close to Lake Malawi, where the plateau forms the edge of the Great Rift Valley, do its occasionally steep sides reveal the truth. This is also the country's main agricultural area.

Southern Malawi is the most populated, developed and varied region. It is also the part which shows the greatest European influence. Blantyre is situated in Southern Malawi. North of Blantyre is Liwonde National Park.

South Malawi is a region of physical contrasts. Much of the area is dominated by the River Shire (pronounced shiray) which snakes its way southwards from the Lake still running through the rift which is occupied by the Lake. On its journey southwards, the Shire crashes over falls and rapids (which hindered David Livingstone’s upstream journey in the past) but has its more leisurely stretches though broad plains.

South Malawi is certainly not all plains and valleys. This is the region of Malawi’s highest peak, Mount Mulanje, which rises to nearly 10000ft (3000m). Impressively, Mulanje is only seventy miles from Malawi’s lowest point, just over 100ft (30m). Not too far from Mulanje is the region’s other great massif, the Zomba Plateau. This table-like mountain is over 6000ft (1800m) above sea level with sheer scarp-like edges.

Best time to travel in Malawi:
For most people the dry (winter) season is most attractive (i.e. April/May to October/November). The chance of rain is slim, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant (in the 20s Celsius) and the low vegetation and limited availability of water mean that game viewing is at its best. However, some of the best birdwatching can be had from November to April and the orchids of Nyika are best seen from December to March/April. Malawi's temperatures are moderated by altitude. In the hottest month (usually November) maximum temperatures will be around 30°C. In the coldest month (probably July) maximum temperatures will be in the low 20’s. On the uplands (e.g. Zomba, Nyika and Viphya) it can be quite cold at night. The hottest area, all year, is that at the lowest altitude - the Lower Shire Valley. Rainfall is extremely rare in the dry season and even in the so-called wet season, the rains are usually short-lived storms, as is typical of the tropics, and at no time does the climate seriously inhibit the traveler. Around the country, rainfall varies, with the highlands having the highest figures.

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Some of Malawi's attractions: