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.

Often called the 'Warm heart of Africa', Malawi is a peaceful country known for the unequalled friendliness of its people. The most visited area is Lake Malawi with its sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, resorts, water sports and huge variety of fish life.

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). Acceptance of credit and debit cards is very limited outside of Lilongwe, Blantyre and upmarket hotels.

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 is 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. 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.

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