Malawi
Why Produce in Malawi?
Malawi is defined by its vast, clear freshwater lake, framed by mountains, plateaus, wildlife parks and famously warm, welcoming people – a safe, gentle and under-filmed destination for travel, wildlife and documentary work.
- Lake Malawi – a vast, clear freshwater lake (UNESCO)
- Islands, beaches and colourful cichlid fish
- Elephants and river safaris in Liwonde
- The Mulanje massif and Zomba Plateau
- Highland wildlife on the Nyika Plateau
- Tea estates and green highlands
- Famously warm and welcoming people
- Safe, gentle and under-filmed material
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Capital City
Lilongwe
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Main Cities
Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba
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Main Languages
English and Chichewa (both official)
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Currency
Malawian Kwacha
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Weather
This country has two main seasons: a cool dry season from May to October with average temperatures around 13°C in June and July, and a hot wet season from November to April with temperatures between 30°C and 35°C.
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Climate
Subtropical – dry season May to October, wet season November to April
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Best Time to Shoot
May to October (dry season)
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Main Production Hubs
Lilongwe and Lake Malawi
Production Services
Our Malawi production services include:
- Local Producers
- Film Fixers
- Production Management
- Film, Video & Stills Crew
- Camera Equipment
- Lighting & Grip
- Drone Operators
- Location Scouting
- Film Permits
- Casting
- Transport & Logistics
- Crew & Cast Accommodation
- Security
- Catering
Crew & Equipment
Malawi suits travel, wildlife, documentary and NGO productions, with local fixers experienced in lake and bush logistics.
A local crew base of producers, fixers, drivers and production assistants is available; senior technical crew and specialist equipment are generally brought in from South Africa or the region.
Productions plan for boats, 4x4s and internal transfers, and typically import camera, drone and specialist packages.
Top Filming Locations
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Lake Malawi (UNESCO)
Clear water, beaches and islands.
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Liwonde National Park
Elephants and Shire River safaris.
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Mount Mulanje
A dramatic granite massif.
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Zomba Plateau
Forested highland viewpoints.
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Lilongwe
The capital city, featuring modern and traditional Malawian architecture.
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Blantyre
The colonial commercial city.
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Cape Maclear
A lakeside national-park village.
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Likoma Island
Home to a vast cathedral.
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Nyika Plateau
Rolling grasslands and highland wildlife.
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Majete Wildlife Reserve
A Big Five recovery success.
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Thyolo & Satemwa tea estates
Green plantation landscapes.
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The Shire River
Malawi's great waterway.
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Chongoni rock art (UNESCO)
Ancient painted shelters.
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Lake Malawi cichlids & diving
Vivid freshwater fish.
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Mangochi & the lakeshore
Beaches and fishing villages.
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Dedza highlands & pottery
Cool uplands and craft.
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Kande Beach
A classic northern-lake beach.
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Baobab & miombo landscapes
Iconic African trees and woodland.
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Fishing villages & dugouts
Everyday lake life.
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"Warm Heart of Africa" culture
The welcoming national spirit.
Lodge & Hotel Options
Malawi offers lakeside lodges and safari camps for travel and wildlife productions. Access for filming is subject to approval and availability.
- Kaya Mawa, Likoma Island – Barefoot-luxury island lodge.
- Pumulani, Lake Malawi – Robin Pope lakeshore lodge.
- Mumbo Island – Off-grid eco-camp.
- Mvuu Lodge & Camp, Liwonde – River-safari base.
- Kuthengo Camp, Liwonde – Tented riverside camp.
- Ku Chawe Inn, Zomba Plateau – Highland hotel.
Crew & Cast Accommodation
Cast and crew accommodation runs from lakeside lodges and safari camps to city hotels in Lilongwe and Blantyre. We arrange group bookings, boats and transfers.
- Luxury (talent, directors, key clients)
Kaya Mawa / Pumulani – Premium lakeside bases for talent and clients.
Mvuu Lodge, Liwonde – Standout safari base. - Mid-range (main crew, production team)
Lilongwe: Umodzi Park and Sunbird hotels – Reliable city bases.
Lake: mid-range lodges – Comfortable lakeshore accommodation.
Liwonde & Majete: safari camps – Convenient wildlife bases. - Budget & serviced options (extended crew, longer shoots)
City and lakeshore guesthouses – Value options for larger crews.
Rest camps and community lodges – Practical bases near locations.
Accommodation availability and rates vary by season and should be booked well in advance. African Fixer manages crew and cast bookings, transfers and per-location logistics as part of production support.
Best Time to Shoot
- May to October – Dry season with the best access and wildlife.
- August to October – Warmer, with concentrated game around water.
- November to April – The green season brings lush landscapes and rain.
- Lake conditions are calmest and clearest in the dry season.
Visa Requirements
International cast and crew should confirm visa and work permission requirements before travelling. Typical documents may include a valid passport, flight details, accommodation details, invitation letter, crew list and equipment list.
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Required Documentation
A valid passport (minimum 6 months validity), a completed visa application form, proof of funds, accommodation details, and a return ticket.
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Timings
Approximately 3 working days.
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Cost
Varies based on nationality and visa type.
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Vaccination Requirements
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if traveling from or through a yellow fever endemic area.
International Crew Accreditation
International productions may require local coordination, film permissions and supporting letters depending on the production type, locations and crew nationality, and should work with an in-country fixer or service company.
General Film Permit
Filming permits are arranged through the relevant authorities, with national-park permits via the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. Work through a local fixer and allow lead time.
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Required Documentation
To apply for a film permit, the following are required- A photocopy of the passport for each crew member. Payment of USD 200 per crew member. A brief description of the project or production. A complete gear list of equipment. A JPEG passport photo of each crew member.
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Timings
Permits are processed within 5 working days after payment of fees.
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Cost
MWK 300,000 per crew member (approximately USD 220 per crew member).
Drone Permit
Drone filming requires authorisation from the civil aviation authority, with restrictions in national parks. Permissions should be arranged in advance.
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Importation Regulations
A temporary importation permit is required for drones brought into the country.
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Permit Issuance
The permit is issued by the Civil Aviation Headquarters in Lilongwe.
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Required Documentation
To apply for a local drone permit, the following information is needed: Drone make and serial number.
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Timings
The permit is processed within 7 days
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Cost
MWK 300,000 (approximately USD 220) per drone
Equipment Customs Clearance
Professional equipment can usually be temporarily imported with the correct customs documentation. An ATA Carnet may be used where applicable, and equipment lists should be prepared in advance.
Safety and Security
Malawi is one of Africa’s safest and friendliest countries, with modest but adequate infrastructure. Standard precautions apply, malaria precautions are advised, bilharzia awareness is sensible in some lake areas, and remote locations need proper logistics.
Rebates & Incentives
Malawi does not currently operate a formal national film cash rebate for international productions, so budgets should not rely on a rebate.
African Fixer will confirm the latest position on permit and park fees and any incentives during planning, and manage the permissions, lake and bush logistics that make Malawi’s locations accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Permits are arranged through the relevant authorities, with national-park permits via the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.
Malawi has local fixers and support crew; senior technical crew and specialist equipment are brought in from South Africa or the region.
Lake Malawi and its islands, Liwonde's elephants, the Mulanje massif and the Zomba and Nyika plateaus.
Lakeside lodges and safari camps, with city hotels in Lilongwe and Blantyre.
Yes, with the correct customs paperwork; an ATA Carnet may be used. Plan to import camera, drone and specialist packages.
Yes. Drone filming requires civil-aviation authorisation, with restrictions in national parks.
No. Malawi does not currently offer a film rebate. We confirm permit and park fees before you budget.
Yes, especially for travel, wildlife and documentary work needing the lake, wildlife and warm culture.
Yes. We provide full production support from planning through to wrap, including lake and bush logistics
Did you know?
Lake Malawi holds more species of fish than any other lake on Earth – hundreds of dazzling, mostly endemic cichlids – and is so vast and clear it feels like an inland sea, framed by mountains and dotted with islands.
PRO TIP:
Base lakeside for clear-water and island work and pair it with a Liwonde river-safari leg and the Zomba or Mulanje highlands; shoot the dry May-to-October season and draw specialist crew from South Africa.
