A Case Study: How the Rephaiah Project Combats Malaria in Young Children

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Figure 17.1: Location of Malawi in Africa.

The most striking feature on the geographical map of Malawi is the Great African Rift

Valley. It runs through the entire length of the country, passing through Lake Malawi in the

Northern and Central Regions to the Shire Valley in the southern part of the country. Shire

is the largest river in the country and also its lowest point. It is the only outlet for Lake

Malawi and drains into Zambezi river in Mozambique. In the western and southern areas

of Lake Malawi there are fertile lowlands and mountain ranges, having peaks ranging from

1,700 to 3,000 meters. The southern areas of the country are largely low-lying except for

Zomba plateau, which is approximately 2,100 meters high and Mulanje Massif, which is

3,002 meters high and also the highest mountain is south-central Africa.

Malawi has a tropical continental climate with some maritime influences. Altitude and

proximity to the lake influences rainfall patterns and temperature variability. From May to

August, the country experiences a cool dry season. A warm dry season is experienced from

September to November. The rainy season begins in October or sometimes in November

and proceeds through April, and this is the period that the country receives about 90% of

the precipitation for the year. Annual rainfall ranges from 700 to 2,400 mm, with 1180 be-

ing the average. Maximum and minimum temperatures are 28 °C and 10°C, respectively,

while rift valley plains have around 32 °C and 14 °C, respectively. The highest tempera-

tures occur just before the rainy season, or in October-November. The lowest temperatures,

however, are experienced in June or July.

In general, the different topographical and environmental features of the country also

offer different weather conditions. Mountainous regions offer cooler temperatures, while

lowlands offer warmer temperatures and rainfall. Climatic conditions in Malawi remain