The long, 1,498-kilometer border between Malawi and Mozambique is a frontier deeply intertwined with the histories of both nations, shaped by colonial-era trade routes and the turmoil of the Mozambican Civil War. It is a line that wraps around southern Malawi, offering multiple crossing points that serve as vital links for families, commerce, and travelers.
You have several options for crossing. The busiest and most developed is the Mwanza (Malawi) and Zobue (Mozambique) border, which lies on the main highway connecting Blantyre to the Tete Corridor and onwards to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Other important crossings include Dedza-Calomue, a scenic route through a mountainous region, and Chiponde-Mandimba in the south.
This border has a poignant history. During the long civil war in Mozambique, Malawi hosted over a million refugees, and the border areas were a place of sanctuary. Today, the relationship is one of peaceful trade. The crossings are key for Malawi’s access to the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Beira, which are closer than any other seaports.
The crossing procedures are generally straightforward, but the infrastructure can vary from the busy, modern post at Mwanza to smaller, more rustic outposts. Traveling this border is a journey through the heart of southern Africa, a region of shared cultures and resilient communities.