Malawi | World Heritage Explorer

Malawi has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1982. It is home to 3 World Heritage Sites. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Malawi as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: January 5, 1982

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1983-1989

Total of Mandate Years: 6

Total of Mandates: 1

WHC Electoral Group: V(a) (Africa)

World Heritage Sites in Malawi (3)

Cultural: 2 | Natural: 1 | Mixed: 0

Chongoni Rock-Art Area · Cultural
Lake Malawi National Park · Natural
Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape · Cultural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malawi.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (7)

Malawi Slave Heritage Route and Dr. David Livingstone Trail · submitted: October 6, 2025
Karonga Fossilised Geoheritage Landscape · submitted: October 6, 2025
Lake Chilwa Wetland · submitted: October 6, 2025
Fort Mangochi and Makanjira Historical Corridor · submitted: October 6, 2025
Khulubvi and Associated Mbona Rain Shrines Cultural Landscape · submitted: October 6, 2025
Malape Pillars Geological Heritage · submitted: October 6, 2025
Nyika-Vwaza Wildlife Reserve · submitted: October 6, 2025

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Malawi

Official Name: Republic of Malawi

Continent: Africa

Subregion: Eastern Africa

UNESCO Region: Africa

Capital: Lilongwe

Population (2024): 21,655,286

Land Area: 94,280 km²

Currency: Malawian kwacha (MWK)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Malawi

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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