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Welcome to Internships in Malawi

Immerse yourself in the culture and daily life of developing communities in Malawi. Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? Want to get international working experience in the nonprofit sector? 

At Roots Interns, we offer nonprofit and NGO internships in Malawi with the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning. Whether you’re interested in digital marketing, permaculture, fundraising, education, communications, animal welfare, social entrepreneurship, health, finance, journalism, or NGO management & development, we have an internship program in Malawi for you! Malawi is one of the most impoverished countries in the world, yet one of the richest in culture and possibilities for progressive growth. By interning in Malawi, you will see first hand the impact of your work and the difference it will make in the lives of individuals and communities.

Our hub partner in Northern Malawi supports over ten various development projects focusing on the community, education, and the environment. Our nonprofit internships in Malawi are available in different academic areas with flexibility in tasks, so there always is something to suit your skills and academic interest. Our wildlife conservation partner in the capital, Lilongwe, provides an opportunity for hands-on experience at their wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. Each day as a wildlife intern in Malawi comes with new tasks and chances to learn what it takes to be part of and manage wildlife care and conservation. With such a range of options in a country as beautiful and natural as Malawi, who wouldn’t want to do an internship here?!

Read more about Malawi as an internship destination

Malawi Highlights

Lake Malawi

It’s the fifth largest lake in the world while swimming alongside over 700 species of cichlid (=freshwater fishes) enjoy the crystal clear waters.

The Warm Heart of Africa

Known for their hospitality, the people of Malawi welcome visitors with open arms to explore their country and culture.

Grassroots Development

There is opportunity across all industries to make a tangible impact as Malawi develops its economy and global status.

Summer Internship in Malawi

The unique environment and vibrate culture of Malawi make it the perfect combo for learning and adventure.

Browse All Internship Opportunities in Malawi

Participants in Lilongwe on top of a rock in front of a setting sun.

Open for applications

Wildlife Research Program

  • Min. 2 weeks
  • Liwonde National Park, Malawi
  • Monitoring, Tracking, Identification, Data Entry, Camera Trapping
Contribute to conservation through data collection and species monitoring while working alongside expert researchers in a biodiverse ecosystem.
Find out more
A baby monkey being bottle-fed in the Lilongwe Wildlife Sanctuary.

Open for applications

Wildlife Sanctuary Program

  • Min. 2 weeks
  • Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Animal Husbandry, Orphan Care, Observations, Integrations
Work directly with rescued animals, gain conservation skills, and contribute to meaningful rehabilitation efforts.
Find out more
A group of people in Malawi stands under a large tree, attentively participating in an agroforestry demonstration. They wear vibrant clothing and are focused on the activity in their rural setting.

Open for applications

Agroecology Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi
  • Environmental Sustainability, Capacity Building, Organizational Development
Take an active role in empowering rural communities through workshops focused on food and water security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
Find out more
Penda photography internship

Open for applications

SEO Internship

  • Min. 10 weeks
  • Remote OR Travel Options
  • SEO, Website Management, Writing
Gain practical experience in SEO research and writing by joining the internal team at Roots Interns and working with an SEO specialist.
Find out more
Communications Internship

Open for applications

Communications Internship

  • Min. 10 weeks
  • Remote OR Travel Options
  • Writing, Digital Marketing, Social Media
Join our team at Roots and assist in running & developing our communication channels through various writing and research tasks.
Find out more
SEO Content Writing Internship in tourism

Open for applications

SEO Tourism Content Writing Internship

  • Min. 10 weeks
  • Remote OR Travel Options
  • Creative Writing, SEO, Blogging
Sharpen your writing skills and learn to write content that is creative and optimized for search engines.
Find out more
Wildlife Veterinary Internship

Open for applications

Wildlife Veterinary Internship

  • 2-12 weeks
  • Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Veterinary Work, Animal Care, Integrations, Observations
A hands-on wildlife veterinary internship at a rescue and rehabilitation center
Find out more
Supreme Malawi internship

Open for applications

Social Entrepreneurship Internship

  • Min. 12 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi OR Remote
  • Marketing, Fundraising, Program Development, Research, Operations
Help with the development and management of an inspiring social business
Find out more
Supreme Malawi finance internship

Open for applications

NGO Management and Finance Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi
  • Accounting, Reporting, Fundraising, Social Business Development
Gain finance management and income generation experience
Find out more
Supreme Malawi

Open for applications

Media and Marketing Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi OR Remote
  • Communications, PR, Digital Marketing, Writing
Help an inspiring social enterprise reach a wider audience.
Find out more
Community Development Internship

Open for applications

Community Development Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi
  • Education, Community Development, Networking
Be part of a hub for social impact initiatives in a rural community in Malawi
Find out more
feature kids Malawi

Open for applications

Nonprofit Education Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi
  • Education, Teaching, Curriculum development
Teach classes, help train local teachers, and develop and run afterschool programs
Find out more
kids feature

Open for applications

Digital Marketing Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi
  • Digital Marketing, Fundraising, Social Media
Raise awareness and funding to help provide high quality education.
Find out more
sustainable tourism eco-lodge internship in Malawi

Open for applications

Sustainable Tourism Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi
  • Digital Marketing, Eco-Tourism, Sustainable Development
Enhance your strategic development skills within sustainable tourism, making a positive impact on the environment and community with a Malawian eco-lodge.
Find out more
NGO Management Internship

Open for applications

Fundraising Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi OR Remote
  • Research, Fundraising, Writing, Donor Mgt, Communications
Gain practical work experience in fundraising and communications for a Malawian charity.
Find out more
Media and Communications Internship

Open for applications

Media and Communications Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi OR Remote
  • Fundraising, Marketing, Social Media, Writing
Help manage the communication channels of a small but fast-growing permaculture charity.
Find out more
NGO Management Internship in Malawi

Open for applications

NGO Management Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi OR Remote
  • NGO Management, Fundraising, Marketing, Communications
Assist with the management of an NGO that supports permaculture clubs for school children,
Find out more
Permaculture Internship

Open for applications

Permaculture Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Nkhata Bay, Malawi
  • Permaculture, Organic Farming
Help to develop and run workshops for permaculture clubs in rural schools, spreading knowledge of self-sufficiency and sustainability while getting your hands dirty.
Find out more

Why Choose Roots Internships in Malawi

We can give you several reasons why you should join Roots for an internship, but also find out from our previous interns how internship positions in Cambodia can boost your professional career and grow your interpersonal skills.

Thanks to Roots Interns for allowing me to have a meaningful and inspiring experience in Malawi. They helped me find the right internship fit in terms of location, working environment, my existing skills, and those that I wanted to develop. The team was truly invested in my well-being and followed up along my journey. I would recommend Roots to anyone looking into an NGO internship abroad.

Léa, French – Skema Business School

Social Entrepreneurship Internship, Malawi

Roots Interns connected me with the perfect organization to grow my personal and professional skills. With their help I was able to travel to Malawi and be a part of projects that make a tangible impact in the community. I was able to see first-hand how nonprofits function in a developing country and the work I did made changes that I could see reflected in my time on the ground. This internship changed my career goals by exposing me to a whole new way of working and I couldn’t be more thankful to Roots Interns for the role they played... See More

Amanda, American – Indiana Universtiy

Community Development Internship, Malawi

Malawi will forever hold a deeply special place in my heart! The team at my host organization and in the community were so welcoming that I grew to feel fully part of life in Malawi. I got the chance to explore all around the country while being immersed in the culture and making incredible new friends. Being based on the shores of Lake Malawi was truly like waking up in paradise each morning and there were plenty of activities and adventures to be had. Each day brought something new and my internship abroad has truly shaped my future.

Amanda, American – Indiana University

Community Development Internship, Malawi

Important information about Malawi

Internship locations in Malawi

Sustainable tourism marketing internship

Nkhata Bay

Nkhata Bay is a busy, little port town in the North of Malawi located on the shore of Lake Malawi. It offers small town vibes mixed with the hustle of markets, crafts, and tourists all while surrounded by the best that nature has to offer.

Education internhip malawi

Lilongwe

Located in the center of the country and being the capital city, there is never a dull moment here. With plenty of restaurants, shops, markets, and hikes, opportunities to meet new people and try something new are never far.

More Malawi Information

Weather and Climate

There are two main seasons in Malawi; the dry/hot season from May-October with highs around 35°C and the wet/cooler season from November-April with lows of around 15°C. Temperatures average between mid 20s°C to 30s°C year round.

Safety and Support

Malawi is considered to be a safe country where tourists are not at risk beyond petty theft. It is always advisable to keep your belongings close & secure and never to walk alone at night. During an internship in Malawi you can rest assured our experienced partners will take good care of you and assist in the case of any event.

Malawi Travel Requirements

  • Visa – check with your home country’s embassy to confirm the requirements; there is no volunteer visa for Malawi so you can enter on a 3 month tourist visa and apply for an extension
  • Travel InsuranceWorld Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using the link. We do not represent World Nomads, so remember that this is information only and not an advertisement to purchase travel insurance through them.
  • Police Clearance / Background Check – as a standard policy, this is mandatory for all interns at all locations
  • Vaccinations – generally recommended: routine vaccinations, typhoid, hepatitis A & B, MMR, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis

MALAWI FAQS

Where will I stay during my internship in Malawi?

If you are a vet student heading to Lilongwe for our Veterinary Wildlife Internship, you’ll stay on-site at the wildlife center in their volunteer housing facility that provides vegan/vegetarian meals, shared and private rooms, and communal working and relaxing spaces all surrounded by nature in the big city. 

For all other NGO internship options, you’ll stay at a nonprofit ecolodge on the banks of Lake Malawi in the northern town of Nkhata Bay. With views of palm trees and green-blue water, this lodge has an idyllic location and a relaxed vibe. You’ll enjoy a private beach, beautiful gardens, a beach bar, and several communal spaces. The rooms are comfortable dormitories, although there are options of upgrading to single chalets, too. The lodge is a hub for people who are volunteering their time at different community and environmental projects in the area, so you can expect to share this gorgeous space with like-minded people.

Is it safe to do a student internship in Malawi?

Yes! As long as you’re aware of your surroundings, educate yourself on recommended precautions, and use good common sense. Don’t forget, you’ll be living in volunteer hubs that are experienced in hosting overseas travelers of all ages and experiences, so you’ll be in good hands.

What are the living costs in Malawi?

It depends, of course, on how many extra activities you do and souvenirs you buy, but you can get an estimate of the total cost of the internship based on the “fees” that are noted in the listing. Local meals cost around $2 and day trips range between $10-50 depending on the activity. Keep in mind, accommodations costs and a one month food package are included in the fees, so you don’t have to budget for that!

When should I start planning my internship in Malawi?

The sooner the better! It’s good to give yourself enough time to plan your travels, apply for your visa if you need one, receive any required vaccinations, and get fully organized. We recommend starting the process at least 6 months ahead of time, however, we’re always happy to find you something last minute, if needed!

How do I apply for an internship in Malawi?

First, take a look at our above list of internship positions in Malawi. Once you pick one that suits your interests, you can apply by filling out the application form online. We’ll then get back to you within a couple of days to schedule an online interview. This will give us a chance to find out more about your goals, and will allow you to ask any questions you may have. If it’s a good match, we’ll put your application forward to the host organization.

If you aren’t sure which internship opportunity you like best, send us a message and we’ll be happy to talk through the options with you! We want you to be placed in an internship that will give you the most beneficial work experience possible.

Recent Blogs About Malawi Internships

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HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.

GET STARTED

SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR

We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.

INTERNSHIP MATCHING

If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.

PAYMENT

If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.

CONFIRMATION

Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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