The Baton had already spent time in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Uganda, Cameroon, Nigeria and Kenya as the countdown continues towards next year's Commonwealth Games in Australia. 

It then visited Tanzania, Seychelles and Mauritius before heading to Malawi on April 20.

A three day programme began with head of state Arthur Peter Mutharika taking part in a festive ceremony in capital Lilongwe. 

Comedians, bodybuilders and acrobats featured in the ceremony, which took place in front of a crowd of thousands.

The national netball team and long distance runner John Mwathiwa were also part of the event.

Netball star Takwonda Lwazi was the first to receive the Baton from the President, with expectations high for a good performance from the team at Gold Coast 2018.

The three-day programme also included a visit to Livingstonia at Lake Malawi.

Lake Malawi is also known as the Lake of Stars, with the name coming from Scottish explorer David Livingstone after he saw lantern lights reflected in the water.

Beaches located around the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage site were also the scene of activities, including beach volleyball matches.

Malawi’s highlands, located near Lilongwe, were visited to bring an end to the Baton's stay in the nation.

The Baton is currently in Zambia as its journey to the Games continues.

Namibia and Botswana are the next stops on the Baton's route before it heads to Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa.

The Baton Relay was launched on Commonwealth Day on March 13 at Buckingham Palace in London.

Each member nation of the Commonwealth will see the Baton pass through their country before the 2018 Games, which are due to run from April 4 to 15.