It lies about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Mzuzu, in the Mzimba District.

The general hospital began in the 1890s as a ministry of the Free Church of Scotland.

Ekwendeni is largely surrounded by tobacco growing farms.

It has a high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate as it is a favourite resting place for truck drivers travelling along the M1 road that connects Malawi with Tanzania, Kenya and beyond.

The town has beautiful surroundings which make the area a good destination for tourists.