Malaria due to Plasmodium ovale is uncommon outside West Africa. A 37-year-old male German who had returned from Malawi four months previously presented in September 2003 because of fever recurring every two days. The patient had never been to West Africa. Microscopy of stained thick and thin blood films revealed P. ovale. This is the first report of a P. ovale infection acquired in Malawi, East Africa. Malaria surveillance centres should monitor the possible emergence of autochtonous transmission of P. ovale in the area.