| Malawi is the 'warm heart of Africa', Malawi | | | | third-largest lake, Lake Malawi forms an |
| is a stable, safe African country known for | | | | inland sea with a rich marine life surrounded |
| its people with their welcoming smiles and | | | | by palm-fringed beaches and lively villages; |
| friendly nature. The centre-piece of its | | | | sailing, waterskiing, scuba diving and game |
| tourism, though, is the enchanting Lake | | | | fishing for Tiger Fish and Lake Salmon can be |
| Malawi, Livingstone's 'Lake of Stars'. | | | | done here; Lake Malawi Marine Park in the |
| Boasting a rich diversity of wildlife, fish | | | | south has been declared a Unesco World |
| and bird life as well as flora, the country | | | | Heritage Site and protects a unique diversity |
| is ideal for nature lovers with its Lake | | | | of tropical fish (more than 400 species have |
| Malawi Marine Park having been declared a | | | | been identified, most of which are unique to |
| Unesco World Heritage Site.Varied treasures | | | | these waters), a renowned colony of otters |
| including many unique species await bird | | | | and a rich birdlife.Kasungu National |
| watchers, anglers, outdoor and water sport | | | | Park:Miombo woodland interspersed with sandy |
| enthusiasts and game viewers. Other ways to | | | | plains and wide rivers; ideal for game |
| enjoy the country include sampling the local | | | | viewing and bird watching especially at |
| 'chambo' fish or a Malawi Gin and Tonic and | | | | Lifupa Dam; of particular interest is |
| buying souvenirs made by highly skilled | | | | Kasungu's famous elephants; Stone and Iron |
| craftsmen, such as chief's chairs, floor | | | | Age sites and rock paintings can be |
| mats, wooden masks, traditional cane items, | | | | found.Zomba Plateau:Stands 900m above the |
| baskets, carvings and raffia beach | | | | city of Zomba covered in evergreen forest and |
| hats.CAPITAL:LilongweCLIMATE:Tropical with | | | | verdant grassland; home to Blue Monkeys, rare |
| wet and dry seasons. Dry season (Apr-Nov) is | | | | montane forest birds and epiphytic orchids; |
| also a good time to visit. Warm months are | | | | ideal for fishing in the Mulunguzi Dam and |
| mid-Aug to Nov, with October the hottest. | | | | hiking; the viewing points of Queen's View |
| Rains (Nov-Apr) are intermittent. In winter | | | | and Emperor's View allows visitors to take in |
| (dry season) there are high winds and some | | | | the invigorating air; of interest in Zomba |
| dust storms.CURRENCY:1 Malawi Kwacha = 100 | | | | city are the traditional African market and |
| Tambala. USD or Pounds Sterling traveller's | | | | botanical gardens.Nyika National Park:The |
| cheques are recommended. Credit cards are not | | | | Northern Highlands form the greatest |
| commonly accepted, except in big hotels. | | | | wilderness area in Malawi; the Nyika Plateau |
| Foreign exchange shortages can be a problem. | | | | holds Africa's highest concentration of roan |
| The import of foreign currency is unlimited | | | | antelope, great herds of eland and other |
| if declared. The export of foreign currency | | | | mountain game, which can be viewed from |
| is allowed up to the amount declared upon | | | | horseback; other activities include mountain |
| arrival.ELECTRICITY:230 volts, 50Hz. Plugs | | | | biking, birding, trout fishing and hiking; |
| are 3-pin square.HEALTH:A yellow fever | | | | alpine flowers, orchids and proteas cover the |
| inoculation is an official requirement for | | | | high meadows; nearby visit the Vwaza Marsh |
| travellers coming from an infected country or | | | | Game Reserve.Liwonde National Park:Malawi's |
| area. Visitors are advised to take | | | | premier game area and habitat of the Big |
| pre-arrival precautions against malaria (risk | | | | Five, this riverine park on the bank of the |
| exists throughout the year in the whole | | | | Shire River features many hippo, elephant, |
| country), Hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. | | | | crocodile, lion, leopard and birds; a must-do |
| Other health concerns are meningitis | | | | is the leisurely boat safari upriver into |
| (depending on time of year and area visited); | | | | Lake Malombe; the Park contains the only |
| insect-borne diseases; cholera (officially | | | | population of Lilian's lovebird in |
| considered infected); bilharzia (some | | | | Malawi.Lengwe National Park:Home to the |
| stretches of Lake Malawi: it is recommended | | | | attractive Nyala Antelope, buffalo, |
| that you don't swim in stillwater pools or | | | | Livingstone's Suni and birds like the |
| ponds in rivers below the plateaux or on the | | | | Gorgeous Bush-strike, African Broadbill and |
| shores of Lake Malawi away from the sandy | | | | Crested Guineafowl.Lilongwe:Also known as the |
| beaches of lake-side tourist resorts, Lake | | | | 'Garden City' for its colourful flowering |
| Malawi should not be used as a source of | | | | trees and wooded slopes of indigenous trees; |
| drinking water unless water has been boiled | | | | visit the Kitu Botanical Gardens; Chinese |
| or filtered first); pollen (people with | | | | Pagoda and Water Gardens; Capital Hill; |
| allergies or asthma may suffer discomfort | | | | National Library; Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary; |
| from pollen etc.); poor medical facilities; | | | | New Market; Old Market; Old Town; and Asian |
| unavailability of medicines; and HIV | | | | Quarter.Blantyre:Founded in 1876, this is the |
| AIDS.LANGUAGE:Chichewa is the national | | | | commercial capital of Malawi; surrounded by |
| language and widely spoken. English is the | | | | hills and mountains; visit the nearby Michiru |
| official language.PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:New Year's | | | | Mountain Park; Thyolo tea district; Shire |
| Day (1 Jan); John Chilibwe Day (15 Jan); | | | | river and game parks; Majete and Mwabyi Game |
| Martyr's Day (3 Mar); Good Friday (9Apr); | | | | Reserves and curio shops.Mount Mulanje:An |
| Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); | | | | isolated massif containing 20 granite peaks, |
| Freedom Day (14 Jun); Independance Day (16 | | | | the highest of which soars to 3000m offers |
| Jul); Mother's Day (9 Oct); Christmas Day (25 | | | | serious climbers several challenging routes; |
| Dec); Boxing Day (26 Dec)SHOPPING:Wood and | | | | spectacular waterfalls, forests and tea |
| soapstone carvings; wood and cane furniture; | | | | plantations decorate the area; of botanical |
| pottery; beadwork; colourful fabrics; raffia | | | | interest is the Mulanje cedar, believed to be |
| items; instruments.SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:Over 99 | | | | unique to this area.Viphya Plateau:A must-do |
| percent of the population is African, with | | | | for bird watchers; the Luwawa Dam has |
| the largest group being Chewa. The main | | | | established itself as an adventure centre, |
| religious beliefs are traditional. Suits or | | | | with canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing and |
| jacket and tie are suitable for business | | | | more available.Gerald Crawford was born in |
| meetings. Although the dress code is now more | | | | South Africa, studied electronics, |
| relaxed than used to be the case, visitors | | | | telecommunication, eco-travel and african |
| should take care not to offend local | | | | travel concepts. He taught responsible |
| sensitivities.TIME DIFFERENCE:GMT | | | | tourism in South Africa. If you have any |
| +2TIPPING:Tipping is permitted.TOP TEN | | | | questions or comments please e-mail me on. |
| ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:Lake Malawi:One of | | | | E-mail Address: |
| the world's biological wonders and Africa's | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |