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