Experience the beauty of

www.visitmalawi.mw Introduction

‘Takulandirani’ a warm welcome awaits

alawi is not only The Warm number of newly built camps and sail and swim in its delightfully warm MHeart of Africa, but also the smart lodges will testify – and and crystal-clear waters. genuinely friendly, safe and in many overall animal and visitor numbers ways undiscovered heart of Africa – an are rising as a result of efforts by the Soaring exclusive destination that is just that Department of National Parks and little bit different from its better-known Wildlife and those working closely Away from the lake, visitors are neighbours. with the Department. attracted by walking and climbing, especially in the Mulanje Massif, with It’s a place where tourists seem to be But wildlife and birds are not the only its soaring peaks of up to 3,000 metres, travellers. Typically, they are visitors reasons to visit . where climbers will find excellent who already know Africa but now seek facilities including teams of willing a more varied and altogether broader Perhaps like no other country, Malawi porters. Visitors can also go horse experience. In fact, Malawi’s unique is dominated by a lake. In fact, Lake riding (even within Nyika National Park) selling point is the sheer variety of Malawi, the third-largest in Africa, and mountain biking. things to see and do in a comparatively covers an impressive 20 per cent of confined area. the country’s total surface area. It is The Shire Highlands area around thought to contain more species of fish Mulanje is the heart of Malawi’s famous Malawi has great and improving game – many of them endemic – than any tea-growing region. Both Mulanje and parks and reserves (there are nine, in other body of water on earth. Thyolo have tea plantations featuring fact) with a broad and growing range restored colonial estate houses where of species, great birdwatching, varied The main attractions of Lake Malawi guests are treated to old-style service climates and interesting topographies. are its discreet island hideaway and delicious home cooking. properties, its surprisingly smart Malawi’s parks and reserves are lakeside lodges and the great Then there is the cultural life, which growing in popularity – as the opportunities to dive, snorkel, kayak, has a higher profile in Malawi than in Karonga

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Nkhotakota ‘Takulandirani’ a warm welcome awaits Kasungu MAMALAALAWALAAALAWWI Ntchisi C ENTRAA L Dowa Mchinji Salima

many other African destinations. Most itineraries drawn up by tour operators will include some aspects of the local Dedza culture – the cuisine, the ceremonies Mangochi and the lifestyle – with opportunities Lake to interact with local people. Malombe Ntcheu

In terms of getting around, the M O ZAMBIQ U E national road network has been Machinga greatly improved. Journey times e have been shortened between Lake Zomba Lake S h i r Chilwa Malawi and both Lilongwe and Mwanza as well as to and from the SOUTHERNSSOUTOUT E main parks and reserves. This has Chiradzulu made itinerary planning more certain, Blantyre 3000m allowing tour operators to intensify Chikhwawa Mulanje trips in terms of what to see and do. S h ri Thyolo e National Parks and Wildlife Reserves Whether one is arriving as a tourist

or travelling on business, Malawi is Commercial Airports

a place that visitors always want to Aerodromes return to; and for those posted to Malawi from overseas, it is a place Chongoni Rock Paintings Nsanje they don’t ever seem to want to leave. Lake Malawi National Park (World Heritage Site)

Malawi The Warm Heart of Africa www.visitmalawi.mw Getting there

10 REASONS TO VISIT From Europe and North Malawi using the most modern equipment and shortest routes from MALAWI America Europe. This is complemented by the • Pleasant climate (via Addis Ababa), easiest-ever access to both Blantyre KLM (via with and Lilongwe from all Malawi’s neigh- • Peaceful and compact Airways), South African Airways (via bouring countries and Johannesburg) • Big on hospitality Visas • Lake Malawi Regional airlines flying All nationalities require visa to enter • Africa’s newest Big Five to and from Malawi Malawi, except for: destination Malawian Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Fast Jet, Kenya Airways, South African • Nationals from the Southern Africa • Authentic nature Airways. Development Community (SADC) experience countries, except for those countries that subject Malawians to a visa • Attractive outdoor Airports within SADC;

sporting conditions Most international flights land at • Nationals from the Common Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, but • Rich cultural heritage Market for Eastern and Southern several flights, especially those from Africa (COMESA) countries, except • Local delicacies Johannesburg and , land at the for those countries that subject business centre of Blantyre in the south. • Popular events Malawians to a visa within COMESA; There are internal flights throughout • Diplomats accredited to Malawi; the country. With the growth of tourism there, Likoma Island now has its own • All diplomatic and service/official bituminised runway and serviced airport. passport holders coming for official business;

Malawian Airlines • Other ordinary passport holders coming on official government business. Malawi’s national carrier is Malawian Airlines. Since 2014 and the transfor- mation of national air services through privatisation, it has been managed by Ethiopian Airlines.

These two airlines offer the widest selection of departure points for Customs and immigration Officials try to make your arrival and departure as trouble-free as possible and baggage handling is efficient. Our brand essence The usual personal allowances are granted. Travelling overland, Malawi has become a very popular staging post Malawi tourism’s brand essence rests for trans-Africa travellers and it is a on three major competitive very good country in which to begin an attributes namely: African trip. Many tour operators offer • Rich in contrast - diverse lake experience, variety of packages into and out of Malawi and landscapes, habitats, climates and cultural assets there are regular coach services from Johannesburg and Harare. • Compact in size - short distances between attractions, comparatively little crowded When to visit • Big in hospitality - Peaceful environment, neighbourly Malawi is always beautiful. The cooler social interaction, tolerant and authentic relationship with months (May to August/September) are visitors and other cultures. more comfortable for travellers from the northern hemisphere, but the lush, The Malawi tourism logo depicts the country’s core tourist green summer (November to April) products which are as follows: is also a good time to visit. May and June combine the best of both seasons • Red – represents the warmth and friendliness of the – cooler, still green with great visibility – people of Malawi and are especially good for photography. Country dirt roads are sometimes • Gold within the heart – represents the richness of Malawi’s impassable to normal vehicles during numerous natural resources heavy rains. Game viewing is best in the • Blue – represents the lakes and rivers of Malawi, with hottest times of the dry season when the striped blue depicting enchanting waves of the fresh the animals are forced to visit water waters of Lake Malawi sources, but the countryside is more attractive in the wetter, greener months. • Green – represents the country’s nature and wildlife. Birdwatchers enjoy their best sightings in October and November.

Malawi The Warm Heart of Africa www.visitmalawi.mw Wilderness and wildlife

Experience our wildlife

THINGS TO DO or the first time in many years, great conservation success stories, a FMalawi now offers Big Five game public-private partnership between • Game drives viewing in some of Africa’s best government and African Parks in managed and least crowded national Liwonde National Park, Majete and • Hiking parks and reserves. Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserves has • Birdwatching seen a lot of investment in conser- Malawi’s Department of National vation and enforcement into these • Walking safari Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) is protected areas. These initiatives have • Biking safaris responsible for 12 protected areas transformed some of Malawi’s wildlife comprising five national parks, four reserves from neglected, rarely visited • Botanical safaris wildlife reserves and three sanctuaries. reserves containing a few animals to Thanks to some innovative ideas thrilling Big Five destinations. As a • Canoeing in relation to game management, result, animals and species numbers • Sport fishing Malawi has transformed its wildlife are on the increase. This upbeat and wilderness areas. In one of the assessment contrasts sharply with • Star gazing the situation of a few years ago when • Riverboat safari poaching and issues of land use were a major problem. • White water rafting Much remains to be done, but Malawi • Community and village is moving in the right direction as it tours seeks to restore its national parks and reserves to their former glory, both naturally and with the help of restocking and careful translocation. Experience our wildlife

Lake Malawi National Park is Malawi’s smallest and is also a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is the first established freshwater, underwater national park in Africa. The diversity of the lake’s native fish species is unparalleled in the More rangers have been engaged; Accessibility to our world, with 400 documented species highway links are being improved, as national parks of cichlids of which all but five are well as the tracks inside the parks and endemic. The park has its centre on the reserves. Moreover, the signposting Most of our national parks are accessible Nankumba Peninsula, but contains a is much better now. New camps and throughout the year and have airstrips total of 13 islands. lodges, often with local community for chartered flights. However, the use involvement, are appearing in greater of 4x4 vehicles is highly recommended, numbers, too. especially during the rainy season.

Malawi The Warm Heart of Africa www.visitmalawi.mw Cultural heritage

Experience our culture

alawi has a rich cultural heritage. Umhlangano wa Maseko among the Crafts Centre at Mua, which trains MMuch of its culture has deep tribal Ngoni of Ntcheu; people from the community in song, roots, while some of its newer events dance, wood-carving and other skills. and festivals are truly national in scope Mulhakho wa Alhomwe among the In August each year there is a cultural and importance. Lhomwe open day during which the local communities showcase their dances. In recent years there has been an These and other events are a unique Pottery is also produced at the Dedza upsurge of festivals and other cultural way to sample the diverse culture of and Nkhotakota Pottery. events at various key locations in Malawi. Malawi, providing visitors and local Caution: In an effort to discourage people alike with a brilliant showcase World heritage sites the cutting down of trees, it is recom- for artistic talent across the whole mended that tourists intending to import spectrum, from dance and drama to Chongoni Rock Art Site in Dedza, wooden carvings, especially those from films and fashion. Lovers of Malawian which charts the history of early hardwood, should obtain the necessary arts and culture are spoilt for choice settlers, was designated a World permits to avoid being inconvenienced. when it comes to events. Each of these Heritage Site in 1996 by Unesco. is distinct from the others with its own outstanding features. Lake Malawi National Park was desig- nated a World Heritage Site in 1984. Popular events and festivals Arts and crafts The many ethnic tribes also offer Arts and crafts are an essential part of opportunities for visitors to experience Malawi culture. A notable pioneering the unique Malawi culture by taking enterprise is the Kungoni Arts and part in the various tribal festivals. The most notable include:

The Umthetho among the Ngoni of Mzimba;

The Kulamba Ceremony among the Chewa;

The Gonapamuhanya Festival among the Tumbuka; Land of rhythm and dance It is claimed that the Chewa live alone, with their identities hidden by Malawi is a land of dance. So much masks and their bodies covered in so that Unesco has classified many of animal skins. These dancers, at the Malawi’s dances as unique. behest of the chief, are responsible for driving away evil spirits. As part of everyday life in rural areas, dance takes many forms and Uniforms is performed for many different reasons – for example, as celebration, Other dances, such as Malipenga for healing and as a welcome for an and Chiwoda, were rarely performed important visitor. Dance styles also outside of political contexts. The tend to be regional and tribal. Malipenga is performed to drums by the older men, with costumes One of Malawi’s best-known dances inspired by the uniforms worn by is the Vimbuza, a healing dance that European soldiers in the Second is popular among the Tumbuka. This World War. dance, which in the past has been the subject of suppression, remains a key Other dance forms that had in the past part of traditional rural healthcare. been less popular, such as Chilimika, The dance is performed by women are now experiencing a rebirth. who form a circle around the patient while men keep up drum rhythms to accompany the song and dance.

More mysterious is the Gule Wamkulu (the Great Dance), which is performed by Chewa (secret societies) at the request of the village headman. These are masked men who dance at male initiation ceremonies, the installation of chiefs, funerals and various celebrations. The dance is a link between the spiritual past and the present.

Malawi The Warm Heart of Africa www.visitmalawi.mw Experience Nature

Malawi’s mountain of myths

ount Mulanje – known locally as and was inspired by its mystery, magic since it was first held in the late 1990s. M‘chilumba mu mlengalenga’ (‘island and beauty – so much so that he chose Definitely not for the faint-hearted, this in the sky’) – covers an area of 650 sq the mountain as part of the backdrop 25 km event involves running up and km and is the highest peak in southern for his book. Many travellers have across the challenging plateaux of the central Africa at an impressive 3,002 followed suit. mountain. metres above sea level. Hiking In 1927 the Mount Mulanje area was The mountain, located in the south- gazetted as a forest reserve owing eastern corner of Malawi, has a Hiking to Mount Mulanje is an to its unique ecosystem, home to a fascinating ecosystem. As many as 500 exceptional experience, whether variety of rare life forms. The govern- unique species of animals and plants one approaches from the south or ment felt it was important to create the are found here and the area is recog- north side of the mountain. Trails are reserve in order to protect the area and nised as a biodiversity hot spot. clearly marked and visitors can choose safeguard the water catchment as well between a gentle trek and a serious as preserving indigenous flora such Since time immemorial there have climb. Wildlife is limited on Mount as Malawi’s national tree, the Mulanje been myths and legends about Mount Mulanje, but vervet monkey, rock cedar, from extinction. Mulanje, mostly originating from hyrax, leaf-nosed bat and klipspringer the people of the local Lhomwe, Yao are not uncommon. Professional The Mulanje Mountain Biodiversity and Mang’anja communities, who porters and guides are on hand to Conservation Project contributes by believe that spirits control life on the help visitors get the best out of their raising awareness of the value of biodi- mountain. experience. versity and its importance for the local communities. This not only ensures The story goes that J.R.R. Tolkien, The Mount Mulanje Porters’ Race, held that conservation takes place but also author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, every July, has been attracting both allows the community to play its part in visited Mount Mulanje in the 1930s local and international participants conservation. Malawi’s mountain of myths

The Mountain Club of Malawi (MCM) works with Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust and the Forestry Department to maintain nine of the 10 huts on Mount Mulanje. All provide basic amenities for a comfort- able stay.

Tea plantations The country’s tea-growing industry is centred around Mulanje and Thyolo in THINGS TO DO the south of Malawi. The tea estates around Mount Mulanje bring the land- • Cycling and mountain biking scape to life and are part of Mulanje’s heritage. • Nature trail walks and trekking • Bird watching The mountain offers spectacular views of the plantations stretching up to • Tea tasting Mozambique. Various tea estates are • Quad bikes and 4x4 driving open to the public. Tours give visitors a chance to learn more about the • Climbing and abseiling various types of tea and how they are produced. Tea tastings are an enjoyable • Extreme sports - Mount and popular part of these tours. Mulanje Porters Race

Malawi The Warm Heart of Africa www.visitmalawi.mw Lake Malawi and its islands

Experience our lake

THINGS TO DO ake Malawi is one of several impres- the huge array of species in this fresh- Lsive lakes running more or less the water lake, the snorkelling and diving • Snorkelling length of the Great Rift Valley. It is is virtually without equal in Africa. • Scuba diving Africa’s third-largest lake after Lake Visitors can also go sailing, either in Victoria and Lake Tanganyika as well as small boats or even overnighting in a • Beach soccer the second-deepest in Africa and the large catamaran. • Kayaking and sailing eighth-largest in the world. National park • Boat trips The lake stretches for over 580 km from north to south and is 75 km The lake has its own national park, • Water-skiing across at its widest point. Occupying covering just 94 sq km, in a stunningly • Sailboarding about 20 per cent of the total beautiful location at Cape Maclear. The surface area of Malawi, the lake park was created to protect the lake’s • Beach volleyball covers an area of 29,600 sq km, endemic fish species and is Malawi’s • Star gazing most of which is located within the State of Malawi.

Lake Malawi dominates life across much of the country and provides a livelihood for many Malawians. It is a bountiful supplier of fish, with boats of up to 17.5 metres in length working its waters, while many small boats also go out each day in search of fish from villages along the lake. The lake contains more species of fish than any other comparable body of water on earth.

As well as lazing on Lake Malawi’s idyllic beaches or secreting themselves away on a rocky island, visitors can enjoy the lake to its fullest. Thanks to

Malawi The Warm Heart of Africa www.visitmalawi.mw Experience our lake

only Unesco World Heritage Site. This area was a favourite with the explorer David Livingstone and the graves of five early European missionaries can be found in the park.

Out in the lake, Malawi has two islands located within Mozambican territorial waters. Likoma is the larger of the two and Chizumulu the smaller. Likoma is best known for St Peter’s Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Africa and one that appears too big for its island Location. Shire River and streams

A river for all reasons

ike Lake Malawi itself, the Shire hippo. Elephants, too, come to the LRiver holds a special place in the water’s edge to drink and bathe. hearts of all Malawians. The 402 km Shire River is Lake Malawi’s only outlet The birdlife here is rich, with over 400 and is easily the nation’s longest river. recorded species. The river attracts It is divided into the Upper Shire and fish eagle, cormorant, heron and Lower Shire. hammerkop.

From Lake Malawi, the Upper Shire The Lower Shire then enters its narrow flows into Lake Malombe, with middle valley. Between Matope and Liwonde National Park on its western Chikwawa, it drops 385 metres in bank. This is one of Malawi’s best areas just 80 km and roars through a series for wildlife viewing, with large herds of of spectacular gorges and cataracts, elephant coming to drink at the river’s successively spilling over Kholombidzo edge as well as sightings of sable, Falls, Nkula Falls, and Tedzani Falls, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, hartebeest through the Mpatamanga Gorge and and even a handful of reintroduced over Hamilton Falls and Kapichira Falls. black rhino. The river exits this fast-flowing section Elephants to flow through swampy banks flanked by the Mangoche Hills and Zomba On leaving Lake Malombe, the Lower Mountain on either side. Dams at Shire, slow moving for a stretch, is Nkula Falls and Tedzani Falls, northwest home to crocodile, mud turtle and of Blantyre, are used to generate some of Africa’s highest densities of hydro-electric power.

Below Chikwawa, the river enters a wide marshy extension of the Mozambique coastal plain. After that, the river passes through Elephant Marsh and Ndindi Marsh to its conflu- good fishing. In the Lower Shire, ence with the Zambezi 48 km below below the Kapichira Falls, tigerfish are Cena in Mozambique. abundant. Downriver there are vundu and barbel. Fishing is possible between The Shire, in common with lakes and May and November and requires no streams elsewhere in Malawi, offers licence. Meetings, incentives, conference and events (MICE)

First-rate MICE venues in elegant settings

alawi offers a range of modern team-building seminars, training Malawi has become a popular and Mconferencing and events facilities sessions, marketing rallies and business important destination for international both in its major cities and along the expositions. On the social side, it conferences, with a packed schedule of shores of Lake Malawi. They include includes luncheons and dinner dances symposiums on every subject from arti- major conference centres in Lilongwe as well as banquets, cocktail receptions ficial intelligence to wearable robotics, and Blantyre and at various tranquil and, of course, wedding receptions. and from accountancy, the arts, locations by the lakeside as well as a education and engineering to medicine, range of other well-equipped venues. The latest facilities nutrition, philosophy and renewable energy. These symposiums bring The largest of these venues are At all these venues, delegates and together delegates from all over the designed to accommodate a full range guests can expect to find modern air world, thus helping to showcase the of business and social activities. On the conditioned facilities with all the latest elegant settings and state-of-the-art business side, this includes everything audio-visual conferencing equipment. facilities now available in Malawi to an from conferences and executive board In addition, there is usually a team of international clientele. meetings to trade shows, conventions experienced personnel on hand to deal and launches as well as workshops, with the requirements of each client.

Malawi The Warm Heart of Africa www.visitmalawi.mw USEFUL ADDRESSES Tourism Marketing Consortium AIRLINES c/o Geo Group & Associates 4 Christian Fields, Department of Immigration FROM THE WARM HEART OF AFRICA London, SW16 3JZ, UK Immigration Headquarters Connects Malawi to the regional hubs Tel: +44 115 982 1903 PO Box 331, Blantyre Tel: +265 1 774 605 Fax: +44 115 981 9418 Tel: +265 1 823 777 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Fax: +265 1 823 065 www.malawian-airlines.com www.malawitourism.com www.immigration.gov.mw Elite Travel Connection (ETC) Malawi Consulate General – South Africa Malawi Tourism Marketing 4 Dodge Street, Woodmead 2157 Representative in China Ethiopian Airlines PO Box 3881, Rivonia 2128 Tel: +86 21 6044 7122 Flies into Lilongwe and Blantyre Johannesburg Fax: +86 21 6044 7122 www.ethiopianairlines.com Tel: +27 11234 8577/8; 11803 4919 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.etclux.com Malawi High Commission TravelProof BV 36 John Street, Holborn Kenya Airways Malawi Tourism Marketing Representative London, WC1N 2AT Flies into Lilongwe and Blantyre in The Netherlands Tel: +44(0) 20 7421 6010 www.kenya-airways.com TravelProof BV, Blekerssingel 4 Email: [email protected] 2806 AA Gouda, www.malawihighcommission.co.uk The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)182 550531 Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cell: +31(0)6 22990306 South African Airways For a list of Malawi Diplomatic Missions: Email: [email protected] Flies into Lilongwe and Blantyre from www.foreignaffairs.gov.mw www.travelproof.nl Johannesburg www.flysaa.com Department of National Corner Sun Destination Marketing LLC Parks & Wildlife Malawi Tourism Marketing Representative PO Box 30331, Lilongwe 3 in USA Tel: +265 1 759 831 New York City Fax: +265 1 759 832 Tel: +1 718-635-1252 Email: [email protected] Fax: +1 815-352-6163 Email: [email protected] Malawi Tourism Council www.cornersun.com PO Box 1044, Lilongwe Tel: +265 111 900 886; MAS Contour 995 676 531; 991 868 931 Malawi Tourism Marketing Representative Cell: +265 888 865 250 (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) Email: [email protected] Schwiebusser Str. 9, 10965 Berlin, Germany www.malawitourismcouncil.com Tel: +49 30 61625747 Email: [email protected] www.mascontour.info/de

Destination View online: qrs.ly/717drgo

Malawi Department of Tourism Ministry of Industry, Trade & Tourism Tourism House, off Convention Drive Private Bag 326, Lilongwe 3 Tel: +265 1 775 499; 772 702 Fax: +265 1 775 494 Email: [email protected] www.visitmalawi.mw

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