Experience the beauty of... INTRODUCTION

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS IN

alawi is not only the warm heart of Perhaps like no other nation, Malawi is a nation Africa, but also the genuinely friendly, dominated by a lake. In fact, Lake Malawi, the third- Msafe and in many ways undiscovered largest in Africa, covers an impressive 20 per cent heart of Africa – an exclusive destination that of the country’s total surface area. It is thought is just that little bit di erent from its better- to contain more species of fi sh – many of them known neighbours. endemic – than any other body of water on Earth.

It’s a place where tourists seem to be travellers. The main attractions of Lake Malawi are Typically, they are visitors who already know its discreet island hideaway properties, its Africa but now seek a more varied and surprisingly smart lakeside lodges, and the great altogether broader experience. In fact, Malawi’s opportunities to dive, snorkel, kayak, sail and swim unique selling point is the sheer variety of things in its delightfully warm and crystal-clear waters. to see and do in a comparatively confi ned area.

Malawi has great and improving game Parks SOARING and Reserves (there are nine, in fact) with a Away from the lake, visitors are attracted by broad and growing range of species, great walking and climbing, especially in the Mulanje birdwatching, varied climates and interesting Massif, with its soaring peaks of up to 3,000 topographies. metres, where climbers will fi nd excellent facilities including teams of willing porters. Malawi’s parks and reserves are growing in Visitors can also go horse riding (even within popularity – as the number of newly built camps Nyika National Park) and mountain biking. and smart lodges will testify – and overall animal and visitor numbers are rising as a result of The Shire Highlands area around Mulanje is the e­ orts by the Department of National Parks heart of Malawi’s famous tea-growing region. & Wildlife and those working closely with the Both Mulanje and Thyolo have tea plantations Department. featuring restored colonial estate houses where guests are treated to old-style service and But wildlife and birds are not the only reasons to delicious home cooking. visit Malawi.

2 Karonga L TANZANIA

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a l a M e MALAWI Kasungu Then there is the cultural life, which has a higher profi le in Malawi than in many other African destinations. Most itineraries drawn up by tour CE NT RA L Ntchisi MOZAMBIQUE operators will include some aspects of the local culture – the cuisine, the ceremonies and the w Dowa lifestyle – with opportunities to interact with Mchinji i Salima local people. Lilongwe In terms of getting around, the national road network has been greatly improved. Journey times have been shortened between Lake Dedza Malawi and both Lilongwe and Blantyre as well Mangochi as to and from the main parks and reserves. Lake This has made itinerary planning more certain, Malombe Ntcheu allowing tour operators to intensify trips in MOZAMBIQUE terms of what to see and do.

Lilongwe and Blantyre, the commercial centre of Machinga

Malawi, are both easy to get around. The newly r e i Zomba Lake developed area of Lilongwe, just north of the S h Chilwa Mwanza Old Town, has been thoughtfully laid out and S OU THE R N boasts the country’s fi rst fi ve-star hotel. Blantyre Blantyre also has many fi ne hotels, geared largely to Chiradzulu business visitors. Chikhwawa Mulanje

S h Thyolo i Whether one is arriving as a tourist or travelling r e on business, Malawi is a place that visitors AFRICA always want to return to; and for those posted to Malawi from overseas, it is a place they don’t ever seem to want to leave. Malawi

Nsanje

3 WILDERNESS & WILDLIFE

GLORIOUS NATIONAL PARKS

or the fi rst time in many years, Malawi restocking and careful translocation. More now o ers Big Five game viewing in rangers have been engaged; highway links are Fsome of Africa’s best managed and being improved, as well as the tracks inside the least crowded national parks and reserves. parks and reserves. Moreover, the signposting is much better now. New camps and lodges, Malawi’s Department of National Parks and often with local community involvement, are Wildlife (DNPW) is responsible for 12 ‘protected’ appearing in greater numbers, too. areas comprising fi ve national parks, four wildlife reserves and three sanctuaries. Thanks Malawi’s parks and reserves are astonishingly good to some innovative ideas in relation to game value. Revised daily fees are US$10 for foreigners, management, Malawi has transformed its wildlife $7 for resident foreigners, $1 for Malawians and and wilderness areas. Partly as a result, animals free entry for accompanied children under 12. and species numbers are on the increase. This Foreign vehicles are charged $3 to $15 depending upbeat assessment contrasts sharply with the on weight and Malawi vehicles $3 to $10. situation of the 1990s when poaching and issues of land use were a major problem. Malawi’s main wildlife areas are:

Much remains to be done, but Malawi is moving Nyika National Park is the nation’s largest at in the right direction as it seeks to restore its 3,200 sq km. Nyika contains one of Africa’s national parks and reserves to their former fi nest examples of montane plateau with high glory, both naturally and with the help of densities of leopard as well as zebra, roan, eland and reedbuck; on the lower slopes there are elephant and bu­ alo as well as warthog, Zebras at Kuti Community Ranch, Salima bushpig and hyena. The park also contains about 200 species of orchid.

Nyika is also popular with birdwatchers. It contains more than 400 species, including the rare Denham’s bustard, the wattled crane and the endemic red-winged francolin. Other activities within the park include trekking, mountain biking and horse riding.

4 Main picture: Feeding time for lions – one of the Big Five at Majete Wildlife Reserve Above: Mother and baby elephants at GLORIOUS NATIONAL PARKS Lifupa Dam in Kasungu National Park

The 2,316 sq km Kasungu National Park, again Lake Malawi National Park is Malawi’s smallest bordering Zambia, is Malawi’s second-largest. and is also a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Animal densities are not high as in Nyika; but park occupies the peninsula and the park has roan, sable, kudu, impala and was set up to protect the more than 1,000 fi sh hartebeest plus some zebra and bu­ alo. Lucky species and other aquatic creatures in the lake. visitors might get to see wild dog and serval. The park also contains hyena, and hippo in the Lufupa Dam. WILDLIFE RESERVES:

The 700 sq km Majete Wildlife Reserve is run JEWEL by the African Parks Network. African Parks has reintroduced about 3,000 animals. The Big Many consider the 580 sq km Liwonde National Five, including black rhino, can now be seen Park to be the jewel in the crown in terms of here. Sable are also present. game-viewing; and it is certainly one of the most scenic, with the Shire River winding along The hard-to-reach Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, its western border. The park has elephant, rhino, covering 340 sq km, is now in the hands of bu­ alo and hippo as well as sable, impala, Project African Wilderness (PAW), which has reedbuck, oribi and big cats such as leopard a management agreement with DNPW to run and serval. There are also good opportunities the area. The Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve has to view the exotic bird species. su­ ered from neglect and animal sightings are now limited; but the DNPW is making e­ orts Lengwe National Park, right on the to upgrade it. Birdwatching, however, remains Mozambique border, has su­ ered a great deal excellent. The 900 sq km Vwaza Marsh Wildlife in the past from poaching. But Lengwe is the Reserve is home to Malawi’s widest range of most northerly habitat of the nyala. A few large mammals, including elephant, hippo, kudu other antelope live in the park, but are harder and impala. to spot. The birdlife is abundant, however, and enthusiasts will be eager to see the black-and- Both wildlife and beach options are available white fl ycatcher, barred cuckoo and bush-shrike at the Kuti Community Ranch in Salima. Finally, among many. there are three wildlife sanctuaries in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu.

5 CULTURAL HERITAGE

SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE...

alawi has a rich cultural heritage. these is distinct from the others with its own Much of its culture has deep tribal outstanding features. Mroots, while some of its newer festivals and events are truly national in scope and MALAWI CULTURAL FESTIVAL importance.

The Malawi Cultural Festival (MaCFest) was In recent years there has been an upsurge of launched in 2012. Billed as a celebration of festivals and other cultural events at various everything Malawian in terms of culture, this key locations in Malawi, providing visitors and event features poetry, the visual arts, traditional local people alike with a brilliant showcase dances, theatre and band performances. for artistic talent across the whole spectrum, from dance and drama to fi lms and fashion. The aim of MaCFest is to revitalise the cultural Lovers of Malawian arts and culture are spoilt life of Malawi by providing an annual celebration for choice when it comes to events. Each of in selected cities featuring creations by local artists, food, live music, dance, theatre and fun for the whole family.

The Department of Culture wants to showcase the artistic culture of Malawi, promote cultural networking between local and international artists, and encourage local cultural industries that can help boost the national economy.

OTHER FESTIVALS

The Blantyre Arts Festival, founded in 2009, aims to unify and promote Malawian arts and

Veranda or ‘nkhonde’ tailors are a common culture and to bring together the best of the sight in many of Malawi’s urban centres best among local artists.

6 SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE...

The festival is held in Blantyre in October each year. It brings to Malawi various well-known musicians and also features productions by distinguished drama groups.

The festival programme also includes poetry readings and comedy acts by renowned performers.

The Sand Music Festival is held at Nkopola. This festival endeavours to involve everyone in the Malawian music industry. Unlike the Blantyre event, the Sand Music Festival focuses on live performances by local artists, with over 50 Bicycle “taxis” Malawian musicians performing on one platform.

The three-day festival consists entirely of live music. The Sand Music Festival has replaced the Lake of Stars Festival, which was held in previous years.

Other festivals include Music and Moonrock, which are held along the lakeshore in Chintheche and Mangochi. However, the venues can be changed as long as the festival is along the shores of the lake.

Malawi’s popular curios

7 CULTURAL HERITAGE

ETHNIC TRIBES ARTS AND CRAFTS

The many ethnic tribes also o­ er opportunities Arts and crafts are an essential part of Malawi for visitors to experience the unique Malawi culture. A notable pioneering enterprise is the culture by taking part in the various tribal Kungoni Arts and Crafts Centre at Mua, which festivals. The most notable include: trains people from the community in song, dance, wood-carving and other skills. - The Kulamba Ceremony among the Chewa In August each year there is a cultural open day people, which takes place in August during which the local communities showcase - The Umtheto among the Ngoni in August their various dances. Pottery is also produced at - The Gonapamuhanya Festival in September the Dedza and Nkhotakota Pottery.

- The Mulhakho wa Alhomwe in October.

All these events and others are a unique way to sample the diverse culture of Malawi.

WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Chongoni Rock Art Site in Dedza, which charts the history of early settlers, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1996 by Unesco.

Also designated a World Heritage Site, in 1984, is Lake Malawi National Park. The unique Vimbuza dance

8 LAND OF RHYTHM AND DANCE

alawi is a land of dance. So much so that initiation ceremonies, the installation of chiefs, Unesco has classifi ed many of Malawi’s funerals and various celebrations. The dance is a Mdances as unique. link between the spiritual past and the present. As part of everyday life in rural areas, dance takes It is claimed that the Chewa live alone, with their many forms and is performed for many di­ erent identities hidden by masks and their bodies reasons – for example, as celebration, for healing covered in animal skins. These dancers, at the and as a welcome for an important visitor. Dance behest of the chief, are responsible for driving styles also tend to be regional and tribal. away evil spirits.

One of Malawi’s best-known dances is the Vimbuza, a healing dance that is popular among UNIFORMS the Tumbuka. This dance, which in the past has been the subject of suppression, remains a key Other dances, such as Malipenga and Chiwoda, part of traditional rural healthcare. The dance were rarely performed outside of political is performed by women who form a circle contexts. The Malipenga is performed to drums around the patient while men keep up drum by the older men, with costumes inspired by the rhythms to accompany the song and dance. uniforms worn by European soldiers during World War II. More mysterious is the Gule Wamkulu (the Great Dance), which is performed by Chewa (secret Other dance forms that had in the past been societies) at the request of the village headman. less popular, such as Chilimika, are now These are masked men who dance at male experiencing a rebirth.

Unesco has classifi ed and declared Vimbuza and Gule Wamkulu as masterpieces of oral and intangible heritage of humanity. Another dance, Tchopa, has also been proposed for this rare classifi cation

9 LAKE MALAWI & ISLANDS

A WATER WONDERLAND...

ake Malawi is one of several impressive boats of up to 17.5 metres in length working its lakes running more or less the length waters, while many small boats also go out each Lof the Great Rift Valley. It is Africa’s day in search of fi sh from villages along the lake. third-largest lake after Lake Victoria and Lake The lake contains more species of fi sh than any Tanganyika as well as the second-deepest in other comparable body of water on Earth. Africa and the eighth-largest in the world. Dotted along the western shore is an assortment The lake stretches for over 580 km from north of small resorts as well as the occasional to south and is 75 km across at its widest campsite or isolated lodge. These stretch from point. Occupying about 20 per cent of the Karonga in the far north, close to the Tanzanian total surface area of Malawi, the lake covers an border, to Mangochi, the southernmost tip of area of 29,600 sq km, most of which is located the lake, before it empties into Shire River, the within the State of Malawi. only outlet of Lake Malawi. There are various tourist lodges and facilities on the lakeside, Lake Malawi dominates life across much of the while other hideaway lodges are perched on country and provides a livelihood for many small eco-islands out in the lake reachable only Malawians. It is a bountiful supplier of fi sh, with by boat or canoe.

Fishermen on Lake Malawi

10 Main picture: Aerial view of the Likoma Island shoreline A WATER WONDERLAND... Above: Lake Malawi is a paradise for scuba divers

As well as lazing on Lake Malawi’s idyllic beaches Bay in the far south of lake each Friday at 10 or secreting themselves away on a rocky island, am and heads north, making 11 stops (including visitors can enjoy the lake to its fullest. Thanks to two in Mozambique) before returning to the huge array of species in this freshwater lake, Monkey Bay the following Wednesday. The the snorkelling and diving is virtually without ferry has two grades of cabins and is truly an equal in Africa. Visitors can also go sailing, either experience to enjoy and savour. Passengers in small boats or even overnighting in a large can choose to buy voyage segments from the catamaran. vessel’s regular round-trip itinerary rather than staying on board for the full six-day trip. The lake has its own national park, covering just 94 sq km, in a stunningly beautiful location at Cape Maclear. The park was created to protect the lake’s endemic fi sh species and is Malawi’s only Unesco World Heritage Site. This area was a favourite with the explorer David Livingstone and the graves of fi ve early European missionaries can be found in the park.

ADVENTUROUS

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.

For those with some time on their hands, one of the truly delightful and mildly adventurous ways to see the lake is to take a trip on the venerable 1949-built ferry ‘Ilala’. The vessel leaves Monkey

11 MALAWI CITIES & TOWNS

CONTRASTING CAPITALS...

s in many countries, the administrative of Zomba, a popular university venue. Today, and commercial capitals of Malawi are Lilongwe is a city of serenity and orderliness Ain di erent places. While Lilongwe with a somewhat unhurried pace of life. is the nation’s rather prim-and-proper seat of government, Blantyre is its more boisterous In addition to government employees, Lilongwe business hub, home to Malawi’s stock exchange attracts people working for international and non-governmental organisations. As a result, and with a greater sense of history. the city is more cosmopolitan than any other Lilongwe has been the nation’s capital only since in Malawi, providing visitors with an agreeable 1975 when it was moved from the colonial town expatriate lifestyle. There are few tra¬ c jams and little in the way of crime. The city has some decent restaurants and places to shop as well as o­ ering easy access to the delights of the Central Region and being located within striking distance of Lake Malawi.

A ‘must see’ in Lilongwe is the 120 hectare wildlife centre. Located in the centre of the city, this delightful and well-run amenity is a sanctuary for a range of orphaned and other animals.

STADIUM

To the south, Blantyre’s central business district, meanwhile, is the place for deal- making, fi nance, trade and transport. Both by day and by night Blantyre, with a population of about 750,000, is livelier than Lilongwe, Leopard at the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre – a containing more hotels, bars and restaurants wilderness experience within the capital city than the nation’s more reserved capital. It is also the location of the national stadium.

12 Blantyre – Malawi’s commercial capital CONTRASTING CAPITALS...

By comparison with Lilongwe, Blantyre enjoys a rich heritage. Named after the Scottish birthplace of the explorer and missionary David Livingstone, Blantyre is one of the oldest urban centres in eastern and southern Africa. The city gained municipal status in 1895, predating Nairobi, Harare and Johannesburg. Work on its imposing St Michael and All Angels Church commenced even earlier, in 1888, and Blantyre still has close links with its Scottish missionary past.

Set in a range of hills at an altitude of about 1,000 metres above sea level, Blantyre has a rather pleasant year-round climate except for two or three months of heavy rain.

Owing to its location, Blantyre is the perfect gateway to the top national parks and reserves in Malawi’s deep south, Liwonde and Majete, and also to Zomba and Mulanje.

Part of Lilongwe city centre

13 SHIRE RIVER, STREAMS

A RIVER FOR ALL REASONS

ike Lake Malawi itself, the Shire River From Lake Malawi, the Upper Shire fl ows into holds a special place in the hearts of all Lake Malombe, with Liwonde National Park on LMalawians. its western bank. This is one of Malawi’s best areas for wildlife viewing, with large herds of The 402 km Shire River is Lake Malawi’s only elephant coming to drink at the river’s edge as outlet and is easily the nation’s longest river. It well as sightings of sable, bu­ alo, wildebeest, is divided into the Upper Shire and Lower Shire. zebra, hartebeest and even a handful of Parts of it are fast-fl owing while long stretches reintroduced black rhino. are slow and languid.

ELEPHANTS

On leaving Lake Malombe, the Lower Shire, slow moving for a stretch, is home to crocodile, mud turtle and some of Africa’s highest densities of hippo. Elephants, too, come to the water’s edge to drink and bathe.

The birdlife here is rich, with over 400 recorded species. The river attracts fi sh eagle, cormorant, heron and hammerkop.

The Lower Shire then enters its narrow middle valley. Between Matope and Chikwawa, it drops 385 metres in just 80 km and roars through a series of spectacular gorges and cataracts, successively spilling over Kholombidzo Falls, Nkula Falls, and Tedzani Falls, through the Mpatamanga Gorge and over Hamilton Falls and Kapichira Falls.

14 The Shire River within Liwonde National Park

A RIVER FOR ALL REASONS

The river exits this fast-fl owing section to fl ow Lower Shire, below the Kapichira Falls, tigerfi sh through swampy banks fl anked by the Mangoche are abundant. Downriver there are vundu and Hills and Zomba Mountain on either side. Dams at barbel. Fishing is possible between May and Nkula Falls and Tedzani Falls, northwest of Blantyre, November and requires no licence. are used to generate hydro-electric power. SPORT FISHING Below Chikwawa, the river enters a wide marshy extension of the Mozambique coastal plain. This In Lake Malawi there is excellent year-round is the only area of Malawi lower than 150 metres sport fi shing for several species, including lake above sea level. After that, the river passes tiger. The Bua River, in the Nkhotakota Wildlife through Elephant Marsh and Ndindi Marsh to its Reserve, is excellent for salmon, as are the confl uence with the Zambesi 48 km below Cena Luweya, Lufi ra and North Rukuru rivers. For in Mozambique. seasonal fl y fi shing, the streams and dams of the Zomba Plateau, Mount Mulanje and Nyika The Shire, in common with lakes and streams Plateau are well stocked with rainbow trout. elsewhere in Malawi, o­ ers good fi shing. In the

15 DESTINATION MALAWI

MALAWI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife & Culture Tourism House, O 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

USEFUL ADDRESSES AIRLINES

CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES PARKS & WILDLIFE Immigration Headquarters Between Addis Ababa and Lilongwe on PO Box 331, Blantyre PO Box 30331, Lilongwe 3 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Tel: +265 1 823 777 Tel: +265 1 759 831 Sunday. And between Addis Ababa and Fax: +265 1 823 065 Fax: +265 1 759 832 Blantyre three times a week. www.immigration.gov.mw Email: [email protected] www.ethiopianairlines.com

MALAWI CONSULATE GENERAL – MALAWI INSTITUTE OF TOURISM SOUTH AFRICA PO Box 2673, Blantyre KENYA AIRWAYS 4 Dodge Street, Woodmead 2157 Tel: +265 1 621 866 Between Nairobi and Lilongwe every day. PO Box 3881, Rivonia 2128 Fax: +265 1 621 923 www.kenya-airways.com Johannesburg Email: [email protected] Tel: +27 11234 8577/8; 11803 4919 www.mitmalawi.com Email: [email protected] SOUTH AFRICAN MALAWI TOURISM ASSOCIATION AIRWAYS MALAWI HIGH COMMISSION PO Box 1044, Lilongwe Between Johannesburg and Blantyre on 36 John Street, Holborn Tel: +265 1 770 010 Wednesday and Saturday; Johannesburg London, WC1N 2AT Tel/Fax: +265 1 770 131 and Lilongwe on Monday, Tuesday, Tel: +44(0) 20 7421 6010 Cell: +265 888 865 250 Thursday and Friday. Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.fl ysaa.com www.malawihighcommission.co.uk www.malawi-tourism-association.org.mw

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TOURISM MARKETING CONSORTIUM For a list of Malawi Diplomatic Missions c/o Geo Group & Associates www.foreignaœ airs.gov.mw 4 Christian Fields, London SW16 3JZ, UK Tel: +44 115 982 1903 Fax: +44 115 981 9418 Email: [email protected] www.malawitourism.com

@Malawi Tourism

Malawi Tourism