The North
The road from Kasungu to Mzuzu, a previously little-visited city in the north, runs through the hilly grasslands of the Viphya level. Further north near the Livingstonia mission to get to the Livingstonia escarpment and the Manchewe waterfalls in beautiful surroundings. There is a museum in Livingstonia. The entire region has increased recently in the visitors’ favor. Mzuzu has a first class hotel and several smaller facilities and offers itself as a starting point for trips to the Nyika National Park and Nkhata Bay. Another wildlife park in this region is the beautiful Vwasa Marsh Game Reserve.
Lake Malawi
The huge Lake Malawi extends from the extreme north-east to south of Mangochi. The bank of nearly 24,000 sq. km and 699 m high lake are predominantly sandy, erschlosseneren the coast are largely free of bilharzia germs (see health). Crocodiles are not found in the main resorts. There are no tides or currents. Most hotels have boats available and allow their guests water sports like sailing, fishing, water skiing and surfing. Lake Malawi is an underwater paradise for divers. He is the most species-rich lake in the world.
Excellent beaches invite for swimming on the island of Likoma, which is standing on a hill Anglican cathedral is also worth a visit. Accommodation is available here in limited supply.
The Lake Malawi is best learned on a tour with the Ilala II know, the little ship of the line of the lake, which runs between the Monkey Bay (north of the Club Makokola) and Karonga in the north of the country. On the 1052 km long journey, visitors can view the inland ports and enjoy the view of the mountains. The months from March to May for a trip around the lake at best. Departure is every Friday, returning on the following Wednesday. In high season it is necessary because of massive interest to book cabins on the Ilala II and pay in advance.
Cape Maclear in the vicinity of Monkey Bay is located in Lake Malawi National Park (see National Parks). A sandy beach and pleasant water temperature for swimming. The Nkhata Bay is quiet and secluded. Nkhotakota was once the center of the slave trade in southern Africa and is one of the oldest market towns in Africa.
Central Malawi
Salima Senga Bay, 19 km away from the biggest seaside resort in central region of the country lies with excellent accommodation and campsites.
The Lizard Island near Salima is a nature reserve and home to several species of lizards and eagles.
West of Salima on the way to the new capital, Lilongwe, one crosses a large fertile plain. Lilongwe, Zomba has replaced as the capital of Malawi, located in the heart of the fertile agricultural region in central Malawi. The modern city is characterized by imaginative architecture and a charming environment. North of the capital lies the 2,000 sq km Kasungu National Park is a huge area of wooded hills and grasslands, which provides a habitat for many species (see below).
The South
Blantyre, the commercial center of the southern region, was founded at the end of the last century. It is really two towns: Blantyre and Limbe, which is about 7 km apart and are separated by an industrial area. Halfway between Blantyre and Limbe, off the main road, is the National Museum. Trips can also be the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, and be taken to Mandala House, the oldest European building in Malawi.
Blantyre is located southwest of Lengwe, the smallest national park in the country (see below). 60 km north of Blantyre is the university town of Zomba, which has an excellent market. A trip to Mount Zomba, with its waterfalls, fish-filled streams, pine plantations and rare orchids worth it. His frame an offshoot of the finest golf courses in Africa on a terrain with streams, waterfalls, trees and rock formations. Nearby you will pass Chingwes hole that is supposed to be so deep that it can not be measured. In the southeast lie the sprawling tea plantations, from which rises the Mulanje Massif. Sapitwa stands at a summit over 3000 m high. Mulanje offers tourists a lot of variety, you can mountain climb, hike or fish less stressful, trout. Roads and firebreaks open up most areas of the massif. Well-maintained forest huts are ideal resting places for outings in the surrounding forests and mountains.
National Parks
Malawi has five major national parks that are open to visitors.
The Nyika National Park in the far north is open year round. Of 2000-3000 m above sea park extends over almost the entire Nyika Plateau. Rushing rivers, pine forests, deep valleys and hilly grasslands are characteristic of this region. Rare birds, butterflies, flowers and big-game wealth to make every trip an adventure.
Chelinda Camp is perched on the edge of a pine forest. From here you have a wonderful view over the lake. You can stay in cottages with open fireplace. The Chowo Forest near Chelinda is ideal for walking and one of the last remaining natural forests of the park.
The Vwasa Marsh Game Reserve is situated west of Mzuzu. A new camp with luxury cabins overlooking the lake Kazumi. Elephant, buffalo, rhino and many bird species live here including in their natural habitat. The landscape consists in part of forests, open grasslands and wetlands. This reserve is a piece of untouched nature.
The Kasungu National Park is an approximately 2000 square kilometers large forest area in the northwest of the central region. It is situated 112 km from Lilongwe. The main attraction of the park are elephants, which appear early in the morning and evening, to drink at the dambos or river channels. The grassland is the great buffalo herds for food. The shy cheetah, leopards and lions can look only rare sable antelope, zebra, kudu and reed blocks are however common. Kasungu is usually open from early May to late December. Visitors will find accommodation in the Lifupa Wildlife Lodge, a hotel complex of thatched cottages with restaurant, swimming pool, day camp and basic sanitation facilities.
The Lengwe National Park in the far southwest is only 130 square kilometers and the northernmost habitat of the rare and shy Nyala Antelope. Bushbuck, kudu, hartebeest, impala, warthog and duiker are also found here. In hidden observation posts, all these animals up close will be considered. Limited accommodations are available in Lengwe Game Camp.
The Liwonde National Park stretches across the plains of the Shire Valley from Malombe Lake in the north to the town of Liwonde area in the south. In rented boats can pass through the reed swamps and watch hippos, elephant and waterbuck at the trough. Car or bus trips to see the forest and steppe animals such as sable antelope, kudu, duiker and baboons. A water bird sanctuary offers herons, ducks, geese, kingfishers and cormorants nesting sites. The park is closed from November to May Camping and cooking facilities are available in Mvuu Camp, which is operated by Wilderness Safaris. The establishment of boat traffic between a hotel on the southern tip of Lake Malawi and Liwonde Dam is planned. For further information please contact the Department of Tourism (see Contact Addresses).
Founded in 1980, the Lake Malawi National Park covers the southern and middle parts of the lake. Tropical fish are the main attraction. Inland, one finds Klipspringer, bushbuck and vervet monkeys. The park is open year round. Campsites are available. Offer good accommodation including the Nkopola Lodge, the Club Makokola that Mulangeri and Palm Beach.
In addition to the national parks there are a number of other nature and landscape protection areas, where currently there are no accommodation facilities for visitors. The approximately 65 km north of Lengwe located Majete Game Reserve is remote and little developed. It provides a habitat for numerous species of animals, including hippos, elephants and big cats. Southeast of Lengwe is the Mwabvi Game Reserve, home to black rhino, impala, zebra and sable antelope in small numbers. Other protected areas are the Nkhotakota Game Reserve in the central region, Lizard Iceland in Salima, Lilongwe, the nature reserve in the capital and the Michiru Mountain Park, near Blantyre, a paradise for bird watchers.
