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Area: 118,000 sq. km
Population: approx. 12 million
Time zone: GMT + 2 hours
Religion: Predominately christian
Capital city: Lilongwe
Independence: 6 July 1964
Currency: Malawi Kwacha
Malawi - a land of startling contrasts - a little known
gem in the heart of central Africa. Towering mountains,
lush, fertile valley floors and enormous crystal-clear
lakes are the hallmark of much of the Rift Valley system
that so dominates this land-locked country. At its lowest
point, the country is only about 35m above sea level.
At it's highest is Mt Mulanje, over 3000m above sea
level. Much varied scenery can be found between the
two.
Today, Malawi is a wonderful, warm, friendly and welcoming
country.
Malawi, meaning reflections or light in Chichewa the
local language, is the name taken by a newly independent
nation in 1964. A relatively small country, Malawi is
dominated by a vast inland sea - Lake Malawi, a part
of the Great Rift Valley system that runs from the Red
Sea in the north to the Zambezi valley in the south.
In all, over twenty percent of the country is covered
by water. The Shire river, the only outlet from Lake
Malawi, joins the Zambezi in Mozambique, thence to the
Indian Ocean.
Malawi is a poor country, even by African standards.
Education is limited due to lack of funding, a shortage
of schools and books. But Malawian music, dance and
traditional oral literature live on with Malawians considered
one of the friendliest peoples anywhere in Africa. Tea,
coffee, sugar and tobacco are the main exports. Outside
of these commercial farming regions subsistence farming
dominates the landscape.
See our selection of Malawi
Itineraries |
Main
Attractions
Malawi's best known attractions are are featured in
more detail within our Destinations, Special Interest & Adventure Portfolios'. Browse through the selection
below:
Lake
Malawi
Liwonde
NP
Nyika
Plateau
Vwaza
Marsh GR
Hiking
- Mt. Mulanje
Horse
Riding Safaris
Comment: Malawi does not rival its neighbors as a
big game destination - but its people are amongst
the most friendly you will encounter, it has a remarkable
variety of birdlife and the beaches and Lake Malawi
are fabulous.
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LAKE MALAWI CRUISES
Cruise the Lake on M.V. Ilala
Based out of Monkey Bay, MV Ilala takes passengers,
vehicles and just about everything imaginable backwards
and forwards - up and down the Lake. The ship calls
at villages all along the Lake, with disembarking passengers
climbing down the side of the boat onto waiting dugouts
before being ferried ashore!! The schedule is definitely
flexible and subject to delays! Be warned, this is most
definitely not luxury cruising but an experience from
another era - Africa style! There are basic (but adequate)
single and double cabins on the upper deck which are
well serviced by friendly and helpful staff.
MV SUNBIRD, Lake Malawi
For the first time the M.V. Sunbird is offering schedule
transfers from Club Makokola to Mvuu Camp & Lodge in
the Liwonde National Park. This is a unique opportunity
for the visitors to sail in a large boat out on one
of Africa's great lakes into the Shire River past the
historical town of Mangochi, into Lake Malombe before
entering the Shire River again and sailing into the
scenic Liwonde National Park. M.V. Sunbird is a 22m
cruiser equipped with toilets, lounge, bar, kitchen
and can sleep in comfort at least 10 people. It has
an elevated sundeck which offer excellent game viewing.
Read
More..
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National Parks
- Link to National
Parks: Malawi
Accommodation Options
- Link to Malawi:
Places to Stay
Climate
Malawi enjoys an equable climate where temperatures vary
greatly according to altitude and proximity to the Lake, where
it is tropical and hot. The air on the highland plateau is
always bracing. The dry season is in winter, from April to
October, with rain falling during the summer months, particularly
from December to March. March/April (after the rains) is the
best time to see the wild flowers on the Nyika plateau and
September/October (when it is very dry) would be the optimum
time for game-viewing and the summer months being the best
time for birding.
Health
Issues
Malaria is prevalent in Malawi - be prepared.
Entry
Requirements
There are no inoculation requirements for entry into Malawi,
but visas are required except nationals of commonwealth countries,
USA, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Portugal.
Communications
Direct dialling is avaailable to practically all countries
and there is also a GSM cellular phone system in operation.
The international dialling code for Malawi is +265.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 230/240V AC, 50Hz. Rectangular three-pin
plugs are standard.
Concerns
Safety
Malawi has the reputation of being one of the safest countries
in Africa. But like any country in the world, crime is not
absent.
Other
Considerations
Wood carvings
Malawi is well known for its excellent (and inexpensive) wood
carvings - some of the finest in the region. The 'chiefs'
chair is synonymous with Malawi - being carved from a single
tree trunk.
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