 THE MAGIC OF MALAWI |
Tourism
Malawi, Lake of Stars
Discovering Eden
There’s magic in the stillness of the early morning, a sense of expectancy as the sun climbs high, heat settling on the shimmering sand, and peace as velvety darkness Cloaks the warm evening.
Malawi is enticing. This warm heart of Africa beckons you, urges you to take time off and come on holiday that will afford you a lifetime of memories. Come with your family – Malawi loves children – or come with that special person in your life, but come prepared to fall in love all over again. You will be enthralled by our friendly people, and welcomed with smiles and warm greetings – Tikulandirani, ‘Welcome ‘ and Muli bwanji?, ‘How are you?’
Wherever you go in Malawi, you will find this same warmth of welcome, an innate courtesy, and a desire to be of service to the visitor. Many Malawian speak English and even in more remote places. You’ll find someone coming forward, eager to show off his linguistic achievements.
| LAND OF THE LAKE |
Come first to our Lake. Here, along the palm - fringed shore, you can relax and forget for a while those day –to – day concerns you’ve left behind. You’ll find hotels catering for all tastes, with the accent on simplicity and comfort.
The days are long and lazy, the clear, fresh water safe for swimming. And the gently shelving sands ideal for children. Water sports are enjoyed year round, and equipment is available for hire at all resorts.
| THE BECKONING HILLS |
Lake Malawi is set among rolling hills, some rising steeply from the water , and covered in tropical vegetation. A network of roads allow you to explore at leisure the various results along the neighbouring lakeshore, or to venture a field into the highlands and plateau of the Central and Northern Regions. Here are situated the largest of Malawi’s national parks and nature reserves, home of a large variety of wildlife and offering accommodation in charming lodges or rustic rondavels. The breath-taking visits across the lake into distant Mozambique as you ascend the escarpment road to the northern most resort, the Nyika, are unforgettable. You are transported into another time, another place, another enchantment.
| THE FERTILE SOUTH |
South from Lake Malawi, a journey of about three hours by road, one comes to Blantyre, the commercial centre, a busy thriving city, and focal point of tours into the nearby areas. Blantyre is surrounded by imaginative hills, MICHIRU – the rain mountain, NDIRANDE – the sleeping man mountain,, SOCHE and Mpingwe. Further south, MULANJE Mountain raises its lofty peaks, appearing to rise sheer from the surrounding plains, and is the haunt of mountain climbers, hikers, trout anglers and nature lovers. North of Blantyre another mountain vies with Mulanje in its attractions. ZOMBA MOUNTAIN, at the foot of which nestles the town of the same name with its aura of colonial days, is accessible by car (unlike Mulanje). A roads winds right up to the plateau where a prime site is occupies by KU CHAWE INN, a delightful base for fishing expeditions, hiking or gently driving from one dramatic viewsite to the next. | | WE OFFER YOU WARM HOSPITALITY |
From the moment you set your foot in our vibrant land, you will realise every effort is been made to attend to your comfort. The Ministry of Tourism maintains a constant watch on accommodation standards throughout the country.
In the cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre you’ll find superbly appointed hotels of international standard, with air – conditioned bedrooms, restraurants serving first-class cuisine, poolside bar and snack service, well stocked bars – often the meeting place of local businessmen and residents. Look out for their welcoming smiles too.
There are coffee shops, discotheques, curio shops, either attached to the hotels or in the close vicinity. Likewise, tennis courts, squash courts and swimming pools provide an outlet for pent – up energies. Hotel can arrange for car hire facilities, fax and postal needs. Hairdressing salons are found in most of the hotels and laundry services are offered.
The art of warm hospitality is found especially at the resort hotels and lodges, however. This is where you will experience the essential Africa, as you are summoned to your repast by pulsating African drums, a beat that causes your skin to tingle at first hearing. Smiles enfold you as you tumble out of your car on arrival, eager hands take up your katundu, luggage, and lead you to the cool shade of your hotel. You’ll find simplicity and charm, whether your choice is a thatched cottage complex, an airy modern building perched among rocks, or a cloud – swept timber lodge in the mountains.
You won’t find high sophistication here, perhaps, but friendly service, simple and delicious served in unique surroundings, opportunities to relax on sub-bathed beaches, or in dappled glades. At evening under the myriad stars, quench your thirst with an excellent locally brewed beer (or refreshment of your choice – here too the bars are well stocked) and absorb the night sounds of Africa, before retiring into your comfortably appointed bedroom, still within reach of those magical sounds.
| THE PURSUIT OF YOUR CHOICE |
Whether you’re an avid angler or game fish enthusiast, you’ll find a hideaway to test and improve your prowess – and you’ll be amazed at the variety of fish in the rivers, lakes and mountain streams.
Game Parks have been designed to protect and conserve the species endemic to an area, and today a number of reserves each with its own peculiar flavour, exist throughout the country. Explore these by car, from game – viewing hides, on foot in the company of a game guard, from the vantage point of a boat.
Malawi is also a paradise for dedicated ornithologist, as well as for the novice bird watcher. You will be enchanted by the endless variety of wildflowers, among which orchids alone have an increasing following! Take your camera wherever you go, you’ll want to record all the wonders you’ll see.
And on the Lake, you’ll be exhilarated by sailing – yachts, catamarans and dinghies – water skiing, board sailing, snorkelling, skin diving, pedallos, rowing, canoeing. The year – round sunshine makes this Lake a wonderland of fun. |
