What a wonderful time in Malawi (365 miles/600km long and 52miles/90km wide). Drove from Johannesburg to Blantyre. Around southern part of Malawi, Cape Maclear, Salima and then Lilongwe. It truly is the Warm Heart of Africa.
The three borders were something - Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi - all with their own incidents, except for Mozambique. I went in a Mazda Sting and did 4,616 Km. None of my friends thought I could do it as 4 x 4's are generally used but my faithful car did it.
Left Johannesburg on Thursaday 6 December. Stayed in Musina. Next night in Harare with friends and then to Blantyre. Stayed with a friend for one night in Blantyre, next night on a Tea plantation with my godson's brother and family. 3rd night in a cottage on the Zomba Plateau. 4th & 5th nights at Cape Mac Lodge (stunning). 6th night in a Gazebo at Salima overlooking the Lake. 7, 8 & 9th nights with my godson on a Tobacco farm outside Lilongwe. Left on 17 Dec and arrived back in Johannesburg, South Africa on 20 December 2007.
Favourite spots:
Zomba Plateau, Thyolo, Cape Maclear (Cape Mac Lodge) & Salima.
What's really great:
Floating around on a Hobbie Cat on Lake Malawi. Also visiting Club Makola. Watching monkeys and Dassies on the rocks from my Gazebo at Safari Beach Lodge, Salima.
Sights:
Zomba Plateau, Cape Maclear, Salima
Accommodations:
Must have your own transport, preferrably a 4 x 4. The roads are reasonable but several parts have bad pot holes. Stay at a different place every 200km (120miles) because it takes a long time to get anywhere! See the southern part - Zomba Plateau, Club Makola, Cape Maclear (stay at Cape Mac Lodge - the best) and several places to choose from at Salima. Last year I went up the entire lake - Nkotakota is worthwhile to stay. Then got to Vipya or Nyika Plateaus in the North of Malawi.
Cheryl, staying at the tea plantation sounds wonderful. What kind of tea did they grow there? Also, were there plantations of spices & herbs as well?
Great job using miles and kilometers for the distance. Thanks for that and thanks for sharing your trip.
It's always good to see a new member wading straight in but what a pity there are no photos here. Information on the places you name under several headings would also be welcome.
It's never too late to add things to a report but nobody can give a second grading if you update it - so it's best not to rush with publishing.
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