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.
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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.
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| Favourite spots: |
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Zomba Plateau, Thyolo, Cape Maclear (Cape Mac Lodge) & Salima.
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| What's really great: |
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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.
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| Sights: |
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Zomba Plateau, Cape Maclear, Salima
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| Accommodations: |
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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.
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| Restaurants: |
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Froggies at Cape Mac Lodge
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| Other recommendations: |
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Vipya and Nyika Plateaus in north of Malawi
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Published on Monday December 24th, 2007
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Thu, Dec 27 2007 - 05:06 AM
 by zrusseff
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. |
Mon, Dec 24 2007 - 02:51 PM
 by davidx
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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