Somehow Malawi could be described as the Switzerland of Africa, small enclosed country with a lot of mountains, lakes and rivers - unenvolved and independent of happenings in countries around it.
Monkey Bay Beach
Lake Malawi is the third largest in Africa and coveres one-fifth of the countries territory. Globally, it contains more species of fish than any other lake (10 families and about 500 species), freshwater fish, and yet unusually colourful as those in the ocean. It stretches nearly 600km from Monkey Bay in the south to the Livingston Mountains (Tanzania) in the north.
Favourite spots:
Monkey Bay Sunset
Thumbi Island, a small island accessable Monkey Bay or Cape Maclear by small boats, only minutes away. It allows really close-up observing of Fish Eagles. A local guide will spot them from the boat and throw fish near the boat attracting the birds to swoop within meters of his guests. The rocky shores make nice picnic spots (please take your rubbish with you though) and super snorkelling to see the colourfull fish, like swimming in an aquarium. Guides will show one safe places to swim or snorkel, the calm brack waters are a heath and bilharzia risk.
What's really great:
Ferry arriving at Likoma Island
- taking the ferry which continously shuttles the length of the lake. It also stops on Likoma Island, one of the most romotest places i've been to, a mission geographically in Mozambique but signed as Malawiian territorial waters over sundowners by british and portugese officials in the 50's!
- travelling costs are minimal once arriving there
Sights:
Likoma Mission
Lake Malawi National Park and Kasungu National Park are a bird and wildlife observer/photographers paradise.
The old cannon and clocktower at the outlet of the Lake (town Mangotchi)
St. Peters Anglican Church and mission on Likoma Island
Accommodations:
Cottages at Monkey Bay
Not many hotels but some resorts and guest cottages (National Parks) along the coast. Camping sites are common.
There is one resort on Likoma Island - see www.ast-reisen.de
Nightlife:
Some Stuff on Malawi
Lilongwe Golf Club: quite a drive from the lake (80km from Chipoka) but our choice to spend New Year at. Arriving there dressed in our best (we could) safari gear, we were sent back into town to get ourselves the required ties - no problem; countless street side tailors will quickly tailour a tie from off-cut zany matterial. We were then allowed entrance and had a bash with the local expats.
Hangouts:
Crowed awaiting Ferry
We didn't see any other than in Blantye and Lilongwe. Shops, like in the picture here, offer local beer, gin(great) and cigarettes for only a few cents!
Restaurants:
Lunch Break!
Restaurants are rare. We cooked ourselves at the camp sites or cottages, enough fresh fish, vegitables and fruit being available in local markets and roadsides.
Other recommendations:
Access Road to Zomba Plateau
Blantyre, commercial center of Malawi and most travellers arrival point in Malawi.
Lilongwe - capital city
Mount Malangi (2135m) and surrounding tee plantations and cedar forests.
Zomba Plateau and Mandala Falls; makes great hiking!
Usefull Websites: www.guide2malawi.com (great!) www.malawiholiday.com www.tourismmalawi.com (includes the timetable of the ferry)
hii rudi,
well i have read so many reports from you that now i always look one from you ,about this malawi lakes you have really taken effort to write .
excellent report
ravi
What a month you have had! 30 reports written! All the criticisms under the sun - but you persevered. You made the top twenty Globo's members (Congratulations) and finally written a decent report ;-)
You have really done well - I am delighted for you and I hope that you are a contender for the member of the month (September 2004).....you really deserve it!
This is by far your best article - (I know that English is your second language) - well done - it is excellent and worth ***** for your incredible efforts!
Cheers and Congratulations,
Brit
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