Although the Republic of Malawi is one of the world’s least developed countries, it has probably the world’s friendliest population! Holidays in Malawi are therefore exceptionally enjoyable as well as, in cultural terms, being especially authentic and in-depth. Add to this superb birding, interesting and varied gameviewing, the stunning Lake Malawi and much of geographical interest and one has all the ingredients for a favourite Africa destination – and Malawi is certainly one of ours. Formerly known as British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland, Malawi gained independence in 1991. Agriculture predominates economically, with tourism also being important. Over one fifth of the country is taken up by the enormous Lake Malawi which is one fifth of the country’s 118,500 sq km area and runs almost the entire eastern length of the country. sailing on lakes in africa Malawi’s climate is sub-tropical, the scenery is breath-taking and, in short, the country can be described as a narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, highlands, mountains and, of course, the lake.
Malawi is certainly our favourite birding destination with over 600 recorded species; birding is superlative near the lake and also in the highlands to the extent that the a Malawi holiday is truly exceptional in this regard. Most visitors to Africa come for the wildlife and a Malawi safari certainly has its fair share, including some predators and good elephant, antelope and river/marsh dwelling species populations; but wildlife in Malawi is not at the density of, say, Tanzania to the north. However Malawi is actually probably the most “rounded” country in Africa in terms of tourism as there is so much else to see and do.
A Malawi holiday is not complete without a visit to Lake Malawi. The lake’s measurements are easily remembered at (very) roughly 365 miles long by 52 wide and, of course, the eastern side of the lake is actually in Mozambique as the Mozambique/Malawi border runs down the lake safari malawi There is swimming, scuba diving, canoeing, windsurfing and kayaking on the lake’s crystal clear freshwaters so one can be as adventurous as one likes or, alternatively, just laze on the sand beaches or in the little inlets. malawi lakes holidays Goggling or diving near the rocky outcrops is akin to swimming in an aquarium as the variety of cyclids (tropical fish) in the lake are amazing and the Lake Malawi Marine Park was actually the first park in the world to protect the marine life of a fresh, deepwater, lake. There are various yachts one can charter for a few days or a week - the sailing is excellent - before, perhaps, heading up to the highlands to the tea plantations and the cooler weather or to see some game.. (Refreshingly, lodges in Malawi tend not to be super-luxury but there are some exceptionally comfortable and very personable places indeed both in the bush and on the lake; excellent guiding is also the norm).
Malawi’s wonderful culture and crafts such as pottery will probably be one of the over-riding highlights of a visit as well as its scenery and geographical variation. Malawi derives its name from the Maravi people who lived there at the time when Arab and Portuguese merchants visited the country, they were preceded by Bantu tribes who emanated from Angola and, before that, bushmen.
Finally, Malawi is a rare beast indeed: a destination which can be all things to all people as holidays in Malawi can easily be combined with Zambia, South Africa, Tanzania or Mozambique.
Technorati Tags: holiday malawi, holidays malawi, malawi holiday, safari malawi