MALAWI- THE WARM HEART OF AFRICA
Malawi one of the most beautiful countries of Africa has an unsurpassed combination of Lakes, Scenery and Wildlife offering an immense diversity of vast inland sea and splendid scenery. It is the best tourist destination for a beginner who is visiting Africa for the first time. Malawi formerly known as Nyasaland is a landlocked country in southeast Africa bordered by Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. Lake Malawi separates the country from Tanzania and Mozambique. Even though Malawi is one of world’s least developed and most densely populated countries it is a must visit destination with friendly locals and relative ease of travel. The name Malawi is derived from the ‘Maravi’ which is an ancient name of the Nyanja people inhabiting the area.
Malawi was under the British rule until 1964, when the country gained its independence and became a single party state under the presidency of Hastings Banda who remained in power till 1994. Presently, Malawi has a democratic, multi party government having pro-Western foreign policies and good relations with all international organizations. The climate here is equatorial but the altitude moderates the temperature being hot in the low lying areas and cool in the highlands. The climate is cool and dry during May to August becoming little chilly, hot from September to November and wet from November to April. The area near Lake Malawi experiences pleasant cooling breezes during winters. The tourists should carry light wear clothing with little warmers for their travel here.
ECONOMY
In the past, the economy of Malawi was highly dependent on the economic aid from international agencies like World Bank and IMF along with some developed individual nations. Malawi is an agricultural based country having around 85% of the population living in rural areas. Almost 90% of the export revenues come from agriculture contributing to more than one-third of GDP. Although the economic growth is almost 10% in 2008, Malawi still remains to have one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world. There are also some main industries set up in the country like tea, tobacco and sugar processing, cement and consumer goods. The government is really working hard to improve infrastructure, education, health care and agriculture in Malawi.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
The population of Malawi consists of a diverse range of ethnic groups like Sena, Tonga, Chewa, Ngonde and many more. Chichewa is the main official language widely spoken by more than 57% of the population. Other native languages include Chinyanja, Chiyao and Chitumbuka. A small percentage of Asians and Europeans are also living in this country. Christianity is the main religion followed by almost 80% of the population. Islam is the second main religion consisting of most of the Muslim population being Sunni. The rest 4% of the population includes Jews, Hindus, atheists and people practising traditional African beliefs.
Malawi has a rich culture known to be the centre of excellence for handicrafts. Visitors can have the cultural experience by interacting with the local people who happily welcome their interest in their daily life. The main Malawian culture is based on the traditional people living in rural villages who are conservative and peace loving. Malawi is famous for its traditional music and dances which is visible at rituals, marriage ceremonies and celebration and initiation rites. The Gule Wamkulu is a famous traditional dance in Malawian culture performed with the heavily carved masks, feathers and skin paint. Soccer and Basketball are the popular sport here whereas native tribes have a tradition of basketry and mask carving. Tourists would also like to purchase wood carving and oil painting popular in urban centres as souvenirs.
TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Malawi’s international airport is situated in the capital, Lilongwe catering flights from Europe and Africa. Many airlines like Air Malawi, South African Airways and Kenya Airways have regular flights to the airport here. The airport has all the facilities including the duty free shop, car hire, restaurants, bank/ bureau etc. Tourists can also travel by water through Llala Ferry connecting Malawian ports with Metangula and Cobue in Mozambique. Malawi also has road connections with its neighboring countries viz. Mozambique at Mwanza, with Tanzania at the Songwe River Bridge and Zambia through the main Lusaka highway. There is also Central East African Railways having a wide network passing through Zambia and Mozambique. For travel within the country, cars and motorcycles can be hired from Avis and SS rent-a-car agencies as most of the main routes have good quality roads making road travel easy and safe. There is also a good service of buses and minibuses though their frequency in the rural areas is a little less.
The network and communications is good in Malawi giving a good coverage of mobile network in all urban areas. Internet is available in most of the luxury hotels and there are some cafes in the cities too. The postal service is good taking a week to ten days for post to reach to Europe by airmail. TV is state run whereas radio is both national and privately owned.
FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION
Many restaurants in hotels and cities provide a range of multi cuisine including European, Korean, and Chinese along with the authentic mouth watering Malawian dishes. The country’s national dish undoubtedly is the fresh fish from Lake Malawi, chambo which is the main lake delicacy. Bread made with banana ( Nthochi) and Mbatata cookies are other main specialities. The local Malawi beer, gin and tonic are very good and inexpensive with cult status.
Malawi offers good hotels in all major cities, major attractions and along the shore of Lake Malawi. The same good facilities as the hotels can also be found in the luxury lodges with excellent water sports and private beaches. Travellers wishing to go out for camping can do so in the main game parks and reserves which provide outstanding camps with permanent accommodation. There are also some campsites along the lakeshore and in the resort and forest areas. The best accommodation which the travellers will not find anywhere else is the safari camps and lodges. The government has organised the privately run safari camps in all the main parks and reserves including Liwonde, Kasungu, Nyika and Vwasa. The mid price accommodation and camping is also available for those who want to go easy on the budget. It is en suite staying facility with log cabins and bamboo huts along with full catered meals.
LILONGWE
Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi is the main centre of administration of the entire country consisting of embassies, banks and other office buildings. It was made Malawi’s capital in 1975 and is a town worth touring with an appearance of both traditional African buildings and modern settlement. The Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary is an exciting place to visit to see the wilderness consisting of a few precarious looking cages having hyenas, monkeys and crocodiles. The market is a blend of modern shops of the City with exciting street and walled markets of Old town. The market is always bustling with traders, vendors selling fascinating stuff. Old Town Mall is famous for collecting souvenirs along with African Habitat where the locally crafted ornaments and furnishings are found. Tourists can also visit the Parliament Building holding significant historical and political importance. Tobacco Auction Floors is another interesting site to visit to experience Malawi’s economic heart.
ATTRACTIONS
• Kasungu National Park is beautiful natural woodland where elephants and antelopes are found in abundance along with significant number of hippos in the lake at Lifupa.
• Lake Malawi, the third largest lake of Africa is an extraordinary lake reflecting the enormity of the natural faulting of the Great Rift Valley. Visitors can kayak through the lake and discover the untouched islands and a near deserted beach. The lake is home to more fish than any other lake in the world and some of the rarest tropical fish is also found here.
• Blantyre is Malawi’s largest town and the commercial capital being a must visit in the country. Tourists can go sight seeing to the National Museum, St. Michael and All Angels Chruch and Mandala House which is the oldest European building in Malawi.
• Liwonde National Park is the traditional wildlife park and the most popular one in Malawi. Tourists can enjoy the game viewing and wildlife which includes a variety of elephants, hippos, antelopes, side striped jackals and waterbucks.
• Lake Malawi National Park is the world’s first freshwater national park situated close to Monkey Bay. Visitors can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving in the lake and view some of the rare tropical fish along with bushbuck, klipspringer and vervet monkeys. Swimming, sailing and kayaking are also available along the lake.
• Tourists can also hike to the majestic peak of Mount Mulanje and take in spectacular view from the top, ride a horse on to Nyika Plateau known for safaris on horseback and cycle through Luwana Forest and along the lake shore.
Malawi, despite its splendid landscape, friendly people and the Lake with its white sand beaches and islands is not yet recognized as a real tourist destination. The travelers must visit this country totally unharmed by the usual tourist trappings.
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