  | Factsheet | Lake Malawi | Map of Malawi | Golf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodges/Parks | Flights | Chichewa Phrases | ||
| Tips |
| Comments | Enquiry |
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| Factsheet | Lake Malawi | Map of Malawi | Golf |
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Malawi is a small inland country situated at the southern edge
of East Africa. Malawi was known as Nyasaland until it became independant in 1964. In the 19th century it was a flourishing
centre for the Arab slave trade, until the arrival of David Livingstone in 1859. The trade was abolished when the country
became a British protectorate in 1891. In 1953, it joined the Central African Federation. Zomba, a small town in the southern region, was formally the
adminstrative capital of the Federation also known as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland ,before the
federation broke up. Northern Rhodesia took the name Zambia, Southern Rhodesia
became Rhodesia and then Zimbabwe, and Nyasaland became Malawi under the leadership of Dr Hastings Banda. One-party rule was established
and the country has only recently adopted a plural political system. Hastings Banda was educated by missionaries, and at the age of 12 walked to
Johannesburg (over a thousand miles) and found work as a clerk in one of the gold mines. He was noticed by a philanthropist who paid for his
continuing education before he went to medical school in Scotland.
Area:
118,484 sq Kms. The Great Rift Valley
which runs north/south for most of the country's length contains the 580 km long
and up to 80 Km wide Lake Malawi.
Climate:
Tropical; rainy season December to March The lakeshore areas have low
rainfall, and a warm relaxing climate, with mean daily temperatures ranging from 26C in Jan. to 21C in July. The highland areas have greater temperature
changes and the air is bracing. The nights can be cold. The dry season is in the winter between May and October. It rains quite a lot between
December and March.
Population:
10 million (est). Annual rate of growth 3.2%
Principal Cities:
Lilongwe (capital), population 350,000;
Blantyre 450,000; Mzuzu 75,000; Zomba 60,000. High rural density (88% of population).
Heavy land pressure.
Education:
36% adult literacy rate.
Religion:
Principal religions are Christianity
and Islam.
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Health: Limited medical facilities outside of the main towns.
Cholera, Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Polio precautions required. AIDS is
prevalent. Travellers are advised by me to carry a personal medical kit containg
a syringe and needle and an intravenous needle.
Mortality:
1 in 4 die before reaching 5 years.
Refugees:
As a result of the conflict in Mozambique, there
are over 1 million refugees in Malwi, imposing severe economic and food burdens.
Language:
English and Chichewa official. English used
commercially.
Weights and Measures:
Metric system in general use,
statutory for pharmaceuticals and petroleum products.
Clothing:
Formerly, restrictions were placed on dress and
hairstyles, but now, no restrictions apply.
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Road:
The total road network in Malawi comprises aprox 13,663.7 Km
of which about 3000 Km are bitumenized.- The current state of the roads is bad
due to lack of repair. Great Care should be taken when driving a hire car. Things
to look out for are, huge potholes, children and animals. At night, pedestrians
are most commonly found in the middle of roads in dark clothing. Pigs love to run
out in front of your car.
Railway:
Two lines in the country. to Beira and Ncala in Mozambique.
Services were subject to Geurilla acivity in Mozambique, but I'm unsure of the current
situation, no doubt much improved.
Air:
Kamuzu International Airport near Lilongwe for main international
carriers, twice weekly flights to/from South Africa to Chileka, Blantyre.
Communications:
Air mail service between Britian and Malawi
six times a week, delivery is usually made in about 10 days. Letters sent by surface
mail take about three months. Air courier service available. Goods are usually
shipped via Durban or Dar es Salaam and trucked overland.
Agriculture:
Most important sector of the economy supporting
85% of the population and contributing 40% of GDP. Three main cash crops are
tobacco, tea and sugar; also pulses and groundnuts. Livestock comprises cattle,
goats pigs and sheep.
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Industry:
Mainly import substitution. Limited by size of
domestic market and lack of local raw materials although wide variety of products
eg. food processing, cement and bricks, and textiles. No minerals commercially
exploited as far as I know.
Tourism:
Tourism is relatively unimportant to the Malawi
economy, although great efforts have been made to make Malawi more attractive
as a holiday choice.
Trade Policy:
Signatory to Lome convention. Except for
certain items, no import licences are required for goods originating from Sterling
territories.
| High Comissions | |||
| British High Commision Lingadzi House P O Box 30042 Lilongwe 3 Malawi Telex: 44727 UKREPLIMI Tel: 010 2650 731544 |
Malawi High Commision 33 Grosvenor Street London WC1X 0DE Tel: 0171 491 4172 | ||
Press above for Nicks Hot-Links
Press below for the Safari Home Page
There are quite a few Hotels on the lake shore, the nearest to Lilongwe
can be found near Salima (one and a half hours drive), and is called the Grand Beach Hotel and is well
worth a visit, providing Wind-Surfing, Sailing and Swimming facilities
in addition to day trips to the nearby Bird Island.Perhaps the most haunting lakeside sound is made by the African Fish Eagle
and Lake Malawi resounds with their cries.
Blantyre - Blantyre sports club, Blantyre City Centre !
Lilongwe - Lilongwe sports club, close to Old Lilongwe town
Lilongwe Golf Club is the only 18 hole championship course in Malawi. It has
been much improved recently and is now under the management of a charming couple -
Alex and Patsy. Mention my dogs name and they will give you 10% DISCOUNT on
Golf, sporting facilities, and camping.
The golf course is home to quite a large
variety of wildlife, and Pythons can be found on the 14th and 15th holes!. A large
monitor lizard, known in Southern Africa as a Legavaan, lives in the rough around
the 8th hole. He's about 6 feet long (1.8m) and stands with his head about 2feet(50cm)
above the ground.
Daily membership fee to the club is MK100 - about 4Ukpounds - 6USdollars.
This also provides access to all facilities of the club including camping.
18 Hole Green Fees cost MK50, caddy MK15 + tip.
Monthly Membership - MK450 - double MK350 - single.
Lilongwe Golf Club also reciprocates with most other clubs in Malawi, some in South Africa
Zambia, and Scotland. The club is two minutes from the Police Station, 5 minutes from 5 star Hotels,
10 minutes from the main Bus Station.
Zomba - Zomba sports club, Very beutiful and well kept
Dwangwa - Dwangwa sports club, Very well kept and pretty - 9 hilly holes
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I haven't got any good prices together yet but as far as I know there aren't
any inclusive deals on the scale of those offered to Kenya, however, I'm enquiring
at the moment and will update this section very shortly!.
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Game Parks and Lodges.
Aqua Africa
Land and Lake Safaris
Heart of Africa Safaris
Kambuku Trails
Cape Maclear Water Sports
Rift Lake Charters
Into Africa Safaris
Waterline
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Based in Nkhata Bay, a port of call for the Malawi Ferry "The Ilala",
Aqua Africa is run by Andy & Dusty from purpose built premises on the Lake
Shore.
Offering affordable, NAUI affiliated, dive courses at all levels as well as
other water based activities, its a fablulous place to spend a few
days/weeks.
Contact details: Aqua Africa, PO Box 209, Nkhata Bay, Malawi
Tel/fax: + 265 1 35 2284
email: andy@aqua-africa.com
Web at www.aqua-africa.com
Lodges
10 & 17 DAY SAFARIS
Mobile photographic Safaris. Guaranteed Monthly departures.
Activities include: Game Walks, Snorkeling, Hiking, bird watching, windsurfing
etc.
Areas visited include: Nyika, Liwonde & Lake Malawi National Parks,
Vwanze Marsh, Viphya and Zomba Plateau, Mt Mulanje, Chintheche Beach.
Contact us now for a free brochure.
P O Box 2140, Lilongwe, Malawi. Tel/Fax: (265) 723 459 Telex: 44725
Lodges
Heart of Africa Safaris offers the opportunity of exploring all Malawi
has to offer, either on its own, or in combination with the Luangwe Valley,
Zambia, where the exceptional wildlife helps to make a Safari to this
unknown region a memorable one.
We are a company that believes in low impact tourism and therefore welcome
you to form you own small groups. We specialise in tailor making or safaris
to suit your particular interests.
Each safari is limited to a maximum of six people, ensuring exclusiveness
and a top class personal service. Ten days is the recommended minimum period
for a safari but shorter safaris to a particular area are possible. Every
safari is accompanied by a caterer thus ensuring the highest standard of
cuisine, while the accommodation varies from private cottages to small National
Park lodges.
As well as the tailor made safaris we offer two open departures a year (in
May and October) of two weeks duration which take in the best of Malawi's
wildlife areas and the Luangwe Valley, Zambia. We also offer four
specialist hiking trips each year of two-three weeks duration. These include
hiking on Mulanje Mountain, the Nyika Plateau and in the Luangwa Valley.
Our new project in 1993 is the setting up of horseback safaris in the Nyika
National Park.
P O Box 8, Lilongwe, Malawi. Tel: (265) 740 848. Telex: 4447,
Fax: (265) 740207
Lodges
Kambuku Trails specialises in personalised safaris around Malawi and to
Zambia's South Luwangwa Valley.
Tailor made itineraries are arranged for small groups and special interest
groups are welcomed. Safaris are fully catered and accompanied by a licenced
guide.
Contact Address: Kambuku Trails, P O Box 1304, Blantyre, Malawi.
Tel: 633 737/622 256/731 141 Fax: 623 283/731 141
Lodges
Scuba Diving:
Boat dives, Dive Safaris, Equipment Hire, Air fills.
Courses:
NAUI sanctioned training. Internationally recognised certification.
Open Water One, Open Water Two, Advanced Diver, Dive Master.
Snorkelling.
Sailing: ten man catamaran - day trips including snorkelling, Sunset Cruise, Halcat Hire.
Also Available: Windsurfing, Waterskiing, Fishing, Boat Hire, Rest House Accomodation,
Camping, Bar and Restaurant.
Contact: Clive or Winsome at Stevens Rest House, Chembe Village, Cape Maclear, Malawi.
Address: Private Bag 11, Monkey Bay, Malawi, Tel: 584782
Lodges
Saling Safaris and Scuba Diving Safaris for the more adventurous. Sail, snorkel
or scuba dive in tropical waters from out 8 metre catamaran. Camping on secluded
beaches under tropical skies.
Dive Tours and one day Sailing trips for those who prefer more luxurious hotel
accomodation. These operate out of the southern lakeshore hotels, in Lake Malawis
freshwater National Park. Enjoy safe diving, view the many species of colourful tropical
fish. Night dives available.
Scuba Diving Instruction available from one day introductory courses, right through
to advanced courses for experienced divers. Also a wide range of motorised and
non-motorised watersports offered.
Contact: Rift Lake Charters
P O Box 284
Mangochi
Malawi.
Tel: 584473. Fax: 584576.
Lodges
Starlake Islander:...This is a 17m 2-deck trimaran for longer daytime
curising expeditions on the Shire River, Lake Malombe and Lake Malawi. She has a
toilet and high quality food can be supplied.
There are 40 different cruise options available to choose from ranging over a
distance of 150Km. Cold box storage is on board for cool drinks. She is a magnicicent
platform for game viewing, for diving and snorkelling expeditions or for just relaxing
and enjoying the beutiful scenery.
Tambala:...Relive the legendry David Livingstone's exploration of the Shire River
(pronounced Shirry), flowing between green banks alive with game. Or explore the
river that runs through Liwonde Game Park aboard the Tambala. Relax on the shaded lower
deck with a cool drink or go to the upper deck and photograph the wildlife.
Contact: P O Box 1641
Blantyre
Malawi.
Tel: 532552, Fax: 532374
Lodges
Camping, accomodated tours, hiking, gamewalks, etc. Group and single arrangements.
They do all your bookings for accomodation, Parks, Bushcamps, Diving, Lake cruises,
Shire River Cruises, Car Hire and everything else.
Contact:P O Box 1971
Lilongwe
Malawi.
Tel Sinyala 8, Fax: 722046.
Lodges
CHICHEWA PHRASES.
Moni - Standard Greeting
Muli Bwanji - How are you
Ndili Bweno - I am well
Tikulandirani - Welcome
Chimbudzi chili kuti - Where is the toilet
Pepani - sorry
Tionana - see you later!Amuna - Men, Mwamuna or Mamuna - Man
Akasi - Women Azimayi - Woman
Msungwana or Nsikana - girl.... M'nyamata - boy
Kodi Mupita Liti - When are you going
Kodi Mukupita Kuti - where are you going
Kodi Mukufuna Mupite Liti - When do you want to go
Ndifuni Kupita Ku..(Lilongwe) - I want to go to Lilongwe
Ndlama Dzingati - How much does it cost
Tsalani Bwino - Stay well (when one is living)
Thanks to Felix Sindima for help with the phrases
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