Malawi – the warm heart of Africa by Abhijit Sengupta

Well, for me its been a life full of journeys and many of the places I have seen.... has given me moments of bliss.... that I could save in my heart. Surely enough Malawi stays somewhere on the top of my list - The Warm Heart of Africa.

Malawi - the Heart is beating faster now and the legendary welcome is there for all who wish to experience the unrivalled combination of Lake, Landscape, Wildlife & Culture in one of Central Africa's most beautiful and compact countries.

Malawi is a land locked country, in the Great Rift Valley; about 30% of its area is taken by the picturesque Lake Malawi, which runs along the North East edge. To the south of the country, Mt Mulanje, Central Africa's highest peak, towers above the plains. In the North is the Nyika Plateau, a vast expanse of rolling hills, dotted with herds of zebra and antelope. Scattered through Malawi's varied landscape are several Game reserves and Parks where the big five can still be spotted. In the middle of the country and only 1 1/2 hours from the lake shore is the capital city of Lilongwe.

Lilongwe
Lilongwe is a small city, scattered over a large area. It has two centers, old and new. In the new side, City Centre, you will find offices, banks and government Embassies separated by well-kept gardens and grassy areas. In old town you will find a vast bustling market and the chaotic mini-bus terminus, it is busy here, and there is plenty to be seen.
The Lake
There are many beautiful places to visit along Malawi's lake shore, either camping or staying in hotels or hostels. My picks are here for you.

Nkhata Bay
The small, bustling town of Nkhata Bay is cradled among the hills of the northern lakeshore. In front of the town a peninsula where Ilala ferry docks, juts into the lake. Although local 'tour guides' are a nuisance, Nkhata Bay is a lovely place to visit and offers a good balance of activities and relaxation.
Njaya Lodge - Perched serenely on a hilltop above the lake, this place is legendary on the travellers grapevine. The chalets range from simple without bathroom to comfortable with bathroom. The bar and restaurant open onto a wide terrace with a magnificent view.

Monkey Bay
This small port, at the southern end of lake Malawi, is home to a large and animated monkey population. It is also home to theIlala, the trusty passenger ferry that has been chugging slowly up and down the lake for more than 50 years. Most visitors arrive or depart on the Ilala, from the deck you will get a unique view of Malawi as the ferry calls at isolated villages, loading and offloading its intriguing cargo of fish, bicycles, goats and furniture.


Nyika National Park
Shrouded in peaceful solitude amid an expanse of waving grass and rolling hills the Nyika Plateau is protected by the Nyika National Park. The park is home to the rare roan antelope as well as many other grazing animals. The air is pure and there is a special kind of beauty in the barrenness of the plateau. On clear days the views from the edge of the plateau are endless. Although you won't see the bigger animals you see in other parks, the distinctive feature of Nyika is the romantic landscape. As you approach Giraffe, Antelope and Zebra will watch warily from a distance or gallop off into the safety of the tall pine forests around the camp.
Once inside the park you can arrange day walks or hikes that last all week, horseback safaris or drives with a ranger.

Liwonde National Park
A few kilometers south of Lake Malawi, Liwonde national park is a fine wilderness area. A boat trip of the wide River Shire, which meanders lazily through the park, is a great way to explore. You can watch floating islands of weed slip past on the smooth current, birds building their nests in the reeds, snorting hippos and snoozing crocks.
As well as its river dwelling creatures Liwonde is known for its large elephant population. You'll also see plenty of Antelope species and warthog. If you are lucky you may even spot a lion or leopard. There's also a rhino breeding program close to Mvuu Camp. It's best to visit in the dry season when the roads are more accessible and animals are easier to spot.

Mvuu Camp - This beautiful camp is perched on the riverbank in the northern part of the park. It has comfortably furnished chalets and roomy walk-in tents with bathrooms. There's a large thatched restaurant and bar overlooking the river.

Blantyre
Malawi's commercial capital, Blantyre was named after a town near Glasgow in Scotland, the birthplace of David Livingstone. The city is spread out along Chilembwe Hwy to the point where it merges into its 'sister city', Limbe. The city centre, however, hemmed into a triangle by Victoria Ave, Haile Selassie and Glyn Jones Rds is very compact and most places of interest are within easy walking distance.

There are so many places to see in this beautiful world.... but then again the time is so short....
shall we start packing today.... !

Writer Abhijit Sengupta is a management professional based in Calcutta, India, working with Emami in their International Marketing Division. Over the past twenty-three years, he has worked in a number of companies, including Coca-Cola, Raymond, Johnson & Johnson and Hindustan Unilever. He has travelled across the world extensively, he is a keen observer of human behavior, and he loves to write about his travel experiences.