Experience the beauty of
www.visitmalawi.mw
Introduction
‘Takulandirani’ a warm welcome M
alawi is not only The Warm Heart of Africa, but also the genuinely friendly, safe and in many ways undiscovered heart of Africa – an exclusive destination that is just that little bit different from its better-known neighbours.
number of newly built camps and smart lodges will testify – and overall animal and visitor numbers are rising as a result of efforts by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and those working closely with the Department.
It’s a place where tourists seem to be travellers. Typically, they are visitors who already know Africa but now seek a more varied and altogether broader experience. In fact, Malawi’s unique selling point is the sheer variety of things to see and do in a comparatively confined area.
But wildlife and birds are not the only reasons to visit Malawi.
Malawi has improving game parks and reserves (there are nine, in fact) with a broad and growing range of species, great birdwatching, varied climates and interesting topographies. Malawi’s parks and reserves are increasing in popularity – as the
Perhaps like no other country, Malawi is dominated by a lake. In fact, Lake Malawi, the third-largest in Africa, covers an impressive 20 per cent of the country’s total surface area. It is thought to contain more species of fish – many of them endemic – than any other body of water on earth. The main attractions of Lake Malawi are its discreet island hideaway properties, its surprisingly smart lakeside lodges and the great opportunities to dive, snorkel, kayak,
sail and swim in its delightfully warm and crystal-clear waters.
Soaring Away from the lake, visitors are attracted by walking and climbing, especially in the Mulanje Massif, with its soaring peaks of up to 3,000 metres, where climbers will find excellent facilities including teams of willing porters. Visitors can also go horse riding (even within Nyika National Park) and mountain biking. The Shire Highlands area around Mulanje is the heart of Malawi’s famous tea-growing region. Both Mulanje and Thyolo have tea plantations featuring restored colonial estate houses where guests are treated to old-style service and delicious home cooking. Then there is the cultural life, which has a higher profile in Malawi than in
Karonga
TA N Z A N I A
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ZAMBIA Mzuzu
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Mzimba
Nkhata Bay
ZAMBIA
awaits
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Nkhotakota
MOZAMBIQUE
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CENTRAL Mchinji
Ntchisi Dowa Salima
Lilongwe
many other African destinations. Most itineraries drawn up by tour operators will include some aspects of the local culture – the cuisine, the ceremonies and the lifestyle – with opportunities to interact with local people.
Dedza
Mangochi Lake Malombe
Ntcheu
MOZAMBIQUE
In terms of getting around, the national road network has been greatly improved. Journey times have been shortened between Lake Malawi and both Lilongwe and Blantyre as well as to and from the main parks and reserves. This has made itinerary planning more certain, allowing tour operators to intensify trips in terms of what to see and do.
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Mwanza
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Lake Chilwa
Zomba
SOUTHERN Chiradzulu
Blantyre Chikhwawa
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Thyolo
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Whether one is arriving as a tourist or travelling on business, Malawi is a place that visitors always want to return to; and for those posted to Malawi from overseas, it is a place they don’t ever seem to want to leave.
National Parks and Wildlife Reserves
Commercial Airports
Aerodromes
Chongoni Rock Paintings
Lake Malawi National Park (World Heritage Site)
Nsanje
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Getting there
10 REASONS TO VISIT MALAWI • Pleasant climate • Peaceful and compact • Big on hospitality • Lake Malawi • Africa’s newest Big Five destination • Authentic nature experience • Attractive outdoor sporting conditions • Rich cultural heritage • Local delicacies • Popular events
From Europe, North America, the Far East and Australasia Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), KLM (via Nairobi with Kenya Airways), South African Airways (via Johannesburg)
Regional airlines flying to and from Malawi Malawian Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, South African Airways.
Airports Most international flights land at Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, but several flights, especially those from Johannesburg and Harare, land at the business centre of Blantyre in the south.
Malawi using the most modern equipment and shortest routes from Europe. This is complemented by the easiest-ever access to both Blantyre and Lilongwe from all Malawi’s neighbouring countries and South Africa
Visas All nationalities require visa to enter Malawi, except for: • Nationals from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries, except for those countries that subject Malawians to a visa within SADC; • Nationals from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) countries, except for those countries that subject Malawians to a visa within COMESA; • Diplomats accredited to Malawi;
There are internal flights throughout the country. With the growth of tourism there, Likoma Island now has its own tarred runway and serviced airport.
• All diplomatic and service/official passport holders coming for official business;
Malawian Airlines
• Other ordinary passport holders coming on official government business.
Malawian Airlines used to be the stateowned carrier of Malawi. Since 2014 and the transformation of national air services through privatisation, it has been managed by Ethiopian Airlines. These two airlines offer the widest selection of departure points for
Customs and immigration Officials try to make your arrival and departure as trouble-free as possible and baggage handling is efficient. The usual personal allowances are granted. Travelling overland, Malawi has become a very popular staging post for trans-Africa travellers and it is a very good country in which to begin an African trip. Many tour operators offer packages into and out of Malawi and there are regular coach services from Johannesburg and Harare.
When to visit Malawi is always beautiful. The cooler months (May to August/September) are more comfortable for travellers from the northern hemisphere, but the lush, green summer (November to April) is also a good time to visit. May and June combine the best of both seasons – cooler, still green with great visibility – and are especially good for photography. Country dirt roads are sometimes impassable to normal vehicles during heavy rains. Game viewing is best in the hottest times of the dry season when the animals are forced to visit water sources, but the countryside is more attractive in the wetter, greener months. Birdwatchers enjoy their best sightings in October and November.
Our brand essence Malawi tourism’s brand essence rests on three major competitive attributes, namely: • Rich in contrast - diverse lake experience, variety of landscapes, habitats, climates and cultural assets • Compact in size - short distances between attractions, comparatively little crowded • Big in hospitality - Peaceful environment, neighbourly social interaction, tolerant and authentic relationship with visitors and other cultures. The Malawi tourism logo depicts the country’s core tourist products which are as follows: • Red – represents the warmth and friendliness of the people of Malawi • Gold within the heart – represents the richness of Malawi’s numerous natural resources • Blue – represents the lakes and rivers of Malawi, with the striped blue depicting enchanting waves of the fresh waters of Lake Malawi • Green – represents the country’s nature and wildlife.
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Wilderness and wildlife
Experience our wildlife THINGS TO DO • Game drives • Hiking • Birdwatching • Walking safari • Biking safaris • Botanical safaris • Canoeing • Sport fishing • Star gazing • Riverboat safari • White water rafting • Community and village tours
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or the first time in many years, Malawi now offers Big Five game viewing in some of Africa’s best managed and least crowded national parks and reserves. Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) is responsible for 12 protected areas comprising five national parks, four wildlife reserves and three sanctuaries. Thanks to some innovative ideas in relation to game management, Malawi has transformed its wildlife and wilderness areas. In one of the
great conservation success stories, a public-private partnership between government and African Parks in Liwonde National Park, Majete and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserves has seen considerable investment in conservation and enforcement into these protected areas. These initiatives have transformed some of Malawi’s wildlife areas from neglected, rarely visited reserves containing a few animals to thrilling Big Five destinations. As a result, animals and species numbers are on the increase. This upbeat assessment contrasts sharply with the situation of a few years ago when poaching and issues of land use were a major problem in the country. Much remains to be done, but Malawi is moving in the right direction as it seeks to restore its national parks and reserves to their former glory, both naturally and with the help of restocking and careful translocation.
More rangers have been engaged; highway links are being improved, as well as the tracks inside the parks and reserves. Moreover, the signposting is much better now. New camps and lodges, often with local community involvement, are appearing in greater numbers, too.
Accessibility to our national parks Most of our national parks are accessible throughout the year and have airstrips for chartered flights. However, the use of 4x4 vehicles is highly recommended, especially during the rainy season.
Lake Malawi National Park is Malawi’s smallest and is also a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is the first established freshwater, underwater national park in Africa. The diversity of the lake’s native fish species is unparalleled in the world, with 400 documented species of cichlids of which all but five are endemic. The park has its centre on the Nankumba Peninsula, but contains a total of 13 islands.
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Cultural heritage
Experience our culture M
alawi has a rich cultural heritage. Much of its culture has deep tribal roots, while some of its newer events and festivals are truly national in scope and importance.
Umhlangano wa Maseko among the Ngoni of Ntcheu;
In recent years there has been an upsurge of festivals and other cultural events at various key locations in Malawi, providing visitors and local people alike with a brilliant showcase for artistic talent across the whole spectrum, from dance and drama to films and fashion. Lovers of Malawian arts and culture are spoilt for choice when it comes to events. Each of these is distinct from the others with its own outstanding features.
These and other events are a unique way to sample the diverse culture of Malawi.
Popular events and festivals The many ethnic tribes also offer opportunities for visitors to experience the unique Malawi culture by taking part in the various tribal festivals. The most notable include: The Umthetho among the Ngoni of Mzimba; The Kulamba Ceremony among the Chewa; The Gonapamuhanya Festival among the Tumbuka;
Mulhakho wa Alhomwe among the Lhomwe
World heritage sites Chongoni Rock Art Site in Dedza, which charts the history of early settlers, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1996 by Unesco. Lake Malawi National Park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1984.
Arts and crafts Arts and crafts are an essential part of Malawi culture. A notable pioneering enterprise is the Kungoni Arts and
Crafts Centre at Mua, which trains people from the community in song, dance, wood-carving and other skills. In August each year there is a cultural open day during which the local communities showcase their dances. Pottery is also produced at the Dedza and Nkhotakota Pottery. Caution: In an effort to discourage the cutting down of trees, it is recommended that tourists intending to import wooden carvings, especially those from hardwood, should obtain the necessary permits to avoid being inconvenienced.
Land of rhythm and dance Malawi is a land of dance. So much so that Unesco has classified many of Malawi’s dances as unique. As part of everyday life in rural areas, dance takes many forms and is performed for many different reasons – for example, as celebration, for healing and as a welcome for an important visitor. Dance styles also tend to be regional and tribal. One of Malawi’s best-known dances is the Vimbuza, a healing dance that is popular among the Tumbuka. This dance, which in the past has been the subject of suppression, remains a key part of traditional rural healthcare. The dance is performed by women who form a circle around the patient while men keep up drum rhythms to accompany the song and dance.
It is claimed that the Chewa live alone, with their identities hidden by masks and their bodies covered in animal skins. These dancers, at the behest of the chief, are responsible for driving away evil spirits.
Uniforms Other dances, such as Malipenga and Chiwoda, were rarely performed outside of political contexts. The Malipenga is performed to drums by the older men, with costumes inspired by the uniforms worn by European soldiers in the Second World War. Other dance forms that had in the past been less popular, such as Chilimika, are now experiencing a rebirth.
More mysterious is the Gule Wamkulu (the Great Dance), which is performed by Chewa (secret societies) at the request of the village headman. These are masked men who dance at male initiation ceremonies, the installation of chiefs, funerals and various celebrations. The dance is a link between the spiritual past and the present.
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Experience Nature
Malawi’s mountain of myths M
ount Mulanje – known locally as ‘chilumba mu mlengalenga’ (‘island in the sky’) – covers an area of 650 sq km and is the highest peak in southern central Africa at an impressive 3,002 metres above sea level. The mountain, located in the southeastern corner of Malawi, has a fascinating ecosystem. As many as 500 unique species of animals and plants are found here and the area is recognised as a biodiversity hot spot.
and was inspired by its mystery, magic and beauty – so much so that he chose the mountain as part of the backdrop for his book. Many travellers have followed suit.
since it was first held in the late 1990s. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, this 25 km event involves running up and across the challenging plateaux of the mountain.
Hiking
In 1927 the Mount Mulanje area was gazetted as a forest reserve owing to its unique ecosystem, home to a variety of rare life forms. The government felt it was important to create the reserve in order to protect the area and safeguard the water catchment as well as preserving indigenous flora such as Malawi’s national tree, the Mulanje cedar, from extinction.
Since time immemorial there have been myths and legends about Mount Mulanje, mostly originating from the people of the local Lhomwe, Yao and Mang’anja communities, who believe that spirits control life on the mountain.
Hiking to Mount Mulanje is an exceptional experience, whether one approaches from the south or north side of the mountain. Trails are clearly marked and visitors can choose between a gentle trek and a serious climb. Wildlife is limited on Mount Mulanje, but vervet monkey, rock hyrax, leaf-nosed bat and klipspringer are not uncommon. Professional porters and guides are on hand to help visitors get the best out of their experience.
The story goes that J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Lord of the Rings’, visited Mount Mulanje in the 1930s
The Mount Mulanje Porters’ Race, held every July, has been attracting both local and international participants
The Mulanje Mountain Biodiversity Conservation Project contributes by raising awareness of the value of biodiversity and its importance for the local communities. This not only ensures that conservation takes place but also allows the community to play its part in conservation.
The Mountain Club of Malawi (MCM) works with Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust and the Forestry Department to maintain nine of the 10 huts on Mount Mulanje. All provide basic amenities for a comfortable stay.
Tea plantations The country’s tea-growing industry is centred around Mulanje and Thyolo in the south of Malawi. The tea estates around Mount Mulanje bring the landscape to life and are part of Mulanje’s heritage. The mountain offers spectacular views of the plantations stretching up to Mozambique. Various tea estates are open to the public. Tours give visitors a chance to learn more about the various types of tea and how they are produced. Tea tastings are an enjoyable and popular part of these tours.
THINGS TO DO • Cycling and mountain biking • Nature trail walks and trekking • Bird watching • Tea tasting • Quad bikes and 4x4 driving • Climbing and abseiling • Extreme sports - Mount Mulanje Porters Race
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Lake Malawi and its islands
Experience our lake THINGS TO DO • Snorkelling • Scuba diving • Beach soccer • Kayaking and sailing • Boat trips • Water-skiing • Sailboarding • Beach volleyball • Stargazing
L
ake Malawi is one of several impressive lakes running more or less the length of the Great Rift Valley. It is Africa’s third-largest lake after Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika as well as the second-deepest in Africa and the eighth-largest in the world. The lake stretches for over 580 km from north to south and is 75 km across at its widest point. Occupying about 20 per cent of the total surface area of Malawi, the lake covers an area of 29,600 sq km, most of which is located within the State of Malawi. Lake Malawi dominates life across much of the country and provides a livelihood for many Malawians. It is a bountiful supplier of fish, with boats of up to 17.5 metres in length working its waters, while many small boats also go out each day in search of fish from villages along the lake. The lake contains more species of fish than any other comparable body of water on earth. As well as lazing on Lake Malawi’s idyllic beaches or secreting themselves away on a rocky island, visitors can enjoy the lake to its fullest. Thanks to
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the huge array of species in this freshwater lake, the snorkelling and diving is virtually without equal in Africa. Visitors can also go sailing, either in small boats or even overnighting in a large catamaran.
National park The lake has its own national park, covering just 94 sq km, in a stunningly beautiful location at Cape Maclear. The park was created to protect the lake’s endemic fish species and is Malawi’s
only Unesco World Heritage Site. This area was a favourite with the explorer David Livingstone and the graves of five early European missionaries can be found in the park. Out in the lake, Malawi has two islands located within Mozambican territorial waters. Likoma is the larger of the two and Chizumulu the smaller. Likoma is best known for St Peter’s Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Africa and one that appears too big for its tiny island location.
Shire River and streams
A river for all reasons L
ike Lake Malawi itself, the Shire River holds a special place in the hearts of all Malawians. The 402 km river is Lake Malawi’s only outlet and is easily the nation’s longest. It is divided into the Upper Shire and Lower Shire.
hippo. Elephants, too, come to the water’s edge to drink and bathe.
From Lake Malawi, the Upper Shire flows into Lake Malombe, with Liwonde National Park on its western bank. This is one of Malawi’s best areas for wildlife viewing, with large herds of elephant coming to drink at the river’s edge as well as sightings of sable, buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, hartebeest and even a handful of reintroduced black rhino.
The Lower Shire then enters its narrow middle valley. Between Matope and Chikwawa, it drops 385 metres in just 80 km and roars through a series of spectacular gorges and cataracts, successively spilling over Kholombidzo Falls, Nkula Falls, and Tedzani Falls, through the Mpatamanga Gorge and over Hamilton Falls and Kapichira Falls.
Elephants On leaving Lake Malombe, the Lower Shire, slow moving for a stretch, is home to crocodile, mud turtle and some of Africa’s highest densities of
The birdlife here is rich, with over 400 recorded species. The river attracts fish eagle, cormorant, heron and hammerkop.
The river exits this fast-flowing section to flow through swampy banks flanked by the Mangoche Hills and Zomba Mountain on either side. Dams at Nkula Falls and Tedzani Falls, northwest of Blantyre, are used to generate hydro-electric power. Below Chikwawa, the river enters a wide marshy extension of the Mozambique coastal plain. After that, the river passes through Elephant Marsh and Ndindi Marsh to its confluence with the Zambezi 48 km below Cena in Mozambique. The Shire, in common with lakes and streams elsewhere in Malawi, offers
good fishing. In the Lower Shire, below the Kapichira Falls, tigerfish are abundant. Downriver there are vundu and barbel. Fishing is possible between May and November and requires no licence.
Meetings, incentives, conference and events (MICE)
First-rate MICE venues in elegant settings M
alawi offers a range of modern conferencing and events facilities both in its major cities and along the shores of Lake Malawi. These include major conference centres in Lilongwe and Blantyre and at various tranquil locations by the lakeside as well as a range of other well-equipped venues.
team-building seminars, training sessions, marketing rallies and business expositions. On the social side, it includes luncheons and dinner dances as well as banquets, cocktail receptions and, of course, wedding receptions.
The largest of these venues is designed to accommodate a full range of business and social activities. On the business side, this includes everything from conferences and executive board meetings to trade shows, conventions and launches as well as workshops,
At all these venues, delegates and guests can expect to find modern air conditioned facilities with all the latest audio-visual conferencing equipment. In addition, there is usually a team of experienced personnel on hand to deal with the requirements of each client.
The latest facilities
Malawi has become a popular and important destination for international conferences, with a packed schedule of symposiums on every subject from artificial intelligence to wearable robotics, and from accountancy, the arts, education and engineering to medicine, nutrition, philosophy and renewable energy. These symposiums bring together delegates from all over the world, thus helping to showcase the elegant settings and state-of-the-art facilities now available in Malawi to an international clientele.
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USEFUL ADDRESSES Department of Immigration Immigration Headquarters PO Box 331, Blantyre Tel: +265 1 823 777 Fax: +265 1 823 065 www.immigration.gov.mw
Malawi Consulate General – South Africa 4 Dodge Street, Woodmead 2157 PO Box 3881, Rivonia 2128 Johannesburg Tel: +27 11234 8577/8; 11803 4919 Email: tourism@malawiconsulate.co.za
Malawi High Commission
36 John Street, Holborn London, WC1N 2AT Tel: +44(0) 20 7421 6010 Email: malawihighcommission@btconnect.com www.malawihighcommission.co.uk
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
For a list of Malawi Diplomatic Missions: www.foreignaffairs.gov.mw
Department of National Parks & Wildlife
c/o Geo Group & Associates 4 Christian Fields London, SW16 3JZ, UK Tel: +44 115 982 1903 Fax: +44 115 981 9418 Email: enquiries@malawitourism.com www.malawitourism.com
Malawi Tourism Council
PO Box 1044, Lilongwe Tel: +265 111 900 886; 995 676 531; 991 868 931 Cell: +265 888 865 250 Email: info@malawitourismcouncil.com www.malawitourismcouncil.com
Destination
Malawi Tourism Marketing Representative in China Tel: +86 21 6044 7122 Fax: +86 21 6044 7122 Email: info@etclux.com www.etclux.com
TravelProof BV
Malawi Tourism Marketing Representative in The Netherlands Blekerssingel 4 2806 AA Gouda The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)182 550531 Cell: +31(0)6 22990306 Email: office@travelproof.nl www.travelproof.nl Malawi Tourism Marketing Representative in USA New York City Tel: +1 718-635-1252 Fax: +1 815-352-6163 Email: dave@cornersun.com www.cornersun.com
MAS Contour
Malawi Tourism Marketing Representative (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) Schwiebusser Str. 9, 10965 Berlin, Germany Tel: +49 30 61625747 Email: malawi-pr@mascontour.info www.mascontour.info/de
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Malawi Department of Tourism Ministry of Industry, Trade & Tourism Tourism House, off Convention Drive Private Bag 326, Lilongwe 3 Tel: +265 1 775 499; 772 702 Fax: +265 1 775 494 Email: info@visitmalawi.mw
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malawitourism
AIRLINES Malawi Airlines
FROM THE WARM HEART OF AFRICA
Connects Malawi to the regional hubs Tel: +265 1 774 605 Email: info@malawian-airlines.com www.malawian-airlines.com
Elite Travel Connection (ETC)
Corner Sun Destination Marketing LLC
PO Box 30331, Lilongwe 3 Tel: +265 1 759 831 Fax: +265 1 759 832 Email: dnpw@malawi.net
@tourismmalawi
Tourism Marketing Consortium
Ethiopian Airlines
Flies into Lilongwe and Blantyre www.ethiopianairlines.com
Kenya Airways
Flies into Lilongwe and Blantyre www.kenya-airways.com
South African Airways
Flies into Lilongwe and Blantyre from Johannesburg www.flysaa.com