The Warm Heart of Africa (Malawi)

Member Name: Emmamac1

Product:	Malawi
Date:	08/08/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Once in a life time experience

Disadvantages: It does have snakes and critters of all sizes

I have been extremely fortunate to have lived in Malawi for twelve years. I was based in Lilongwe and visited many wonderful places over the years.

Malawi, also known as 'The Warm Heart Of Africa', is a landlocked country, surrounded by Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania, in the Southern Hemisphere. It is considered as part of Southern Africa (not South Africa). The national language is Chichewa, although there are many tribal dialects around the country. The local currency is Kwacha and Tambala's.

Historically, Malawi gained independence from British colonial rule in 1964. It was then known as Nyasaland. President Hastings Banda ruled the country, under single party rule, for thirty years. President Banda was an actual doctor trained in Scotland. He was a very traditional man, and insisted that women had to wear skirts to the calves and below, and certainly no trousers. Any man entering the country with hair long enough to touch their collar, were not allowed into Malawi until it was cut at the boarder by the official!

Banda's presidency ended in 1994. Malawi is now a multi party democracy, and has had two other presidents, Bakili Muluzi and present day Bingu wa Mutharika.

Geographically, Malawi has many amazing features. The Rift Valley runs down the country. Lake Malawi takes up one third of the country. It is huge, the third biggest lake in Africa, after Victoria and Tanganika, being 365 miles long and 52 miles wide. In the south of the country, where all the tea is grown, there are the Shire Highlands at 3,000 feet above sea level, and Mulanje Mountain which peaks at 10,000 feet. In the north there is Nyika Plateau, which I will tell you more about just now.

Malawi, with a population of almost 14 million, is an extremely poor third world country. It relies heavily on international aid to help it's economy and people. However, it is known as 'The Warm Heart of Africa' for a reason. The people, many whom have very little, are so friendly and welcoming. They always have a smile that makes you realise there is more to life than possessions.

Recently Malawi has had much media interest, due to Madonna adopting two children. This has caused many discussions and arguments for and against what she has done. It has also brought much publicity for Malawi, and a previous interest that never formally existed.

Malawi is a Christian country, but has many Muslem influences. Dotted around the country there are many Mosques, due to the Arabic slave trade infiltrating the lake. The Malawians are very religious people.

To visit Malawi, you will need to fly via another country. There are no direct flights. South African Airways fly up, and KLM fly down! The main flight takes a good ten hours and then depending on connections another two or three. Alternatively, many travelers go overland and pass through Malawi. Malawi is only one hour in front of the UK in summer time.

Malawi has quite a long rainy season, not advisable to travel in, from November to March. April and May are very pleasant and not too hot. June and July are the winter months, and it does get chilly (hot water bottle weather). August and September are delightful, great months for exploring. October is known as 'suicide month' as it gets extremely hot, building up to the rains!

Whilst traveling in Malawi it is strongly advised to take malarial prophylactics. I would advise against the medicine Lariam, as it is known to give terrible side effects. Make sure you always sleep under a net and spray on mosquito creams during the early evening. Some useless information, it is only the female mosquito that drinks blood, and not all are malarial. The good old male feeds on nectar. If you do get bitten, don't let it ruin your holiday, as their are so many non malarial mosquito's, just observe yourself over the next two weeks.

Lake Malawi is stunning. When you are there it looks like the ocean it is so big. There are many cottages and small hotels dotted up and down the lake to stay in, depending on budget. Whilst at the lake, there are various water sports to participate in, or you can just relax with a 'green' (the local carlsberg beer), and watch the local fishermen. Whilst on the subject of beer, it is very cheap, along with cigarettes. locally made products are reasonable, imported products makes you cringe!

As Malawi is a third world country, do not expect too many five star hotels. However, tourism is encouraged and there are some lovely lodges around the country. If you travel to Nyika Plateau you will be reminded of Scotland. It has rolling hills and trout dams. The weather is much cooler and at night you cosy around log fires. There is game to be seen, including leopard, eland, zebra and buck. Also horse riding safaris are available.

Around Malawi there are a number of game parks, including Liwonde National Park. Unfortunately, in the past, much of the Malawian game has been hunted, so game has diminished. Conservationists are trying to reintroduce certain animals and protect others. Bird life is very special and twitters love it!

I loved my time in Malawi. Malawi definitely lives up to its name 'The Warm Heart of Africa' and is most certainly worth a visit.

Summary: A peaceful, stunning country