Overview

The Republic of Malawi - formerly known as Nyasaland - is a land locked country bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique to the east, west and south. The country gets its name from Maravi, which is one of the original Bantu tribes that inhabited the region. Malawi's climate is hot in the low lying southern areas and temperate in the northern highlands. Its official languages are English and Chichewa, and the capital city is Lilongwe.

The country is divided into three regions; the Northern, Central and Southern. The Northern region is mountainous, with the highest peaks reaching over 8,200 feet. It also has rugged escarpments, valleys and thickly forested slopes. The Central region is mainly a plateau, over 3,300 feet high, with fine upland scenery. The Southern is mostly low-lying except for the 6,890 foot high Zomba Plateau and isolated Mulanje Massif in the southeast.

Malawi offers a variety of landscapes, accessible forest reserves, wildlife and activities like water sports, trekking and game viewing in the most natural settings. In short, a trip to Malawi is nothing but a true African experience with a relatively minimal cost.

Activities& Attractions

Lilongwe is known as the Garden City. It is surrounded by colorful flowering trees that complement its modern architecture and parklands. The old town is built around the former village of Lilongwe, while the new town has modern commercial structures. Blantyre Mission, Mandela House, March 3 House, Chichiri Museum and the National Museum of Malawi are some of the places you can visit in Blantyre.

Great Rift Valley is one of the most memorable, natural sights in the country. Michiru Mountain Conservation, Fisherman's Rest, and theLilongwe Nature Sanctuary are some of the various, breathtaking nature parks to visit. You can also check out Lake Malawi, which is the third largest lake in Africa. If you plan to visit any area near the countryside, you should have a guide with you at all times.

Lodging

If you are looking for a place to stay there are a lot of options, but not all of them are hotels. One of the most reliable ways to secure lodging is to sign on with a safari organization. The prices may vary, but you will have safe and comfortable lodging that suita your needs. Kaya Mawa, Sunbird Nkopola Lodge, and Pumulani are some of the most popular hotels in the country. For more information on lodging in Malawi, check out the Web sites found below in the resources section.

Transportation

There are numerous options for individuals to choose from when travelling in Malawi. Roadways and railways connect most of the cities in the country, but be aware that a large number of the roads are unpaved. Boats and ferries are also available for travel on Lake Malawi and Shire River. Airports connect the capital city with major cities in the country and those outside. Taxis are also available for hire to travel around the country.