The increase in wildlife and a growing tourist destination
Imagine yourself surrounded by golden sands and blue waters. Looking around, you have this beautiful beach all to yourself. Perhaps you’re on an island, sipping on a sundowner, idly watching the clouds pass by as you relax by the oh-so blue waters.
This is how I start describing Malawi to those who haven’t heard of it. Known as the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’, Malawi is a landlocked country between Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. Standing with an area of about 120,000km 2, a fifth of this country is made up of Lake Malawi; which is the third largest lake in Africa and the ninth largest in the entire world. It’s widely known for this sparkling lake, stretching across the country, with its fishing villages spread across the shores, and popular budget-friendly lodges as well as luxury resorts on the mainland. The popular annual concert that occurs every October – the Lake of Stars – gathers tourists and artists from across the globe to the Southern shores of Lake Malawi.
The nickname ‘The Warm Heart of Africa’ stems from the happy hearts and friendly personalities of the locals in Malawi. If you’re looking for a new and pristine destination to travel to this year, Malawi is your go-to. Let’s dive into Malawi, first for what it’s not known for– it’s wildlife.
The increase of wildlife in Malawi
Truth be told, Malawi is an unheard spot when it comes to wildlife. Whenever people ask me what there is to see in the National Parks, I do mention to them that it is not as popular as the well-known Masai Mara and Kruger National Park. The reason for this is the unfortunate poaching incidents in the 1990’s cutting through the wildlife species across the country.
Now, with the help of African Parks Network since 2003, a fair amount of the wildlife is definitely returning back. For the first time in 20 years, Liwonde National Park saw cheetahs being brought back in 2017 (African Parks, 2019). Both here and at Majete National Park, breeding lions were brought in from South Africa after two decades, and the latter park has become a hugely popular destination for wildlife seekers (African Parks, 2019). The biggest news of all is the restoration of elephants in the National Parks in Malawi! In the 90’s at Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve – an expansive landscape with streaming rivers, wetlands and rolling hills – there were 1500 of these beautiful animals. As mentioned earlier, poaching had been a serious problem, and according to African Parks, there were less than a hundred in the same reserve in 2003 (2019). The numbers are hard to believe. However, over the span of two years, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve saw the homecoming of 500 elephants from Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve.
For the birders, there’s plenty to see in Malawi. As per findings by Malawi tourism, there are about 650 species of birds alone in Malawi, depending from location to location. If you head over to the Lake or in between the depth of the woodlands, you’ll find yourself spotting a wide variety of beautiful birds.
Apart from wildlife safaris, here’s what else you can do…
The Lake
Other than just the Lake and relaxing on the beach (which is wonderful on its own!), there are multiple water sports that you can take part in. For the more adventurous; kayaking, motorized water sports, and snorkelling or scuba diving are popular activities that the lodge provides. The latter underwater sports in particular are worthwhile expeditions. With the vast array of cichlids, you can find yourself surrounded underwater amongst colourful schools of fish, undisturbed in your presence, and in the midst of true nature. Given the unspoilt flora and fauna that Malawi is known for, the underwater experience in the lake is truly a visual treat! No visit to Malawi is complete without a trip to the lake, whatever your goals may be.
Explore the Islands
Additional to the lake are well-known island getaways. For the luxury experience, Likoma Island is known to be a honeymoon spot, idly spending the days and nights away. Then you have Blue Zebra Island, situated off the coast of Senga Bay, a mere hour’s drive from the capital, Lilongwe. There are lovely trails around the island, some wonderful opportunities for bird watching, and motorized water sports to satisfy the adventurous soul.
Then there’s Mumbo Island.
I think of Mumbo Island and my heart warms. This eco-friendly lodge is situated within Lake Malawi National Park amongst crystal clear waters and a pristine beach. With beautiful trails around the island, there are some truly scenic spots for sunrises and sunsets. Mumbo Island is a tranquil location, where you can idly lay outside your bungalow on a hammock with the lake spread across your eyesight. Just imagine… Another speciality about the lake and these islands is the lack of light pollution, allowing for some wondrous star-gazing experiences. For those interested in astrophotography, the Lake Malawi in its entirety will allow for some gorgeous sights of the night sky.
Hike Mulanje Mountain
Mount Mulanje is the largest mountain in Malawi, towering at over 3000m in height, and a popular destination for hikers. About an hour’s drive from the prior capital, Blantyre, Mulanje is a well- liked spot for a day trip, or a three to four-day hike. As you delve through the forests, you can find yourself amongst Cedar trees (unfortunately under threat of deforestation); some pretty picnic spots, and even stumble upon views of waterfalls. The highest peak, Sapitwa Peak, boasts of expansive views amongst the clouds, and is a well-liked hike amongst tourists and locals.
Wander through forests and tea estates
Spread across the Southern region of Malawi is Satemwa Tea Estates and Zomba Plateau. Imagine yourself walking through evergreen tea estates, or taking treks to spots where you can view these estates as far as the eye can see. Don’t expect to have any signal to post those Instagram stories though; it’ll be just you, and nature. Situated nearby is Zomba, a half hour drive from Blantyre. Winding roads will take you further up to lodging areas and the famous Zomba Plateau, unveiling scenic views of the town below, and on a possibly clear day, the lake further off in the distance… You can either hike to the viewpoints or take a 4×4 up to the top, depending on personal preferences and time constraints.
To end this long passage about why you should visit Malawi, let me finish with a quote. “I went to sleep dreaming of Malawi, and all the things made possible when your dreams are powered by your heart” – William Kamkwamba (you can find his memoir and movie based off him; ‘The Boy who Harnessed the Wind’, one winner from the Sundance Film Festival of 2019).
When you’d like to make your trip to this pristine destination, you can fly in from Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or Johannesburg, each of which are hubs for further international flights.
References:
www.africanparks.com
www.malawitourism.com
