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MALAWI OVERLANDMalawi is better known as the warm heart of Africa, all because of its friendly people! Wherever you go you will receive a welcome which is unsurpassed anywhere else in the world. In big and small markets throughout Malawi shining silver piles of dried fish 'usipa' are sold. Closer to the lake fresh fish is available. 'Chambo' is the most delicious! MUST DO'S:
MORE INFO ON MALAWI: Malawi has an incredible variety of stunning landscapes. The unique rolling hills of orchid clad Nyika; the cool forested plateau of Zomba; the 10,000 feet climbers' paradise of Mulanje Massif; the broad and fertile Shire Valley. From rugged highlands to lowland plains - the scene is ever changing. Hundreds of miles of tropical golden sand beaches line Africa's third largest lake. Lake Malawi is a true inland sea - and is tideless. Relax in the sun on uncrowded beaches, hand-feed tropical fish at the world's first freshwater National Park or enjoy the many water sports such as windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and canoeing. GEOGRAPHY Malawi is about 118,484 sq km. About 20% of this are the waters of Lake Malawi. The neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Mozambique also have sovereignty over parts of the lake. Escarpments rise from the shores of the lake to a high plateau, and there are some spectacular mountain areas, including Nyika National Park and Mt Mulanje. HISTORY The horrors of slavery in Africa: At the height of slavery in the mid 19th century, the Swahili Arabs together with other tribes are believed to have either killed or sold into slavery 80,000 to 100,000 Africans per year! Slavery had existed in Africa for many years, but as demand from outside Africa increased, the Swahili Arabs began to push into the interior to increase their supply. Between1842 and 1856 David Livingstone had been exploring in Africa and on his return to Britain spoke at meetings about the undiscovered interior of Africa and the horrors of the slave trade. He returned to Africa in 1858 and travelled to Malawi in September 1859 finally reaching Lake Malawi - which he named Lake Nyassa. Throughout his journey he came across major slave routes - one that passed through today's town of Mangochi. Through the rest of the 1860's missionaries came to Malawi to build missio1ns. They suffered terribly from malaria and conflict with the local people. CULTURE The main ethnic groups are the Chewa, dominant in the centre and south; the Yao, also in the south; and the Tumbuka in the north. Other groups include the Ngoni, who inhabit parts of the centre and north, and the Tonga, who are found mostly along the lakeshore. CLIMATE In the higher areas, the climate is pleasant, with temperatures averaging around 20 deg C between November and April, and 27 deg C from May to October. The rainy season lasts from October to April. TRAVEL TIPS:
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