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MOZAMBIQUE EXPLORER (ME+): Malawi Extension

(8 DAYS LAND ONLY)

Updated 01/05/2005

Malawi, lying within the tropics at the southern end of the Great Rift Valley, is affectionately referred to as ‘The warm heart of Africa’; not only is the climate warm, but Malawians really are among the friendliest people you could hope to meet. Anyone who enjoys scenic beauty will find the country richly endowed; from forested reserves, National Parks and broad highlands to the peaceful shores of Lake Malawi

After breakfast we drive to the Chingoni Forest Reserve via the Dedza Pottery, which has fine handcrafts and manufactured ceramic products. In the afternoon we explore the Chingoni forest, which has a mixture of plantation and indigenous woodland, with some rock outcrops offering spectacular views of the surrounding terrain. The Chencherene rock shelters, where San-type (Bushman) geometric rock-paintings are to be found are certainly worth a visit (optional). This region with its rocky hills typically contains the black eagle and lanner and peregrine falcon, while the black stork, mocking chat, rock cisticola and large striped pipit may also be spotted.

This morning we travel through Blantyre to Lengwe National Park. Blantyre is a city rich with history: it was a settlement before gold gave birth to Johannesburg and the name was derived from David Livingstone’s birthplace. The road from Blantyre plunges down the Shire Escarpment in a series of hairpin bends with excellent views over the Shire River and out towards the Zambezi River on the hazy horizon. The afternoon is spent on a game walk and visiting one of the game viewing hides.

On our second day in the park we undertake an exciting safari on foot accompanied by an armed game scout. This provide us with an excellent opportunity to enjoy the sights, sounds and silence of the bush at a relaxed pace, and is an experience never to be forgotten. Lengwe National Park is well known for its population of nyala antelope, a localised but very beautiful antelope found here at one of the most northerly points of its range in Southern Africa. This park was first protected as a Game Reserve in 1928 and lies in the Shire River Valley that forms part of the southern end of the Great East African Rift Valley system. We have the opportunity to visit Mwabvi Game Reserve

Leaving the lowlands behind we ascend the Shire Highlands on our way to Mount Mulanje. We pass Thyolo (pronounced “Cho-lo”) and it is a most pleasant experience to drive through the tea plantations. Refreshing emerald green tea bushes cover the rolling hills to the sides of the road. After this we descend to the Phalombe Plains from where we can begin to admire the grandeur of the Mulanje Massif in the distance. Mount Mulanje ranks as one of Malawi’s most majestic sights and soars steeply to around 3,005m, the highest peak in Central Africa. We do an afternoon walk to one of the waterfalls.

Today we hike up to Chambe Basin to the forestry hut. Porters carry our packs to the top. ‘The Island in the Sky’ is an appropriate name for the massif. Mount Mulanje rises steeply and suddenly from the undulating plains, surrounded by near-vertical cliffs of bare rock, many over a thousand meters high. Vegetated valleys, where rivers drop in spectacular waterfalls, dissect the cliffs. The afternoon is at leisure. For these who want to do a scramble up Chambe Peak, a guide will be arranged (optional). The hike up Mount Mulanje to Chambe Basis is non-technical and on paths, some of which are steep and fairly strenuous, but within the scope of any reasonable active and energetic walker. Alternatively, those who do not feel up to it can opt to stay behind at the pleasant rest house at the foot of the massif with a chance of taking some guided walks, before rejoining the group the following day

Leaving Mt Mulanje, we travel to Liwonde National, the prime Park in Malawi, and do some game viewing on our way to the camp. The park includes part of Lake Malombe, the Shire River and the eastern upper Shire Plain. Literally thousands of hippo and crocodile live in the river and there are several hundred elephants in the park, plus a variety of antelope. Black rhinosorus has been introduced into the Park. The combination of riverine, mopane grassland and mixed bushveld ensures that the birdlife is very varied. During our visit to the park we might see bushbuck, common waterbuck, kudu, elephants, rhino, sable antelope, warthog and hippo. The afternoon is spent on further game activity. There may also be the chance of a boat trip on the Shire River (optional), gliding silently through the reedbeds to view jacana, egrets, ibis and kingfisher.

This morning we follow the Rift Valley to Lilongwe. En-route we stop at Senga Bay to visit a fish farm or to have a last swim in Lake Malawi. The afternoon is free for a last look around the Capital.

BAREFOOT SAFARIS & Adventure Tours

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