North Malawi has so much to offer the visitor. Less well known than the rest of the country and with a lower population density, it is a region for those who wish to experience Africa at its most unspoiled. Its quite astonishing beauty is the lasting memory of all who explore this unique area of central Africa.
VWAZA MARSH WILDLIFE RESERVE
Vwasa Wildlife Reserve, an area of marsh and plain, with a few rocky outcrops, is all of 400 sq miles (1000 sq km) and lies along the Zambian border north-west of Mzuzu.
The reserve has a wonderful mix of vegetation: forest and grassland, thin woodland and marsh. It is this rich habitat which attracts a splendid range of birdlife. Nearly 300 species of birds have been recorded including stork, heron and the white-faced tree duck. Herds of thirty or forty elephants are regularly to be seen and there are large numbers of hippos. Lake Kazuni, near the main entrance to the reserve is famous for its hippos. Buffalo are present in the reserve but their roaming habits make their sightings less easy to predict. As on Nyika, there are plenty of smaller mammals.
VIPHYA PLATEAU
The forested Viphya is a wonderful area for those seeking a combination of stunning scenery and solitude. It is an ideal area to unwind but there are also opportunities for trekking, mountain biking and various other activities. A centre for a range of activity holidays is the beautifully sited.
NYIKA NATIONAL PARK
Nyika is Malawi’s largest park with an area of no less than 1250 sq miles (3200 sq km). It extends across the great plateau which is essentially a granitic dome and its environment is like none other in the whole of Africa. The name, Nyika, means "where the water comes from" and it is, indeed, one of Malawi’s most important catchment areas. The rolling scenery is at its best in the rainy season when over 200 types of orchid are in flower. The grasslands of Nyika are rich in wildflowers in other seasons.
Nyika is wonderful for trekking and mountain biking and, as well as more conventional 4x4 excursions. The horse riding safaris that were once a highlight look set to return shortly. The montane vegetation attracts large numbers of antelope from the diminutive duiker to eland and roan. Zebra are common. The park has one of the highest densities of leopard in Central Africa and there are a number of species of smaller mammals such as warthog and bushpig. Elephants and buffalo usually keep to the lower ground on the northern edge of the park but lions and elephants have recently been seen on the high plateau.
For the birdwatcher, the park has a lot to offer: over 400 species have been recorded. The rare Denham’s bustard and the wattled crane are among those to be seen, as is the red-winged francolin - endemic to Nyika.
There is such a lot to see in the vast park: waterfalls, a neolithic rock shelter, trout pools and even a ‘magic lake’ are just some of the attractions.
LIVINGSTONIA
A particularly interesting place to visit is the Livingstonia Mission. Sited high above Lake Malawi at 3000ft (900m) there are views of incredible beauty across the lake to Tanzania. Livingstonia is a mission settlement dating from 1894 and established by Robert Laws a disciple of David Livingstone. The Old Stone House, which was the home of the Laws family, is now a resthouse and museum.
CHITIMBA
The lakeshore in the far north between Nkhata Bay and Karonga has a more dramatic element to it than is the case to the south, with steep rift valley escarpments at times forming the shoireline. Becasue of teh steep terrain, some locations along this stretch are accessed primarily by boat. A few small lodges offering accommodation for visitors, especially along the shore below the Livingstonia Mission. Most are pretty simple but a hidden gem is Sangilo Sanctuary just south of Chilumba.
LIKOMA ISLAND
Off the eastern shore of the Lake is Likoma Island: a little piece of Malawian territory in Mozambican waters. Its history – the setting up here of the headquarters of the University Mission to Central Africa (Livingstone’s mission) in the 1880s – caused it to be retained by Malawi when the Lake was divided politically after World War II.
Likoma’s claim to fame is its cathedral (the size of Winchester’s) on which work began in 1903. This vast building has some most interesting features including stained glass and carved soapstone.
The island is otherwise somewhat barren although it has bustling local communities and some lovely beaches. Whislt barren in once sense, the island does also offer some fantastic luxury accommodation.
Nearby is another tiny island, Chizumulu, also Malawian territory. Access to Likoma is currently by boat
CHINTHECHE
A concentration of small lodges, each having its own beach, is found around Chintheche. These are some of the best beaches on the lake.
As well as the beautiful lakeshore, there is a site of historical interest at nearby Bandawe Mission. This was the location for the second attempt by Dr Robert Laws to establish a Livingstonia Mission. As at Cape Maclear, malaria took it's toll and the missionaries moved further north to the present site on the Kondowe Plateau. The church remains, with its laterally sided pulpit and banked seating, as do a number of missionary graves.
VWAZA MARSH WILDLIFE RESERVE
Vwasa Wildlife Reserve, an area of marsh and plain, with a few rocky outcrops, is all of 400 sq miles (1000 sq km) and lies along the Zambian border north-west of Mzuzu.
The reserve has a wonderful mix of vegetation: forest and grassland, thin woodland and marsh. It is this rich habitat which attracts a splendid range of birdlife. Nearly 300 species of birds have been recorded including stork, heron and the white-faced tree duck. Herds of thirty or forty elephants are regularly to be seen and there are large numbers of hippos. Lake Kazuni, near the main entrance to the reserve is famous for its hippos. Buffalo are present in the reserve but their roaming habits make their sightings less easy to predict. As on Nyika, there are plenty of smaller mammals.
VIPHYA PLATEAU
The forested Viphya is a wonderful area for those seeking a combination of stunning scenery and solitude. It is an ideal area to unwind but there are also opportunities for trekking, mountain biking and various other activities. A centre for a range of activity holidays is the beautifully sited.
NYIKA NATIONAL PARK
Nyika is Malawi’s largest park with an area of no less than 1250 sq miles (3200 sq km). It extends across the great plateau which is essentially a granitic dome and its environment is like none other in the whole of Africa. The name, Nyika, means "where the water comes from" and it is, indeed, one of Malawi’s most important catchment areas. The rolling scenery is at its best in the rainy season when over 200 types of orchid are in flower. The grasslands of Nyika are rich in wildflowers in other seasons.
Nyika is wonderful for trekking and mountain biking and, as well as more conventional 4x4 excursions. The horse riding safaris that were once a highlight look set to return shortly. The montane vegetation attracts large numbers of antelope from the diminutive duiker to eland and roan. Zebra are common. The park has one of the highest densities of leopard in Central Africa and there are a number of species of smaller mammals such as warthog and bushpig. Elephants and buffalo usually keep to the lower ground on the northern edge of the park but lions and elephants have recently been seen on the high plateau.
For the birdwatcher, the park has a lot to offer: over 400 species have been recorded. The rare Denham’s bustard and the wattled crane are among those to be seen, as is the red-winged francolin - endemic to Nyika.
There is such a lot to see in the vast park: waterfalls, a neolithic rock shelter, trout pools and even a ‘magic lake’ are just some of the attractions.
LIVINGSTONIA
A particularly interesting place to visit is the Livingstonia Mission. Sited high above Lake Malawi at 3000ft (900m) there are views of incredible beauty across the lake to Tanzania. Livingstonia is a mission settlement dating from 1894 and established by Robert Laws a disciple of David Livingstone. The Old Stone House, which was the home of the Laws family, is now a resthouse and museum.
CHITIMBA
The lakeshore in the far north between Nkhata Bay and Karonga has a more dramatic element to it than is the case to the south, with steep rift valley escarpments at times forming the shoireline. Becasue of teh steep terrain, some locations along this stretch are accessed primarily by boat. A few small lodges offering accommodation for visitors, especially along the shore below the Livingstonia Mission. Most are pretty simple but a hidden gem is Sangilo Sanctuary just south of Chilumba.
LIKOMA ISLAND
Off the eastern shore of the Lake is Likoma Island: a little piece of Malawian territory in Mozambican waters. Its history – the setting up here of the headquarters of the University Mission to Central Africa (Livingstone’s mission) in the 1880s – caused it to be retained by Malawi when the Lake was divided politically after World War II.
Likoma’s claim to fame is its cathedral (the size of Winchester’s) on which work began in 1903. This vast building has some most interesting features including stained glass and carved soapstone.
The island is otherwise somewhat barren although it has bustling local communities and some lovely beaches. Whislt barren in once sense, the island does also offer some fantastic luxury accommodation.
Nearby is another tiny island, Chizumulu, also Malawian territory. Access to Likoma is currently by boat
CHINTHECHE
A concentration of small lodges, each having its own beach, is found around Chintheche. These are some of the best beaches on the lake.
As well as the beautiful lakeshore, there is a site of historical interest at nearby Bandawe Mission. This was the location for the second attempt by Dr Robert Laws to establish a Livingstonia Mission. As at Cape Maclear, malaria took it's toll and the missionaries moved further north to the present site on the Kondowe Plateau. The church remains, with its laterally sided pulpit and banked seating, as do a number of missionary graves.