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The Northern & Central Regions
MZUZU & THE NORTH: The capital of the northern region, Mzuzu, has one major hotel and several smaller establishments. The town is approached from the south by a road across the rolling hills of the Viphya Plateau or by the lakeshore road. There are two game areas in the region: the beautiful and unique plateau of Nyika National Park and the Vwasa Marsh Game Reserve. Both have new luxury lodges as well as simpler accommodation. Also in the region is the famous Livingstonia Mission with its interesting museum. Access is difficult up the escarpment road but the Mission can also be reached from the east via Rumphi. Nearby, the Manchewe Falls spill off the escarpment.
LILONGWE: Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, is in the central region, 90 minutes’ drive inland from Lake Malawi. Alongside the traditional Old Town, with its interesting markets, is the modern city and seat of government with its imaginative architecture in a garden setting. There is a wide range of hotels in Lilongwe.
Excursions: Northwest of the capital is the vast Kasungu National Park with a great variety of wildlife and excellent accommodation. North of Lilongwe is the famous Kamusu Academy (the ‘Eton of Africa’). This is also the region supplying much of the country's important tobacco crop.
LAKE MALAWI: This vast lake stretches from the northern tip of the country to Mangochi in the south. The surface area of the lake covers nearly 24,000 sq km (15,000 sq miles), and lies in the deep, trough-like rift valley which runs the length of the country. The shores of the lake are generally sandy and the resort areas are largely bilharzia free. There are no tides or currents. Most of the hotels provide pleasure craft enabling visitors to enjoy water-skiing, sailing, fishing, snorkelling and windsurfing. Lake Malawi is known to contain more species of fish than any other lake in the world: over 500 at the latest count. Some of the rarest tropical fish in the world are unique to the lake, which is also the home of fish eagles, black eagles, several varieties of kingfisher, tern and many other birds.
One of the best ways of seeing lake Malawi is to cruise in the 630-ton Ilala II, the lake’s mini-liner, which cruises the lake between Monkey Bay and Karonga in the north of the country. The 1052km (654-mile) voyage gives the passenger the opportunity to visit lake ports and to view the spectacular mountain scenery.
THE LAKESHORE: Nkhotakota, on the central lake shore, is one of Africa's oldest market towns and was once a centre of the slave trade. There are mid-range lodges here from which one can visit the nearby national park. Further north is Nkhata Bay, a busy port and market and a favourite stopping place for visitors. There is plenty of budget accommodation around the bay.
Senga Bay, near the market town of Salima, is the main lakeshore resort of the central region. Lizard Island, home to many varieties of lizard and eagle, is one of the many off-shore islands.
Cape Maclear, near Monkey Bay, has a beautiful sandy beach and is in the Lake Malawi National Park, the world's first freshwater reserve. It is here that the fish-rich lake is seen at its best. The only top-class accommodation is at the new island camps utilised during kayaking safaris. There is plenty of mid-range and budget lodges and there are plans for a hotel.
LIKOMA ISLAND: Located on the east side of the lake, near the Mozambique shore, Likoma Island is worth a visit - there is excellent swimming off the beaches and a very interesting Anglican Cathedral. Accommodation is limited.
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