A BRIEF HISTORY
"The earliest known settled kingdom in the region of Lake Nyasa is that of the Maravi Confederacy. Established by Bantu-speaking peoples in about 1480, and continuing into the 18th century, the confederacy controls territory west from the great lake to the Luangwa River, south to the Zambezi and east to the coast. It was in this latter period that slave trade became entrenched, particularly around Lake Nyasa. This brought about a British presence through David Livingstone and his campaign against slavery. Livingstone was soon followed by more missionaries and the Shire Highlands Protectorate was established. During the early 20th century the protectorate became known as Nyasaland. This continued until 1964 when Malawi became independent under the leadership of Hastings Banda. The first period of independence (until 1992) is marked by political turbulence under a totalitarian rule. In 1992 Hastings Banda is defeated in the elections by a coalition in and the economy starts improving. In the second half of the 1990s President Muluzi makes considerable progress in improving Malawi's economy, particularly in terms of controlling inflation. This brings a much needed increase in foreign investment and aid."
About Malawi
There is no country in all of Africa that has its geography so sculptured and determined by Africa's Great Rift Valley, the 3000 kilometer long geological formation that bisects much of Africa from Egypt to Botswana. Towering mountains, lush, fertile valley floors and enormous crystal-clear lakes are the hallmark of much of the Rift Valley. This is what Malawi is all about. It is a little known gem of a country in the heart of Central Southern Africa that offers a true African experience at a relatively minimal cost.
Malawi is landlocked. It is a long and narrow country, covering more than 1000 km from north to south. Lake Malawi, nearly 600 km long and up to 80 km wide, dominates the countryside. When David Livingstone arrived at the lakeshore in 1861, he was the first foreign explorer to see the lake. He was so in awe that he started missions here.
Malawi’s big draw is the lake: a magnificent shard of crystal water stretching some 500km along Malawi’s eastern border, separating it from the wild and mountainous coast of Mozambique and Tanzania. Isolated villages pepper the northern lakeshore and the beautiful Liwonde National Park rests at its southern tip. Around 500 species of fish inhabit the lake and the freshwater diving and snorkelling here are excellent. Malawi’s not just for water babies and sun worshippers though; there’s plenty here to keep you active and Malawi’s landscape is surprisingly diverse. Head for the misty heights of Mount Mulanje or to the Nyika National Park, where you'll find sheer escarpments, dramatic peaks, endless rolling grassland and some of the most enjoyable hiking routes in the whole of Afrika.
Exciting places to visit in Malawi are:
- Lake Malawi
- Liwonde National Park
- Nyika National Park
To the east of the Great Rift Valley lies Lake Malawi (also called Lake
Nyasa), making up over three-quarters of Malawi's eastern boundary.
Lake Malawi is sometimes called the Calendar Lake as it is about 365
miles (587 km) long and 52 miles (84 km) wide. The Shire River flows
from the south end of the lake and joins the Zambezi River 250 miles
(400 km) farther south in Mozambique. The surface of Lake Malawi is
located at 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level, with a maximum depth of
2,300 feet (700 m), which means the lake floor is over 700 feet (210 m)
below sea level at some points.
Lake Malawi is the first
National Park to give protection to freshwater life of a deep-water
Rift Valley lake. The 88 square kilometere park is located in the
southern part of the loake and includes 12 islands and most of the
Nankhumba Peninsula. Its crystal clear waters and myriad colorful
ciclid fish darting amongst the rocky shoreline entice one to a snorkel
and join the fish in their daily activities.
Wildlife that might
be seen includes bushbuck, klipspringer, crocodile and hippos. Bird
life includes fish eagles, trumpeter hornbill, white breasted
cuckoo-shrike, crowned and black eagles, golden-backed pytilia and
mocking chat.
Lake Malawi is the country's largest tourist
attraction and a seemingly endless supplier of protein in the form of
fish to the local people. The mostly clear waters of the lake make this
an inviting environment for recreationla activities.
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Liwonde National Park
Liwonde National Park is the closest thing Malawi
has to a traditional wildlife park. Dominating the west, the Shire
River overflows with hippos and crocodiles and is a favourite stomping
ground for the abundant elephants. Waterbucks are also common near the
water, while beautiful sable and roan antelopes, zebras and elands
populate the surreal flood plains in the east. Night drives can reveal
spotted genets, bushbabies, scrub hares, side-striped jackals and even
spotted hyenas. Black rhinos are protected within a separate enclosure
and there’s a rich and colourful array of birdlife.
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Nyika National Park
Established in 1965, Nyika National Park is the oldest and the largest in the country, covering some 3000 sq km. The main feature of the park is the Nyika Plateau, with a landscape and climate unique in Malawi, and unusual in Africa. It’s a vast range of high rolling hills, sweeping wide valleys, dense pine forest and flower-studded grasslands, and the views (on clear days) are endless.
Rather than just a place to watch
wildlife, what makes Nyika alluring is the chance to explore a unique
and preserved patch of African wilderness in a variety of ways: on
horseback, by bike, or simply on foot. Common animals here include
zebras, bushbucks, reedbucks and roan antelopes, and you may also spot
warthogs, klipspringers, jackals and possibly hyenas and leopards. 
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