MALAWI
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This friendly nation is located at the southern tip of the Great African Rift Valley, and is a country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse array of flora and fauna, which has widespread appeal. It is a multi-party democracy and the official language English. Chichewa is the most commonly spoken local language, and other languages spoken include Chiyao, Chilomwe, Chitumbuka, Chitonga and Chisena. Curency is the Malawi Kwacha. The capital city is Lilongwe and other major towns include Blantyre (business centre), Zomba (academic centre), Mzuzu (fastest growing northern town), and Karonga.

At time of writing, visas are not needed by citizens of Commonwealth countries, the USA and most European nations (except Switzerland). Visas are limited to 30 days, though extensions are easy to obtain; all travellers pay an airport departure tax of US$20 when flying out of the country. There is a charge for domestic departures on MWK100. Most international flights land at Lilongwe, but several flights, especially those from Johannesburg and Harare, land at Blantyre in the south.

It is a county of diverse scenery from the open plains of the Nyika Plateau with dramatic scenery and wildlife to the long stretches of white sandy beaches on Lake Nyasa. Nyika National Park - rising to 2600m and covering more than 3000 sq kilometres, is an area of mountain grasses and bracken. It is cooler than other parts of Malawi, with night frosts occurring in winter (May to July). Horseback safaris are particularly recommended here. Nyika is for the bird lover - 435 species recorded, and flower fanatic - over two hundred species of orchid are found here. Game viewing is excellent as the Park is home to eland, roan antelope, zebra, reedbuck, bushbuck, Klipspringer, three special of duiker, warthog, bushpig and blue monkey. In the more remote areas only accessible by foot or horseback, there are elephant, buffalo, kudu, Sharpe's grysbok, baboon and vervet monkey. Predators include several striped jackal and healthy populations of spotted hyena and leopard - more easily visible and seen on the open hills than in most other parks of Africa. Viphya National Park to the south of the higher Nyika Plateau reaches 2000m with very similar vegetation and also pine plantation.

The Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve is a low-lying area contrasting interestingly to the high Nyika Plateau. Most of the reserve is flat and covered with mopane and miombo woodland, but the eastern side is hilly and the reserve is rich in wetlands with the Vwaza Marsh itself in the North and Lake Kazuni in the South. These wetlands provide a haven for animals and bird life. A lodge at Kasungu has excellent facilities and is set right on the edge of the lake, offering wonderful game viewing when animals come to drink.

Mt Mulanju east of Mulanie township, is one of the best areas for hiking. There are clear paths up the mountain, several huts and stunning scenery. On the plateaus there are clear mountain streams of icy water. The Shire Valley in the south of the country has the feel of old Africa. It's baobab country, with heat and mosquitoes in the rainy season.

At the Majete Reserve are the Kapachira Falls where Livingstone's voyage up the River Shire foundered. A hydroelectric dam has just been completed here. A great place for a picnic but the construction of the dam and power station may eventually deprive the falls of their water. The wetland of Elephant Marsh provides superb lakeside photo opportunities, with its fish-rich waters and abundant game it is a crocodile heaven.