About the Book
Bradt's Malawi by Africa expert Philip Briggs is the only standalone practical guide to 'Africa's best kept secret' and offers detailed, comprehensive information to suit the needs of every wanderer. This fully revised and updated 7th edition offers extensive practical information, all the latest cultural and political developments, plus a 19-chapter, in-depth breakdown and coverage of the country to cater for all interests and budgets. Malawi is increasingly covered in the media as a holiday destination and this guide reflects its position as an up-and-coming destination for bird watchers, safari enthusiasts, trekkers, beach seekers, kayakers, rock climbers, scuba divers, families, and backpackers alike. As 'the Warm Heart of Africa', Malawi is noted for the welcoming, friendly demeanour and colourful culture of its people which makes a 'Big 5' safari in Majete Wildlife Reserve and kayaking the palm-fringed Likoma Island magnificent footnotes to a Malawian adventure. From trekking the rugged, rural wilderness of Mount Mulanje to relaxing at Lake Malawi's beachside luxury resorts, Malawi is the textbook destination for those seeking an exotic African experience without the crowds.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Background Information
Geography, Climate, History, Government and administration, Economy, People and culture
Chapter 2 Flora and Fauna
Vegetation, Conservation areas, Wildlife
Chapter 3 Practical Information
When to visit, Itineraries, Tourist information, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Safety, Women travellers, What to take, Electricity, Money and banking, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Shopping, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette
Chapter 4 Health
Preparations, Medical problems, Unusual medical problems, Other safety concerns
PART TWO LILONGWE AND SOUTH-CENTRAL MALAWI
Chapter 5 Lilongwe
History, Getting there and away, Orientation, Getting around, Tourist information, Tour operators and safari companies, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Sports and swimming, Other
practicalities, What to see and do, Short trips from Lilongwe
Chapter 6 Senga Bay and Surrounds
Getting there and around, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Chapter 7 Dedza and Surrounds
Dedza, Chongoni Rock Art Area, Mua Mission and surrounds
Chapter 8 Lake Malawi National Park
Monkey Bay, Cape Maclear (Chembe), Inside Lake Malawi National Park
Chapter 9 Mangochi and the Southern Lakeshore
Mangochi, From Mangochi to Monkey Bay
PART THREE SOUTHERN MALAWI
Chapter 10 Liwonde
Liwonde Town, Liwonde National Park
Chapter 11 Zomba and Surrounds
Zomba Town, Zomba Plateau, Lake Chilwa, Chikala Pillars
Chapter 12 Blantyre
History, Getting there and away, Orientation and getting around, Tourist information, Tour operators and safari companies, Where to stay , Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Chapter 13 Mulanje and Surrounds
Mulanje Town, The Mulanje ring road, Mulanje Massif , Thyolo
Chapter 14 Lower Shire Valley
Getting around, Chikwawa, Majete Wildlife Reserve, Lengwe National Park, Nchalo Sugar Estate, Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, Bangula, Nsanje, Elephant Marsh
PART FOUR NORTH-CENTRAL MALAWI
Chapter 15 Inland from Lilongwe to Mzuzu
Ntchisi Forest Reserve, Kasungu, Kasungu National Park, Mzimba, South Viphya Forest Reserve
Chapter 16 Nkhotakota and Surrounds
History, Getting there and away, Tourist information, Where to stay, eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Beaches south of Nkhotakota, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
Chapter 17 The Lakeshore from Dwangwa to Chintheche
Dwangwa, Kande, Bandawe, Chintheche
Chapter 18 The Lake Ferry and the Islands
The Lake Ferry, Likoma Island, Chizumulu Island
Chapter 19 Nkhata Bay
Getting there and away, Tour/activity operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping, Other practicalities, Around Nkhata Bay
PART FIVE NORTHERN MALAWI
Chapter 20 Mzuzu
History, Getting there and away , Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do
Chapter 21 Nyika and Vwaza
Rumphi, Nyika National Park, Further afield, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve
Chapter 22 Livingstonia and the Northern Lakeshore Resorts
Kandewe Cultural Heritage Site, The lakeshore from Chiweta to Ngala, Livingstonia
Chapter 23 Karonga and the Far North
Karonga, Chitipa, Misuku Hills
Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Further Information
Index
About the Author :
Philip Briggs is the world's foremost travel writer specialising in Africa. Born in the UK and raised in South Africa, he first backpacked between Nairobi and Cape Town in 1986 and has been travelling the highways and byways of Africa ever since. Published in 1991, his Bradt guide to South Africa was the first such guidebook to be published internationally after the release of Nelson Mandela. Over the rest of the 1990s, he wrote a series of pioneering Bradt guides to destinations that were then - and in some cases still are - otherwise practically uncharted by the travel publishing industry. These included the first dedicated guidebooks to Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana and Rwanda (co-authored with Janice Booth). Philip has visited more than two dozen African countries in total and written about most of them, whether it be for guidebook publishers or for specialist travel and wildlife magazines including Africa Birds & Birding, Africa Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Travel Africa and Wanderlust.
