MALAWI: Ilala Ferry On Lake Malawi

The Ilala has chugged up and down Lake Malawi each week since 1951. On its 6 day round trip the Ilala travels over 400km from Monkey Bay to Chilumba near the lake’s northern end, with 13 stops along the way.

Although Lake Malawi is totally landlocked, at 365 miles long, 52 miles wide and up to 700m deep you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived at the coast!

This vast body of freshwater fringed by beaches of golden sand offers a plethora of water sport opportunities for those looking for something beyond sun, sand and swimming.

But, if you are wanting to absorb the scenic wonderland and experience authentic Malawi then there’s 600-tonne ferry that can help you take it all in.

The Ilala ferry provides a vital lifeline service to local communities along the lake, as well as offering an affordable form of transport for the more adventurous tourist.

At 66 years old Ilala is no spring chicken, but it did have a complete refit just a few years ago, which included brand new engines giving it a top speed of 10 knots!

The vessel isn’t for those expecting a luxury cruiser, but it does exude a charm that has ‘Malawi’ written all over it. It gives the opportunity to take in the stunning scenery, experience a slice of daily Malawian life, and give yourself the chance to slow down, and take in your surroundings.

The ship docks for several hours at Likoma Island where you’ll have time for a swim and a meal at one of the cafes along the beach.

There are spectacular island views from the tower in Saint Peter’s cathedral if you’d like some more picture opportunities and a swim in the lake isn’t for you.

Another popular stop is Nkhata Bay, a stunning shoreline with plenty of accommodation overlooking the lake. There is a woodcarving market and plenty of restaurants and bars to take up your time here.

Author Oliver Ransfors, in his book Livingstone's Lake, perfectly describes the atmosphere on board the Ilala: "Each day on board, amid the excited bell ringing, siren shrieks and hooting that seem inseparable from all maritime arrivals and departures, laughing crowds of Malawians line up on the Ilala's deck to disembark, cluttered up with baggage that includes bicycles, cages filled with squawking fowl, sewing machines and even tethered goats.”

Fares for economy class start from US$2.50 - 12, the ‘Owners Cabin’ ranges from US$42 - 120 one way - depending on the distance travelled.

TANZANIA: Tanzania Has Highest Population Of Wild Animals In Africa

The Northern Circuit is probably Africa’s most dramatic wildlife area. Game safaris never fail to satisfy with the thrill of the big game; they also offer diverse flora, panoramic landscapes and spectacular mountains; the game migrations across the plains defy description. The Serengeti is an ‘Immortal Eden’ where nature reigns - vast endless plains echo with thundering hooves of over two million migrating wildebeest.

Ngorongoro crater heralded as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ is an awe-inspiring caldera; enclosed by sheer walls the crater is breathtaking; this Garden of Eden flourishes with flora and fauna. The Northern Circuit has other equally exceptional game sanctuaries such as Tarangire National Park, which during the dry season has teeming herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle passing through in search of water; and patiently the predators follow these grazers; Tarangire National Park also boasts many hundreds of bird species.

Lake Manyara National Park where tree-climbing lions sprawl on stout limbs of acacia. The lovely Arusha National Park nestling against Mount Meru; Lakes Natron and Eyasi are soda lakes that are as fascinating as they are remote and Olduvai Gorge known as the cradle of humankind; so come and let us take you on a safari of a lifetime in Northern Tanzania.

The Southern Circuit is off the beaten track. It is said that Tanzania even now has undiscovered nature secrets. This is not an exaggeration and the seldom-traveled southern circuit offers safaris that evoke the romance, enchantment and spiritual delight of the African bush. The Selous Game Reserve embraces 54,000 square kilometers of southwestern Tanzania; it is the largest protected wilderness reserve on the continent, three times larger than the Serengeti.
There is also Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is a park without roads and is Tanzania’s first National Park created primarily to protect flora rather than fauna. Other parks in Southern Tanzania are Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park and the Southern Highlands close to Lake Nyasa ,Lake Malawi.

Chimpanzee trails at Lake Tanganyika along the almost inaccessible Lake Tanganyika – the world’s second deepest lake – lay two exceptional game parks which are home to troops of chimpanzee. Gombe Stream National Park and Mahale Mountain National Park provide a rare opportunity to observe and study behavior of one of the most interesting area the world has to offer.

Kilimanjaro “As far as you can see, as wide as the whole world and unbelievably white as the sun” This is Kilimanjaro through the eyes of Ernest Hemingway. At 5895m Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest point and the world’s highest freestanding mountain. Incredibly, the snow-capped peak is only a few hours away from a tropical coastline.

It is fascinating to experience this mountain as it raise majestically above the hazy African plains and trekking to the summit from equatorial Africa to artic conditions; passing through tropical rain forest, moorland, alpine desert onto snow and ice.
Routes for climbing Kilimanjaro are: - Marangu, Rongia, Machame, Mweka, Umbwe and Shira Plateau. Anyone above the age of 12 years, physically fit enough to walk 20 km per day may attempt to climb this mountain.

Zanzibar never fails to evoke the exotic, the magic of ancient times, from early explorers and missionaries, to slave traders and colonial rulers. All this is mirrored in Stone Town and its historical architecture and the rich ethnic mixture of its culture. In the towns’ narrow streets, every sight, every glance conjures up the romantic past. Beyond Stone Town clad in spice gardens are silver sandy beaches bejeweled by superb resorts. Zanzibar is a tropical paradise that dreams are made from; pristine beaches, unspoiled reefs, fantastic sport fishing and romantic dhow cruises make Zanzibar the ideal place to relax after your safari.

The scintillating coast crystal seas, sun bleached white sands give Tanzania’s cost a scintillating appearance. The palm fringed coastline look out over the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Tranquil coral lagoons shelter underwater coral gardens, boasting some of the best diving in the world; Tanzania and Zanzibar welcome you to explore a diving paradise. Ancient ruins rest among whispering easuarinas and palms enticing you to explore.

Take time to discover the bustling city of Dar es Salaam: Bagamoyo an old slave port north of Dar es Salaam: Pangani famous for game fishing at the Pemba Channel and to the south is Kilwa with its fascinating medieval ruins and remote white beaches.

MALAWI: National Geographic Goes Mad For Malawi

One of the top magazine brands in the world, National Geographic, has been recently going wild for all things Malawi. This includes featuring Malawi in a full length article and holiday prize competition in National Geographic Traveller magazine and having a 6 page spread in the current issue of National Geographic Kids magazine.

Reading the National Geographic traveller Magazine is a great way to help you plan the best time to go on your next jet-setting adventure and will inspire your choice of destination with amazing photography and passionate articles. With Malawi having much to offer i.e. Wildlife, Culture, Adventure and the third largest lake in Africa it’s no wonder that the magazine is now focussed on the country. The December issue contains an 8 page feature and a competition to win a holiday in Malawi. The compettion can be entered online: click here. The feature covers Malawi’s cities: Lilongwe, Blantyre, Zomba; two of Malawi’s most popular parks Liwonde National Park, Majete Wildlife Reserve; and of course the scenic wonderland that is Lake Malawi.

Chris Leadbeater, who wrote the Malawi feature, was clearly very taken with the country:
"A tiny pocket of Southern Africa, with its very own Lake of Stars, Malawi is warm, welcoming, yet hard to pin down. With a ragged beauty, lantern-lit boats trawling its waters and wildlife-packed parks, this is Africa at its most endearing."

The article features some of Malawi’s top lodges in Mvuu Lodge, Pumulani and Mkulumadzi and the trip was put together by the high-quality UK tour operator, Expert Africa, with Chris’s flight provided by the ever reliable South African Airways.

The National Geographic Kids magazine has always been a great way to help children learn about different cultures and traditions. Plus they can also read about all the different animals from all over the world – and now Malawi’s animals are in the limelight. The October edition featured an interview with bat expert, Dr Emma Stone, who runs a bat conservation project in Malawi, African Bat Conservation. And the November edition covered the wonderful Satemwa Tea Plantations in the Thyolo area, and Malawi’s importance to the UK tea trade.

At a time when Malawi’s wildlife is hot news, the current December edition of the magazine contains a massive 6 page spread of Safari experiences in Liwonde National Park. It’s a brilliant showcase of Malawi’s biggest animals. Hippos, Elephants and Rhinos get the most attention in a feature that is a great read for kids and adults. It ends with an exciting rhino-tracking adventure lead by Hungarian rhino specialist Krisztián Gyöngyi and expert rhino tracker Christopher Kanyange at Liwonde National Park! You can read that article online here.

Organised by passionate travel experts, Mahlatini, and flying in with one of the leading africa airlines, Kenya Airways, it’s clear to see why the trip was such a success. Georgia Harrison, writer of the Nat Geo Kids articles, was full of gushing praise on her return from her 'incredible' trip to Malawi: “Wow – what an experience!… I had a blast … such an action-packed itinerary. So much to write about! Please accept my overflowing gratitude.”

And the magazine hasn’t had enough of Malawi yet – keep your eyes peeled in 2016 for a Lake Malawi feature!

Don't forget to enter the Malawi Holiday Competition (click here) and to pick up copies of the current editions of National Geographic Traveller and National Geographic Kids to read all about Malawi!

MALAWI: Upgrades At Makuzi Beach Lodge

Makuzi Beach Lodge, on the northern shore of Lake Malawi, have been hard at work upgrading some of their Standard Chalets. They’ve recently completed upgrades to one standard chalet up to a Superior and will have finished another 3 by January. Superior Chalets have full bathrooms, a large living space and a mini-bar fridge. Also by February they will have completed 2 new family chalets which have 2 rooms that are inter linked by a lounge and small verandah and set individually in the gardens with a lake facing view close to the beach.

The second chalet to be upgraded is nearly finished and Makuzi have begun the upgrade on the 3rd standard chalet. The upgraded chalets are going to be extended and new furniture will be put in, bed sizes will be upgraded from a double to queen size, plus new bigger modern bathrooms with showers will be added. They will also make double glass doors on the front of the chalets leading to a small veranda. All of the chalets will now have tea and coffee facilities.

Makuzi Beach Lodge is located along the northern shores of Lake Malawi, 5km south of Chintheche and 7km north of Kande Beach. The lodge is perfectly positioned to offer guests spectacular views of the lake while enjoying a quiet drink at the bar. The Restaurant has an excellent reputation for outstanding cuisine and guests are encouraged to enjoy the full African experience while dining under the stars.

There’s a wide variety of activities: swimming, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking or just wallowing in the lake. Makuzi holds Yoga and Meditation Retreats offering daily classes from its on-site Yoga Teacher or you can relax with a massage.

MALAWI: Find Blue Zebras In Malawi

It’s true, Malawi really is home to Blue Zebras, not quite like the one in the (retouched) picture above. You might have to look a little closer for these zebras, as they tend to be quite small. Nor do they have legs but gills instead, as they’re stunning little fish that live within the sparkling waters of Lake Malawi.

The Blue Zebra originated in deep rocky waters of Lake Malawi in Africa and is one of the cichlid species. It is also known as the Mbuna Cichlid. The word “Mbuna” means “rock fish”, which refers to its habitat. Blue Zebras can be as small as 2.5cm in length, with larger species approaching nearly 15cm in length.

Blue Zebra are endemic to Lake Malawi, where they are most commonly found living in the north and north- eastern areas of the lake, in rocky formations along the shoreline, and around rock caves and crevices. Many cichlids are primarily herbivores, (at least they have something in common with typical Zebras!), feeding on algae and plants.

More than a thousand species of African cichlid live in Lake Malawi, and of these, several hundred are endemic. In 2010, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified 184 species of cichlid as vulnerable, 52 as endangered, and 106 as critically endangered. At present, six species are listed as entirely extinct, but it is acknowledged that many more possibly belong in these categories.

Lake Malawi is one of the largest in Africa, boasting a unique aquatic ecosystem that contributes to such a diverse palette of fish life.


Although a lake of crystal clear fresh water, Lake Malawi’s size and depth gives it a sea- like appearance, with one side barely visible from the other, and long stretches of totally uninhabited golden sandy lakeshore. The lake is a real life aquarium, and home to more species of fish than in all the lakes and Rivers of Europe and North America put together!

Lake Malawi provides the opportunity for almost any water sport you care to think of. The lakes size, its warm freshwater and its beautiful surrounding beaches make it a magnet for those seeking an all-year round location to swim, scuba dive, snorkel, water ski, sail, kayak parasail or simply potter about in boats.

For a traditional experience of the lake, take a trip on the famous mv Ilala, the local waterbus.