By: Rebecca and Sydney

LOCATION-Malawi, Africa is located in southern central part of Africa along the western part of the great rift valley. Malawi covers a total of 45,745 sq mi (118,480 sq km). About 17,377,468 people live in Malawi year-round.

CULTURE AND RELIGION- The religions in Malawi are Christian 82.6%, Muslim 13%, other 1.9%, none 2.5%. The official language is english but a common language is Chichewa. 26% of the children are use for child labor but they are very welcoming people. The Host/hostess always give you a cup to wash your hands in. Usaually malawi people are never on time. They operate under GMT (General Malawi Time). They pray before anything and everything so never miss a prayer. Don’t forget to NEVER openly walk and eat in the street or people will take your food.

GEOGRAPHY-The countries terrain contains many hills, plateaus, and mountains. Surrounded by Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania. Lake Malawi occupies most of the country’s eastern border. The north-south Rift Valley is flanked by mountain ranges and high plateau areas.

HISTORY- Malawi dates back to 8000-2000 B.C. Several major kingdoms were established in the precolonial period some being the Maravi in 1480, the Ngonde in 1600, and the Chikulamayembe in the 18th century. The first European to make extensive explorations in the area was David Livingstone in the 1850s and 1860s. In 1884, Cecil Rhodes’s British South African Company received a charter to develop the country. The company came into conflict with the Arab slavers in 1887–1889. Britain annexed what was then called the Nyasaland territory in 1891 which made it a protectorate in 1892.

DEMOGRAPHICS- They have a great stable government, a multi party democracy! Although they might not be the richest place in africa they do wear some pretty nice western clothes. The men wear no specific national dress but a typical man would wear jeans and t-shirts but numerous people wear religious robes or clothing. The women typically have on a headcloth, blouse, Chitenje, large sarong (used as baby carrier, head scarf, or oven mitts)

SCHEDULE

DAY 1- Liwonde National Park
Located at the southern tip of Lake Malombe in the south of Malawi, Liwonde National Park is truly a national treasure worth experiencing. While Malawi is not as well known for famous artifacts as other African countries, Liwonde is crawling with wildlife that literally sits at your feet, making this national park the most popular in the country.

DAY 2- Chongoni Rock Art
The Chongoni Rock Art Area is located on the southern African plateau about 80 km south-east of Lilongwe near the town of Dedza. It is an area of forested hills with numerous granite rocks and kopjes( small usually rocky hill especially on the African veld), protected as Forest Reserves. Within the hills, 127 rock shelters have been used for rock art in central Africa. Unusually, it is the work of farming communities, and part of a thriving tradition.

DAY 3- Lengwe National Park
Lengwe is Malawi’s southernmost park. It’s flat with plenty of driveable tracks among mixed woodland and grassy dambo (wetlands). The sparse vegetation means that animal viewing is good here, in the dry season animals congregate around the park’s few permanent watering holes. Mammals include nyalas (at the northern limit of their distribution in Africa), bushbucks, impalas, duikers, kudus, warthogs and buffaloes, as well as hyenas and leopards and the occasional elephants.

DAY 4- Monkey Bay
On the southern lakeshore is the Monkey Bay, but the visitors are more likely to see signs of industry rather than monkeys. Monkey Bay is considered to be one of Malawi’s main lake Ports, but does also offer much for tourists visiting or passing through the area. With sandy beaches and tropical fish all around, Monkey Bay provides a good place to go diving and experience the marine life of Lake Malawi. Connected by bus to Lilongwe and Blantyre, Monkey Bay is often traveled through on the road to Cape Maclear and if wanting to experience a place not overwhelmed by tourism, Monkey Bay makes a good stop.

DAY 5- Mount Mulanje
The scale of this huge mountain has to be seen to be appreciated. Its bare rock towers to almost 10000 ft (3000m), dwarfing all that surrounds it. It lies to the east of Blantyre and is easily accessible. Visitors can drive round the foot of the massif in a day but even more attractive is to trek and camp on the mountains. There are choices between quite gentle walking and serious climbing. Arrangement can be made to hire camping equipment and the services of guides. Mount mulanje is also known as the island in the sky. People come to discover the delights of its natural pools and stunning views. Always open to tourists and free admission.

DAY 6- Lake Malawi National Park
Located at the southern end of Lake Malawi, the property is of great importance for due particularly to its fish diversity. Lying within the Western Rift Valley, Lake Malawi is one of the deepest lakes in the world. The land is an area of exceptional natural beauty with the rugged landscapes around it with remarkably clear waters of the lake. The property is home to many hundreds of cichlid fish, nearly all of which are home to Lake Malawi, and are known locally as “mbuna”. Due to the isolation of Lake Malawi from other water bodies, its fish have developed impressive adaptive skills.

DAY 7- Cape Maclear
A long stretch of powder-fine sand from mountains and complemented by dazzling water, Cape Maclear deserves all the beauty thrown at it. By day the bay glitters a royal blue, with nearby islands, and crayon-coloured fishing boats. On shore women wash clothes, and dry fish. And there’s bags of things to do aside from lotus eating on a hammock, be it kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, walking or diving. Come afternoon the streets ring with music from the backstreet gospel choirs. Prepare to be amazed!