My time in Malawi is slowly coming to an end with only 11
working weeks to go and a lot is still needing to be done and a lot more to
see.
The rains are slowly coming and Malawi becomes beautiful and
green again. Those that come during the
middle of the year will never appreciate Malawi’s true beauty. With the lake and it’s abundance of
activities to the greenery of the mountains, the maize and other crops growing
aplenty. Still not at its produce
optimum but definitely looking a lot better than November last year.
This weekend a group of friends and I took the 5hr journey
from Lilongwe to Kande beach which is situated in the northern region above
Nkhotakota right on the lake. We booked
a ride on the horses stationed there and I did 2 hours through the bush and
then down onto the beach where we ‘swam’ with the horses. An absolutely amazing experience and should
be put on the bucket list for Malawi. My
love for horses increased when I cantered somewhat properly (true horsey people
may beg to differ) for a considerable distance (for me anyway) and the
adrenalin rush was amazing. To feel what it’s like to do it ‘properly’ without
bouncing all over the place and also staying on! High 5 to me! I can see why it’s addictive! Mum and Dad a
horse for my birthday?!
It’s experiences like these that show the other side of
Malawi. In the north there are many
places that I have not been to and I need to put Nyika on the list. Unfortunately it might have to be for my
return trip. Other top places are the
rubber plantation (truly spectacular), Nkhata Bay where the water is so blue
and of course Mzuzu the coffee capital and the best Italian choc/coconut pana
cotta I’ve ever tasted!
In the southern region there is the beautiful and stunning
Cape Maclear where there is the best sun sets in Malawi. The Zomba plateau with amazing views and
another great horse riding place with views of old colonial cottages.
In the central region we have the local Senga Bay at the
lake, Namitete Dam and Dedza mountain.
The point of this blog is that Malawi has some amazing spots
and there is so much more of the country to be explored.
Unfortunately tourism is decreasing due to the new
introduction of the tourist visa payment and now the “wise” decision of the
president to drill for oil will potentially destroy some of the most
picturesque spots Malawi has to offer. A
country where the value of their Kwacha continues to fall daily, poverty
increases and whilst the rains are here we need so much more in order for
poverty and hunger to be kept at bay.
So if you’re thinking Africa for your next destination have
a little think about the crystal blue waters of Nkhata Bay, or the mountains
such as Mulanje that need to be climbed and the sunsets of Cape Mac that need
to be seen.
