10 Days in Malawi

Trip Start Sep 04, 2007
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Trip End Mar 05, 2008


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Flag of Malawi  ,
Friday, February 15, 2008

From Mbeya, Tanzania my friend Lauren and I rode a shuttle to near the border between Tanzania and Mozambique. We then had to walk 2km to the actual border. After getting our passports stamped we had to ride a taxi for 45 minutes to Karonga. Once in Karonga we had a 4 hour bus ride to Mzuzu. In many ways Malawi felt more "western" than Tanzania. I can't really determine what made me think this. They did have some proper almost "supermarkets" could this have been it? Who knows. After a couple days of R&R in Mzuzu we were ready to hit the road again.

We headed to Kande Beach next. Only a 2 hour minibus ride. This ride seemed extremely luxurious because the new minibus law. A couple days before we arrived in Malawi a law was passed which limited the number of people in a row of seats. Instead of 4 people or more to a row of seats (usually 18 or as many as 22+ plus the conductor and the driver Minibus (I found this one online)
Minibus (I found this one online)
 . Children and lugage is also somehow fit in these vans larger than a VW minibus but smaller than a 15 passenger van) there can only be 3 people to a row of seats (14-17 people plus conductor and driver). Once we arrived in Kande we had to walk 4 km (on a sand road) to the lodge. Kande Beach was deserted. There was Lauren and I, and maybe 2 couples the majority of the time we were there. Nice and quiet but maybe too quiet?

After 4 nights in Kande we headed back to Mzuzu so we could catch the night bus to Blantyre. The bus ride was 12 hours long. I don't mind long bus rides except when they are at night and I can't sleep which is always! We found Blantyre even more amazing than Mzuzu. Lots of restaurants, stores, banks, and a large city center. I don't know why a country like Tanzania with all of the western influences and tourism seemed so very "un-western." Looking back on it I find it strange that I found Blantyre so amazing. It is all in your perspective I guess.

In Blantyre we mostly explored and enjoyed the city. One day while we were in Blantyre we took a day trip to Zomba (the former capital of Malawi until the 60's). Zomba is known for the beautiful Zomba Plateau which is a popular place to hike. We were in Blantyre for 3 nights before heading to Mozambique.

We originally wanted to visit a couple more places in Malawi before leaving but we were advised to get to Mozambique as soon as possible. If we weren't under a time crunch it would have been great to see more of Malawi. It is a beautiful country with quite a bit to do considering its small size. The people in Malawi were very friendly and helpful. I would have loved to see more of Malawi but under the circumstances I don't regret that we didn't spend more time there.
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