Zomba is a city situated in the southern part of the southeastern African country, Malawi. It is one of the important cities of Malawi as it served as the capital of the first British Central Africa and then independent Malawi from 1964 to 1974. Currently it is the hotspot of tourists, mainly for its British colonial architecture and natural scenery. Zomba is the seat of Zomba District, lying at the foot of the vivid Zomba Plateau. Zomba is located between 15°23′ S latitude and 35°20′ E longitude, around 330 km southeast of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi.

History of Zomba:

Zomba holds a strong and long historical background, served as the capital of the first British Central Africa and Nyasaland and then the Republic of Malawi from 1964 to 1974, when the capital was moved to Lilongwe. Some British establishments still existent in the city include the Sir Harry Johnston Primary School, Zomba Gymkhana Club, the botanical garden and the golf course.

How to reach Zomba?

Zomba is served by the Chileka International Airport, located around 60 km southwest of the city of Zomba. This airport receives flights from Johannesburg, Beira, Harare, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Tete and Nairobi.

Zomba has a good connectivity by bus to all the major cities in Malawi, including Mangochi and Lilongwe, catered by kombi bus service, National Bus Service and mini-buses.

Zomba is home to many car hire companies that offer cars for both short and long terms.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Zomba:

The population of Zomba covers the blend of Muslim and Christian people, who live in peace.

There is a supermarket People Supermarket and other than this, the city houses many traditional shops specialized in offering carved wooden curios and paintings.

Some nice restaurants in Zomba are as follows:

• Annie’s
• Tasty Bites
• African Heritage – Luso Lathu

Things to do in Zomba:

• Golfing
• Mountain-biking
• Horse riding
• Rock-climbing
• Fishing
• Hiking

Tourist Attractions in Zomba:

Zomba Plateau:

The Zomba Plateau is the first preference of visitors coming to Zambia. Tourists mainly visit the plateau to enjoy different outdoor activities it offer like mountain-biking, horse riding, rock-climbing, fishing and hiking. There are also many lodges and guest houses within the plateau.

Botanical garden in Zomba:

The botanical garden in Zomba was constructed during the British rule in Malawi when Zomba was the capital. The garden is located in the vicinity of the old parliament building, frequented by locals and tourists.

The Zomba Gymkhana Club:

The Zomba Gymkhana Club is one of the old establishments in Zomba, which was earlier used for different social activities but now its use is declined. Although now it is allowed for visitors to see what communal activities took place here.

Educational institutions in Zomba:

Zomba is the site of many reputed educational institutions that have made impression on visitors coming to the city by organizing regular cultural activities and other colorful programs. The major institutions in the city include the University of Malawi, Sir Harry Johnston International Primary School and Zomba Catholic Secondary School.

Other attractive places in Zomba include:

• Zomba Theological College
• Mulunguzi River springs
• Zomba Central Prison
• Zomba Hospital
• Golf course
• Zomba Mosque
• Zomba District Council Building
• CCAP Church

When to visit Zomba?

Zomba is a year round destination, although visitors can make its best tour in any month between May and October.

Hotels in Zomba:

Holding a title of the former capital of Malawi, Zomba draws a large number of tourists during dry months and in order to serve them, the city houses all sorts of upgraded hotels with all kinds of modern and traditional facilities. Here are some nice hotels in Zomba and Blantyre (around 60 km):

• Hotel Masongola
• Sunbird Ku Chawe Inn
• Annie’s Lodge Zomba
• Pakachere Backpackers
• Casa Rossa
• Zomba Forest Lodge
• Casa Mia Lodge & Restaurant
• Leslie Lodge
• Pedro’s Lodge
• Annie’s Lodge Blantyre
• Studios de France
• Top Lodge
• Mount Pleasant Inn
• The Namiwawa Blantyre

The post Tourist Places to Visit in Zomba, Malawi, South Africa, Africa appeared first on MustVisitPlace.com.

Monkey Bay is a town situated in the Mangochi District in the Southern Region of the southeastern African country, Malawi, around 200 km east of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. It is one of the top tourist destinations of Malawi, manly noted for its spectacular beaches on the shore of Lake Malawi, which are famous all around the country. Monkey Bay has facilities of an internet café, a police station, a supermarket and a hospital. The geographical coordinates of Monkey Bay are 14°05′00″ S 34°55′00″ E and its elevation measures 500 meters.

History of Monkey Bay:

Before coming under the British rule, Monkey Bay had seen the rule of the Muslim Yao chief, Mponda, until the end of the 19^th century. Monkey Bay also saw the death of the first Bishop of Likoma, Chauncy Maples, who drowned in Lake Malawi in the vicinity of Monkey Bay.

Connectivity to Monkey Bay:

The Lilongwe International Airport is the Malawian’s important airport and the major closest airport to Monkey Bay, situated around 210 km away from the midpoint of the town of Monkey Bay. This airport covers Addis Ababa, Lusaka, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Blantyre, Likoma, Mfuwe, Lusaka, Harare and many other African destinations.

The bus connection of Monkey Bay is expanded to all the prime cities and towns of Malawi, including the national capital, Lilongwe and Blantyre.

Shopping and Food in Monkey Bay:

Monkey Bay houses a supermarket, a traditional market and many other smaller shops. The town is also home to an internet café, food corners with both local and international dishes but there is no bank or ATM in Monkey Bay, for which visitors are needed to reach Mangochi, which is around 60 km away from Monkey Bay.

Things to do in Monkey Bay:

• Boat cruising
• Kayaking
• Diving
• Snorkeling

Tourist Attractions in Monkey Bay:

Beaches in Monkey Bay:

The beaches of Monkey Bay are considered as one of the best of Malawi that are highly admired by overseas tourists for tidiness and pleasant environment. There are also many diving schools in Monkey Bay.

Cape Maclear:

The Cape Maclear is the busiest resort in Malawi on the shore of Lake Malawi. It is situated around 18 km northwest of Monkey Bay, offering wide range of outdoor activities like snorkeling, hiking, boat cruises, kayaking, and diving. Bars, restaurants, and lodges are plenty in number in Cape Maclear.

Lake Malawi National Park:

The Lake Malawi National Park is UNESCO designated World Heritage Site, covering an area of 94 km². It was established to protect fish and aquatic habitats in the year 1980. Population of baboons, a huge baobab tree and many small islands are its highlights.

Mangochi:

Mangochi is a tourist favor town, situated around 60 km southeast of Monkey Bay, housing Lake Malawi Museum, Clock Tower, Shire Bridge and many other winsome manmade and natural tourist attractions.

Other attractive places near Monkey Bay include:

• Religious sites in Mangochi
• Shire Bridge in Mangochi
• Lake Malawi Museum
• Chichiri Shopping Center
• Chichiri Museum
• Lengwe National Park
• Mandala House
• Mount Mulanje
• Chifundo Artisan’s Network Art Studio Shop
• The Way of the Cross
• Liwonde National Park
• St Michael and All Angels Church

Ideal time to visit Monkey Bay:

The pleasant weather of Monkey Bay makes it as a year round destination, although to experience the best of Monkey Bay’s beaches, visitors can choose any month between May and October.

Where to stay in Monkey Bay?

Monkey Bay is a colorful town housing many standard hotels with upgraded facilities providing healthy and memorable hospitality service to visitors coming to the town from different regions of Africa. Also it is advised for visitors to keep some local currency in pocket as some hotels in Monkey Bay don’t accept cards. Some nice hotels in and around Monkey Bay are given below:

• Villa Tafika Lodge
• Alcon Cottages
• Monkey Bay Mufasa Backpacker Lodges
• Sun n Sand Holiday Resort
• Sunbird Nkopola Lodge
• The Makokola Retreat
• Twin Towers Lodge
• Nyanja Eco Lodges
• Mpale Cultural Village
• Palm Beach Leisure Resort
• Namizimu Forest Retreat
• Boadzulu Holiday Resort
• Nanchengwa Lodge

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Mangochi is a resort town situated on the shoreline of the Lake Malawi in the Southern Region of Malawi, lying around 470 meters above sea level. It is relatively an upgraded town, situated around 180 km north of the country’s 2^nd largest city, Blantyre and 250 km southwest of Lilongwe, the capital and largest city of Malawi. Due to its position on the shore of the Lake Malawi, Mangochi gains lot from it, mainly tourists from the different regions of the country.

Mangochi is home to many marine-engineering shops, shops, supermarkets and banks. Mangochi coordinates with 14°27′36″ S latitude and 35°16′12″ E longitude, experiencing a tropical savanna climate.

History of Mangochi:

Mangochi originated as a British colonial defense post in the 1890s, was established by colonial administrator Sir Harry Johnston. Fort Johnston was the former name of Mangochi, which emerged as a slave market and administrative center during the British rule. Mangochi was also the site of the establishment of the British gunboat Gwendolen in 1897.

Getting Mangochi:

The Chileka International Airport is the closest airport to Mangochi, situated around 180 km away. This airport operates flights from and to Johannesburg, Beira, Harare, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Tete and Nairobi.

Mangochi has good connectivity by bus to all the major cities of the country like Liwonde, Zomba, and Blantyre.

The local transportation of Mangochi is served by minibuses and rental cars and bikes.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Mangochi:

Yao people dominate the population of Mangochi and have their own dialect. The Lake Malawi Museum is the major cultural centre in Mangochi.

Mangochi houses many supermarkets and dozens of grocery and cloth shops. Sun ‘n Sand Resort Restaurant is one of the reputed food corners in Mangochi, giving full values for visitors’ money.

Things to do in Mangochi:

• Shopping
• Hiking
• Day tours

Tourist Attractions in Mangochi:

Lake Malawi Museum:

The Lake Malawi Museum is popular museum in the region housing a wide range of items showcasing the environmental, historical an ethnical features of Mangochi. The highlights include Hotchkiss gun, model of the Guendolin gunboat and marine steam engine.

Clock Tower:

Clock Tower in Mangochi was constructed in the early 20th century in the honor of Queen Victoria during the British rule in Malawi. It is now one of the major landmarks as well as tourist attractions of Mangochi.

Shire Bridge:

The Shire Bridge is a scenic manmade attraction, drawing tourists for its grand constriction and nature enthusiasts who like to enjoy sightseeing.

Religious sites in Mangochi:

Mangochi houses a large mosque and Catholic Cathedral and both of these are famous among both visitors and locals for nice constructions and holiness.

Other attractive places in Mangochi and Blantyre (180 km) include:

• Chichiri Shopping Center
• Chichiri Museum
• St Michael and All Angels Church
• Mandala House
• Mount Mulanje
• Chifundo Artisan’s Network Art Studio Shop
• Lengwe National Park
• The Way of the Cross
• Liwonde National Park

When to visit Mangochi?

Probably from May to October is the best time to visit Mangochi while the weather remains dry.

Hotels in Mangochi:

Being a tourist destination, Mangochi boasts many accommodation centres, highly guesthouses and lodges of which most are upgraded providing different modernized facilities and services. The Nkopola Lodge is one of the recommended options, offering visitors swimming, fishing, and sailing activities. List of the famous hotels in Mangochi are listed below:

• Sun n Sand Holiday Resort
• Sunbird Nkopola Lodge
• The Makokola Retreat
• Palm Beach Leisure Resort
• Namizimu Forest Retreat
• Boadzulu Holiday Resort
• Nanchengwa Lodge
• Twin Towers Lodge
• Nyanja Eco Lodges
• Mpale Cultural Village
• Villa Tafika Lodge
• Alcon Cottages
• Monkey Bay Mufasa Backpacker Lodges

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Lilongwe is the capital city of Malawi situated in the heart of the country, between 13°59′ S latitude and 33°47′ E longitude, around 350 km northwest of the commercial capital of the country, Blantyre. Lilongwe holds the highest population among other cities in Malawi, crossing 978,800 of the 2014 census. Lilongwe lies on plateau at an elevation of 1,050 meters and experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and warm summers.

Lilongwe is home to one of the colleges belonging to the University of Malawi. When comes to tourism, Lilongwe houses many manmade attractions like the Parliament Building, Lilongwe Play Centre and Discorium.

History of Lilongwe:

Until becoming the British colonial administrative centre during the British rule in Malawi in the early 20th century, Lilongwe had a status of small fishing village from long very period. Following the independence of Malawi, the capital was shifted to Zomba in 1964 and Lilongwe regained capital status in 1974 with the decision of Hastings Banda.

How to reach Lilongwe?

Lilongwe is served by the Lilongwe International Airport, which is situated around 20 km away from the midpoint of the Lilongwe city. The airport is catered by Ulendo Airlink, South African Airways, Proflight Zambia, Malawian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines with scheduled flights from Blantyre, Likoma, Mfuwe, Johannesburg, Lusaka, Beira, Blantyre, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Lusaka, Maputo, Tete, Nairobi and Addis Ababa.

By bus, Lilongwe has link with the international destinations like Lusaka, Dar es Salaam, Harare and Johannesburg.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Lilongwe:

Lilongwe is city with people belonging to different communities and also houses some European population, mainly from Britain.

Here are typical shopping options in Lilongwe:

• Old Town Mall
• Gems and Jewellery Lanka
• Crossroads Complex

Apart from traditional food corners, Lilongwe hosts several international chain food corners that are centered in downtown Lilongwe and in Old Town Mall. Some of them are as follows:

• Korea Garden Lodge
• Bohemia Cafe
• Chilli Peppers
• Four Seasons

Things to do in Lilongwe:

• Vision gaming
• Golfing
• Shopping
• City tours

Tourist Attractions in Lilongwe:

Wild Life Centre:

Wild Life Centre in Lilongwe is a reserve for orphaned and rescued animals that are brought from the different regions of the country. The sanctuary is home to both permanent and rehabilitated wild life, of which highlights are leopard and lions.

Parliament Building:

The Parliament Building of Malawi is situated at Presidential Way in Lilongwe, constructed by Chinese company. Both interior and exterior designs of the building are great to see, showcasing the quality work of Chinese architects.

Kumbali Cultural Centre:

The Kumbali Cultural Centre was constructed to display the cultural features of the Malawian people to visitors. Traditional Malawian drumming, dancing, music and dinner are highlights here.

Lilongwe Golf Club:

The Lilongwe Golf Club is one of the landmarks of Lilongwe, featuring 18 hole course and is cheaper comparing western prices. It is also an ideal place for beginners.

Old Town Mall:

The Old Town Mall is the most famous shopping centre in Lilongwe, housing two art and craft galleries, Italian Restaurant, Serendipity Café, DVD shop and different entertainment centres.

Other attractive places in Lilongwe include:

• Crossroads Complex
• University of Malawi
• Lilongwe Play Centre
• Discorium
• Gems and Jewellery Lanka
• Kumbali Cultural Village

Ideal time to visit Lilongwe:

Visitors can choose any of the months between May and August to visit Lilongwe to make tour memorable.

Where to stay in Lilongwe:

Lilongwe is a city for all types of tourists as housing a wide range accommodation options such as hotels, campsites, lodges and guesthouses with different amenities. Luxury hotels in Lilongwe charge around US$120 per night for single. The major hotels in Lilongwe in Malawi are listed below:

• Korea Garden Lodge
• Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre
• Kiboko Town Hotel
• Heuglin’s Lodge Lilongwe
• Crossroads Hotel
• Sunbird Capital
• Sunbird Lilongwe
• Pacific Hotel
• Ufulu Gardens
• Kalikuti Hotel
• Cluny Lodge
• Africa House Malawi
• Burley House
• Wendels Guest House
• Golden Peacock Hotel

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Karonga is a town situated in the Karonga District in the Northern Region of the southeastern African country, Malawi. It lies on the western shore of Lake Nyasa, around 560 km north of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Karonga is famous among visitors for its museum, the Culture and Museum Center Karonga. Karonga also hosts an airport. The economy of Karonga is concentrated on its agricultural activities, specifically on cotton, rice and maize production. Karonga is geographically positioned between 09°56′00″ S latitude and 33°56′00″ E longitude, at an elevation of 478 meters.

History of Karonga:

Karonga originated as a slaving centre as a part of the prominent Arab slaver, Mlozi. After two years of becoming a British trading post in 1883, Karonga was purchased by the British explorer Sir Harry Johnston in 1985 and he ended the slave trade in the region. That Arab influence is still alive among local people.

How to reach Karonga?

Karonga hosts an airport but flights are not regular, so getting Karonga through airway is not recommended.

The major nearest airport to Karonga is Lilongwe International Airport, which is located around 530 km north of Karonga, receiving flights from Nairobi, Johannesburg, Blantyre, Likoma, Mfuwe, Lusaka, Harare, Addis Ababa, Lusaka and many other African cities.

By bus, Karonga is linked to Mzuzu and Nkhata Bay, which are situated around 220 km and 260 km away from Karonga respectively.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Karonga:

The culture of Karonga is focused on the Culture and Museum Center Karonga, which is the famous cultural centre exhibiting the local culture and history with well preserved objects.

The town of Karonga houses many nice modernized shops and restaurants that are spread up all around the town.

Things to do in Karonga:

• Village tours
• Fishing
• Hiking

Places of interest in Karonga:

Culture and Museum Center Karonga:

The Culture and Museum Center Karonga is a prominent tourist attraction in Karonga. The museum is mainly noted for 150 million year old fossil, called Malawisaurus, a dinosaur species which was discovered in the area, around 45 km from Karonga and is placed at division, named “From Dinosaurs to Democracy”, which describes the complete prehistory and history of Karonga.

Mzuzu Airport:

The Mzuzu Airport is a nicely constructed modern airport, situated at an elevation of 538 meters. Although receiving few flights, the airport draws a large number of visitors for its grand construction and surrounding environment.

Lake Malawi:

The Lake Malawi sprawls over an area of 29,600 sq. km, is shared between three African countries Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania while its largest portion in Malawi. The lake is especially noted for cichlid fish, around 1000 species. Karonga is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Malawi.

Nyika National Park:

Situated around 150 km south of Karonga, the Nyika National Park is the largest national park of Malawi, covering an area of 3200 km². It is home to around 400 bird species, dozens of animal species including elephants and buffalos and trout pools and a neolithic rock shelter.

List of other places of interest in Karonga includes:

• Ulisa Gardens
• Old Bandawe Mission Station
• Nature Sanctuary in Lilongwe
• Gems and Jewellery Lanka
• Kumbali Cultural Village
• Parliament Building in Lilongwe
• Old Town Mall in Lilongwe
• Lilongwe Play Centre

Best time to visit Karonga:

Probably from May to October is the best time to visit Karonga while the weather remains pleasant and supportive for outdoor activities.

Accommodation options in Karonga:

It is difficult to find standard hotels in Karonga but visitors can consider lodges for their accommodation in Karonga. The main lodges are Mikoma Beach Lodge and FloJa Malawi Lodge and other than these, Karonga houses some camping options as well. Here are some standard hotels in Karonga, Mzuzu (around 220 km) and Nkhata Bay (around 260 km):

• Mikoma Beach Lodge
• FloJa Malawi Lodge
• Sunbird Mzuzu Hotel
• Mimosa Court Hotel
• Ilala Crest Lodge
• Flame Tree Guest House
• Mzoozoozoo Lodge
• Pine Tree B & B
• CCAP William Koyi Guest House
• Moni Lodge
• Mayoka Village
• Njaya Lodge
• Aqua Africa
• Ngala Beach Lodge
• Zulunkhuni River Lodge

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Malawi is a small African country situated in the southeastern part of the continent, blessed with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It shares its borders with Mozambique towards the west, east and south, Tanzania towards the northeast and Zambia towards the northwest. Lilongwe is the capital and largest city of Malawi. Malawi covers a total area of 118,000 sq. km while its population crosses 16,777,500 (as of the 2013 census). Malawi is popularly called “The Warm Heart of Africa”. Although its economy is not on the floor, Malawi is home to many scenic natural attractions like eye-catching landscape, epris lakes, winsome hills and fascinating wildlife sanctuaries.

History of Malawi:

Malawi takes its name from the Nyanja people, who are native to Malawi and were earlier called the Maravi. According to the archeological findings, Bantu-speaking people were the first known settlers of Malawi, who migrated to Malawi around the 10th century. As like the most African countries, Malawi had also seen the reign of the European powers and the British occupied the region Nyasaland what is today’s Malawi in 1891 and ruled until 1964 when the Malawi’s independence was proclaimed and renamed to its present name.

How to reach Malawi?

The Lilongwe International Airport is the gateway for Malawi, situated around 30 km north of the heart of Lilongwe. The airport handles flights from Addis Ababa, Lusaka, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Blantyre, Likoma, Mfuwe, Lusaka, Harare and many other African destinations.

The road transportation of Malawi is expanded to all over the country, served by buses, minibuses and rental vehicles.

By train, Malawi is linked to the cities of Cuamba and Nampula in Mozambique, departing from the 2^nd largest city of the country, Blantyre.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Malawi:

Chichewa is the official as well as a widely spoken language in Malawi while Chewa people cover the great percentage of the country’s population, nearly 33%.

Kwacha is the currency used in Malawi. Wood and soapstone carvings, textiles and potteries are the purchasable items in Malawi. When comes to food, Nsima is a popular fish in Malawi.

Places of interest in Malawi:

Lake Malawi National Park:

UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake Malawi National Park is situated at the southern tip of the Lake Malawi, having a status of the only national park of Malawi established with the purpose of protecting fish and aquatic habitats and it also features many small islands in Lake Malawi, around 800 years old huge baobab tree and typical animal species, Baboons.

Chongoni Rock Art Area:

The Chongoni Rock Art Area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprising around 127 sites that are dotted in the forested hills of the Malawi plateau showcasing the Late Stone Age and the Iron Age periods’ rock art and paintings. This distinct site is located in Dedza District in the Central region of Malwai.

Liwonde National Park:

Founded in the year 1973, the Liwonde National Park is located in the southern portion of Malawi, covering a total area of 548 km². Other than 400 species of bird, the park is home to a wide range of animals, including elephants, buffalos and crocodiles.

Lake Chilwa:

The Lake Chilwa spans over a surface area of 600 km², making it the Malawi’s second largest lake. It is situated in the Zomba District, measuring a length of 60 km and width of 40 km. It is home to around 1.5 million of water bird population.

Kasungu National Park:

Situated around 170 km from Lilongwe, the Kasungu National Park is the Malawi’s second largest national park with an area of 2,316 km². It is very well known for bird watching, which can be enjoyed between June and September.

List of other places of interest in Malawi includes:

• Nyika National Park
• Kasungu National Park
• Viphya Forest
• Chichiri Museum
• Mount Soche
• Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve
• Nkhotakota Game Reserve

Best time to visit Malawi:

Malawi generally experiences a tropical climate with rainy season from November to April while the rest of the year relatively receives no rainfall. The best time visit Malawi to explore its natural beauties from May to October.

Accommodation options in Malawi:

Although star rated hotels limited in number, Malawi houses many typical traditional accommodation options like lodges, guest houses and camping sites that serve visitors with the blend of traditional and modern facilities and services to make visitors’ tour memorable. List of the prominent hotels in Lilongwe in Malawi include:

• Crossroads Hotel
• Sunbird Capital
• Sunbird Lilongwe
• Pacific Hotel
• Korea Garden Lodge
• Riverside Hotel & Conference Centre
• Kiboko Town Hotel
• Heuglin’s Lodge Lilongwe
• Burley House
• Wendels Guest House
• Golden Peacock Hotel
• Ufulu Gardens
• Kalikuti Hotel
• Cluny Lodge
• Africa House Malawi

The post Malawi Tourist Places to Visit in Malawi, Southern Africa, Africa appeared first on MustVisitPlace.com.

Blantyre is one of the prominent cities of the southern African country, Malawi, located around 360 km south-southeast of the country’s capital and largest city, Lilongwe. It is the administrative centre of Blantyre District and Southern Region of Malawi. Blantyre is considered as the commercial hub of Malawi, holding the headquarters of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, the Supreme Court of Malawi and the University of Malawi. When comes to tourism, Blantyre is famous for its historical structures like the Mandala House and St Michael and All Angels Church,.

Blantyre lies at an elevation of 1,039 meters, covering a total area of 228 sq. km and its geographical coordinates are 15°47′10″ S 35°0′21″ E.

History of Blantyre:

The history of Blantyre dates back to 1876 when it was originally founded with the same name assigned to a town in Scotland. Blantyre came under British consular in 1883 and two years after this, gained municipal status in 1895, which made Blantyre as the oldest municipality of Malawi.

Getting Blantyre:

Blantyre hosts an international airport, named Chileka International Airport, is located around 16 km away from centre of the city of Blantyre. This airport operates flights from and to Johannesburg, Beira, Harare, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Tete and Nairobi.

The bus transportation of Blantyre extends to all the major cities of Malawi, including the national capital, Lilongwe.

The local transportation of Blantyre is catered by buses, minibuses and rental cars.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Blantyre:

Blantyre is a colorful city, having rich cultural features, which are showcased by the cultural centres in the city like La Caverna Art Gallery and Museum of Malawi.

Chichiri Shopping Center is a famous modern shopping option in Blantyre while traditional, especially Indian shops can be found at downtown area of Blantyre.

Here are famous midrange restaurants in Blantyre:

• Aub’s Steakhouse
• Blue Savannah
• Baba Delhi Darbar
• Alem Ethiopian Restaurant

Things to do in Blantyre:

• The Responsible Safari Company tours
• Shopping
• Visiting museums

Tourist Attractions in Blantyre:

Mandala House:

The Mandala House is one of the oldest structures of Blantyre, situated atop of hill. Currently it houses the La Caverna Art Gallery and café. The museum showcases a great collection of carvings and pictures displaying the local culture. It is open from 8:30am to 4:15pm (Monday – Friday).

St Michael and All Angels Church:

The St Michael and All Angels Church was constructed during the foundation of Blantyre, may be around 1876 and was designed by a Scottish missionary with the aid of natives. The church is still good condition, attracting both devotees and tourists.

Chichiri Museum:

The Chichiri Museum or Museum of Malawi is a renonwe museum Blantyre, exhibiting the importance of Blantyre’s culture and history. It is also one of the major landmarks of the city.

Chichiri Shopping Center:

The Chichiri Shopping Center is the largest mall of Blantyre, facilitating with a wide range of shopping, restaurant and entertainment options. There are also bank with ATM’s.

Other attractive places in Blantyre include:

• Mount Mulanje
• The Way of the Cross
• Liwonde National Park
• Chifundo Artisan’s Network Art Studio Shop
• Lengwe National Park

When to visit Blantyre?

Blantyre features a humid subtropical-highland climate with dry season is from May to October (the best time to visit Blantyre) and rainy season from November to April.

Hotels in Blantyre:

Blantyre boasts around 30 upgraded accommodation centres hotels, vacation rentals, BB and inns of which most accept credit cards and offer advance booking facility through online for visitors’ convenience. Some top end hotels in Blantyre in Malawi are provided below:

• Sunbird Mount Soche
• Protea Hotel Ryalls
• Hostellerie de France
• Villa 33
• Casa Mia Lodge & Restaurant
• Leslie Lodge
• Pedro’s Lodge
• Mount Pleasant Inn
• The Namiwawa Blantyre
• Annie’s Lodge Blantyre
• Studios de France
• Top Lodge
• Hotel Victoria
• Malawi Sun Hotel & Conference Centre
• Shire Highlands Hotel

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