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Nyika National Park
Largest and oldest National Park in Malawi. It has a unique plateau, which is perfect for game drives and horseback safaris, as well as walks through the short grass. One of the most popular ways to see the region is to set out on a ten day Malawi Horse Safari. Nyika Plateau has streams and dams stocked with trout and visitors can enjoy fishing, see waterfalls and even take a trip to a magic lake. While the park is not home to the Big Five, animals such as Eland, Zebra, Roan, Waterbuck and smaller antelope as well can be seen
Nyika National Park has the highest concentration of Leopard in Central Africa. Elephant and Rhino live on the lower ground. On night drives various animals can be seen, including Hyena, Jackal and Owls or maybe even a shy Leopard. There is a small airstrip near Chelinda Camp for access by air, otherwise the drive from Rumphi is uncomplicated and a 4x4 vehicle is a must during the rainy season.
Liwonde National Park
Located in the south of Malawi with the Shire River on its border, Liwonde National Park is considered to be Malawi's premier park. This Malawi National Park has fabulous scenery and is well managed. Animal stocks include large numbers of interesting animals such as a Hippos and Crocodiles, herds (in their hundreds) of Elephant, Zebra and other antelope which come down to the water to drink. There are only 2 types of accommodation in Liwonde National Park, camps and lodges. Visitors should be aware that Hippos often come up onto the lawns to feed at night. Expert guides take visitors on guided walks, boat trips and also night drives. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and their bush lore is fascinating, as they give guests an insight into the lives of many animals.
However, arriving by boat is the way to go, visitors can park near the jetty on the opposite side, raise the red flag provided and staff from the camp will come across the water to make the transfer.
Lake Malawi National Park
The Lake Malawi National Park incorporates the beautiful Cape Maclear, a World Heritage Site. The park lies in the south of the country, and is the world's first freshwater park. It includes the land area around the cape and bay, as well as the Lake and islands as far as 100m offshore. These waters are an absolute delight for snorkeling enthusiasts. There is also boating and canoeing on offer. There are 600 species of the colourful Malawi Cichlids, which are endemic here. This diversity of freshwater fish is unequalled in the entire world. The abundant freshwater fish will feed directly from your hand while snorkeling in Lake Malawi.
In the surrounding areas, various animals and birds can be found, There are a number of excellent places to stay, all of which offer many exciting activities. There are even some beautiful romantic island hideaways.
Kasungu National Park
Kasungu is Malawi's second largest National Park after Nyika and is located in the central region of the country. The landscape covers 2 000km and consists of woodland and bush, grassland and rolling hills, with a small lake and a wide marshy river course. Hippos are established at the lake and some Elephants remained after serious poaching.Buffalo, Zebra, Leopard, Jackal and antelope are available to spice visitors experience in addition to a wide variety of birds. Due to recent efforts, animal stocks and the accessibility of the Park have been improved, and it can now be toured in regular vehicles. There is a lodge in the Park offering game drives and guided walks. Kasungu is only 160km (100 miles) from Lilongwe. The park also has many important Iron Age archaeological sites.
Majete Wildlife Reserve
Proclaimed in 1955 as fast becoming one of the most beautiful parks in Malawi, where in 2003 it took on a new lease of life and become a Big Five reserve. Located southwest of Blantyre in the Lower Shire Valley in southern Malawi.
It offers a wide variety of activities, including elephant tracking, and visitors can also learn about the culture around Majete and visit a local village.
The Reserve has boosted the animal stocks considerably such as Black Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo, Zebra, Hartebeest and many antelope species including Kudu and Roan can be found here. Another major attraction of Majete is the Kapichira Falls, with stunning views and rock formations worn and created over thousands of years.
Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve
The government camp here closed down in 2007, and this may be the reason the reserve is not more popular, but it is a rewarding experience because of the stunning scenery and high concentration of game. There are private lodges nearby where guests can stay. This reserve lies in the north of the country on the Zambian border, and is a backpacker's delight. It is very accessible from Rumphi by car or public transport. There are wonderful walks around Lake Kazuni (you must be accompanied by a game ranger) as well as 4x4 trails around the reserve. Animals resident around the lake include: many Hippos, Elephant and Buffalo. Many other smaller animals can also be seen, and the birdlife is excellent, with around 300 species recorded in the reserve.
Museums and Monuments
Public museums were established through an Ordinance in May, 1957.
The Nyasaland Society (now called Society of Malawi) was instrumental to its establishment. In 2017, the Department of
Museums and Monuments was created by government which brought together the former Museums of Malawi and the former
Department of Antiquities. Currently, it is this department that runs museums in the country.
Top Mandala Museum
It was the first public museum and 2009 was organized in a two storey building known as the “OLD MANDALA MESS”, Leased from the African Lakes Corporation (Mandala). It opened its doors in July, 1960.
Exhibition theme was a ‘general’ one based on displays of natural history, ethnography, history and archaeology. -It was opened to the public in July 1960.
This was the first purpose built museum building constructed at Chichiri Hill in Blantyre in 1965.
Officially opened in June 1966 and has one main exhibition hall where displays of natural history, ethnography, history and archaeology are exhibited.
It also features open air exhibits among which are a traditional hut (ndiwula), Iron ore Smelting Furnace and a collection of engines and relics built around 1890’s.
It is the main centre for cultural activities.
This museum was established by the Society of Malawi in old Gymkhana Club in 1971.
It was eventually handed over to the Museum Trustees in 1976
This made the name of Museum of Malawi change to pluralism hence Museums of Malawi as the establishment was then called.
Exhibition theme for this museum is‘’The people of the Lake and Their Environment”.
It is divided into four section: The natural history section, the history, archaeology and ethnography, Lake Malawi steamer transport and the aquarium.
Very outstanding on its display is a dummy of the Guendolen gunboat. The gun boat displays original navigation equipment. It began operations in 1899.It is famous because in first world war on 13th August,1914 when it put out of action the German gunboat, Herman Von Wissmann on Lake Nyasa. News of this unprecedented event reached England during the early days of German advance into France and was headlined in the Times as “Naval history on Lake Nyasa.”
Mtengatenga Postal Hut Museum
This museum was restored from an old postal rest hut and organized into a functional wayside museum to depict the development of early postal services in Malawi.
The hut is situated at Namaka in Chiradzulu District, along the Chilembwe Highway midway between Blantyre and Zomba.
Before 1941, mail services in Malawi (Nyasaland that time) were carried out from one point to another on foot. The hut served as a rest hut as well as an exchange point for mail carriers operating between Blantyre and Zomba since Namaka was nearly the midpoint between Blantyre and Zomba approximately 70 kilometers apart.
The history of the hut has been of great interest to the local community who call the place “Mtokoma”.
This museum was first organized in rented premises of Chenda Mkandawire in the City of Mzuzu. It was later relocated to MPICO Building. Currently, the museum is in the IK Enterprises next to the Northern Region Government Building Complex, but the exhibition is yet to be mounted.
The project to set up this Museum began in 1985 and received financial assistance from the Canadian High Commission. The Museum was opened to the public (unofficially) in September 1990.
Exhibition theme is “Northern Malawi, The People and the Land”.
CultureMuseum Centre Karonga(CMCK) Museum is modelled on the public-private partnership between the Government of Malawi through the Department of Museums and Monuments and the Uraha Foundation Malawi, which was facilitated through donors such as European Union, GTZ, Press Trust and Uraha Foundation Germany.
CMCK is supported by the Town and District Council of Karonga, the chiefs and the people of Karonga district.
The Centre’s mission is to preserve and promote Karonga’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Exhibition theme is “From stone age to democracy”.
It houses fossils of Dinosaurs and early human and pre-historic remains which provide an insight into human origins and history of life on earth.
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