This is a simple argument for visiting Malawi. Many countries are beautiful of course. Malawi’s strength on this is that it is (i) very beautiful and (ii) that beauty has many aspects.

Lake Malawi is often described as probably or possibly the most beautiful lake in the world. Mulanje Mountain is also spectacular with so many different aspects to it's grandeur. Nyika Plateau is an altogether different mountain but also has another kind of mystical 'other world' beauty. Malawi’s attraction lies in it’s people, it’s language, the mountains, rivers, wildlife and stunning settings for those safaris on land, lake and river. 

To really begin to appreciate Malawi’s beauty you will have to consider other elements of the 30 reasons to visit Malawi. However, to start understanding why Malawi is beautiful first consider that it is within the Great Rift Valley. This is what gives Malawi it's great and beautiful lake and some of the landscapes combining escarpments, hills and...

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There are many reasons for visiting Malawi. It is the combination of reasons which makes such a strong case for Malawi. 

It's easier to market a country with one big spectacular fact or visitor attraction. However, in reality the interaction of factors makes or breaks a good case for whether somewhere is good to visit. This is something I've wanted to write about and so I am making a start with '30 Reasons to Visit Malawi'. It may only be a list, but it is a start. 

1.        It is a beautiful country
2.       Varied landscapes and lake views
3.       Compact with practical travelling distances
4.       It contains the most beautiful lake in the world
5.       It has ‘probably’ the best mountain in the world
6.       Warm and gentle people
7.       Away from the tourist crowds
8.       Fascinating history
9.       An ideal beginners introduction to Africa
10.     Spectacular tropical storms
11.     A hiker’s paradise
12.     The density of different bird species
13.     Safe...

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There are many reasons for visiting Malawi. It is the combination of reasons which makes such a strong case for Malawi. 

It's easier to market a country with one big spectacular fact or visitor attraction. However, in reality the interaction of factors makes or breaks a good case for whether somewhere is good to visit. This is something I've wanted to write about and so I am making a start with '30 Reasons to Visit Malawi'. It may only be a list, but it is a start. 

1.        It is a beautiful country
2.       Varied landscapes and lake views
3.       Compact with practical travelling distances
4.       It contains the most beautiful lake in the world
5.       It has ‘probably’ the best mountain in the world
6.       Warm and gentle people
7.       Away from the tourist crowds
8.       Fascinating history
9.       An ideal beginners introduction to Africa
10.     Spectacular tropical storms
11.     A hiker’s paradise
12.     The density of different bird species
13.     Safe...

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Majete makes a good day trip if you are not based too far away.

About an hour and a half from Blantyre there is a pool and restaurant just inside the entrance gate. As Majete is in a hot area of the country and considering that you are likely to go on a game drive; a drink and a swim upon arrival may be ideal. Below the pool and restaurant is a waterhole. After a dip we watched a waterbuck and a warthog cooling off. 

Also next to the entrance gate there is useful information as well as tasteful local products in the shop. When we arrived late in the morning I could see from the park entry book that were the first arrivals of the day..

Although in all likelihood there were overnight guests elsewhere, to have almost a whole National Park to yourself is a luxury that must be unusual in many other parts of the world. You may question my use of 'National Park' but in Malawi there is little difference in reality between what are called Wildlife Reserves  (or Game...

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While others race up as many peaks as possible I like to have an easier day after the tough ascent to the plateau of Mount Mulanje. While there are many great things to do on that great island in the sky one of my favourites is exploring the numerous streams, waterfalls and pools on that beautiful mountain. 

Some of the pools are very well known and close to the mountain huts and paths. Others are probably almost completely unexplored. The largest pool (not pictured) on the mountain has a length well beyond an olympic pool with a sandy island we camped on. The early morning first light view of the high peaks surrounding is quite beautiful. While it's the only pool I know up there will an island suitable for camping, other pools have sandy beaches.

The most rewarding experience can be finding pools during the exploratation of a stream. A determined walk upstream under over-hanging trees led to the emergence of a pool at the bottom of a high waterfall with steep...

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