tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978358719184615612024-11-20T23:32:38.706+00:00All About Malawi blogAll About Malawi is a blog that answers all the questions you have about travelling, visiting and living in Malawi. All About Malawi blog covers Malawian Geography, Food and Drink, Sociodemographic factors, Medicine, Language, Arts and Crafts, Tourism and Charities.Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-92187984625884316862011-02-04T20:48:00.001+00:002011-02-04T20:54:56.142+00:00To fart or not to fart: That's Malawi's burning questionWow. And there are those that think Malawi is slightly backward when it comes to the rule of law and the local court system - well the doubters have sadly been proved right with the latest debacle going on in Malawi's parliament.
So what are the facts?
George Chaponda, Malawi's justice minister: George is aiming to pass a bill, part of which criminalises passing wind in public toTeam Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-29185625854181141842011-01-01T19:00:00.001+00:002011-01-01T19:02:42.842+00:007 Names You're Likely to Hear in MalawiI recently had an email through from http://www.experiencemalawi.com/ from someone who was wanting to know a few ideas for Malawian names, this got me thinking about the names Malawians give their children, and so I thought I'd blog it! So here's my take on 7 names you'd be surprised to hear in Malawi.
1. Loveness
One of the stranger names I've heard, Loveness seems to be a Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-37392274759722807872010-11-28T18:00:00.007+00:002010-12-08T12:07:19.441+00:008 top tips for travelling with a baby to MalawiI recently took my 7 month old daughter to Malawi for a couple of weeks, and since our return, I've had a few people ask me how we coped with such a young baby on the plane, in the heat, and with all sorts of creepy crawlies etc out to do her harm.
So here is my list of 8 top tips for travelling with a young child to Africa!
1. Be preparedI've borrowed the scout motto for this one. The most Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-28015393416277474122010-10-17T14:00:00.000+01:002010-10-17T14:00:17.039+01:00Karonga story: The recent earthquakes in Malawi This post takes a more serious look at some of the real life situations of local Malawians living in the aftermath of the recent earthquakes in the Northern region of Malawi.
Karonga seems to have borne the brunt of the damage when the earthquakes hit the region last year, and although international aid was quick to arrive, some of the poorer villages are still in a bad way. One of these Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-20955055566859210732010-10-09T16:15:00.002+01:002010-10-09T20:42:02.974+01:005 things you need to know how to say in Chewa (the official language of Malawi)!Malawi is a country made up of many different tribes, all of whom have slightly different languages. The differences aree most pronounced as you travel from North to South - as you go from Nkonde in the very north, to Tumbuka in the North, to Tonga on the lake shore around Nkhata Bay and Sambani Lodge, and then Chewa as you go further South.
The good news is, the national language of Malawi is Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-30790583554723773222010-09-28T21:02:00.000+01:002010-09-28T21:02:19.110+01:00Top 12 unmissable places to visit in MalawiI'm often asked what things are not to be missed by friends travelling to Malawi, so I've pulled all my tips together into a single post.
Here are my top 12 unmissable places to visit in Malawi.
1. Mount Mulanje
Mount Mulanje is Malawi's highest peak. Situated in the Southern region above the town of Mulanje, climbing/hiking tours can be arranged, which generally take several days, camping Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-26820896374569445422010-09-04T09:51:00.001+01:002010-09-04T09:51:40.082+01:00Guest Blog: My first taste of Malawi by Emma LangleyNick: I'd like to introduce a friend who has very kindly agreed to share her experiences of travelling in Malawi as a young, single female traveller. Huge thanks to Emma Langley for this post:
My first taste of Malawian hospitality came before I’d even got outside Lilongwe airport.
I’d bonded with two strangers on the aeroplane over our two particularly tremulous flights from London: two Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-16010009387327052872010-08-16T08:45:00.004+01:002010-08-16T19:28:01.613+01:00Top 10 items you need to pack for a trip to MalawiSo, you have your trip booked, great - and you've weighed up the different flight providers, excellent - but what are you going to pack in your 23kg (46kg if you're flying Ethiopian) of luggage space?
I've compiled a list of 'must have' luggage items for your trip to Malawi, whether you are just staying in Lilongwe, or travelling up to the Northern region (and Sambani Lodge!) Or even into Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-49196404495701591922010-08-03T16:02:00.000+01:002010-08-03T16:02:07.126+01:00What's the cheapest way to fly to Malawi from London?Malawi as a holiday destination can be pretty cheap once you're there, but what airlines fly to Malawi from London, what's the cheapest way to get there, and what do you trade off with a cheap flight?
Which airlines fly has been a bone of contention for some time as there used to be direct flights to Malawi with British Airways, which were brilliant. However these flights were stopped around Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-75163503221335393362010-03-11T15:34:00.000+00:002010-03-11T15:34:22.009+00:00Welcome to Tione Andrews - the new addition to the Malawi familyA special post this week to introduce you to the newest addition to the Malawian family - Tione Isabella Andrews.
Born on 17 February 2010 in St. Thomas' hospital, London, directly opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, and weighing a very respectable 6lbs 11oz.
In spite of a forceps delivery, a touch of jaundice and a night in a plastic hospital cot, Nick and Ulele's daughter is doing Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-62134063351724158762009-12-29T13:20:00.001+00:002009-12-29T13:21:22.589+00:00Malawi national parks and game reserves: SizesThere are five national parks and four wildlife reserves in Malawi, each differs in size and location.
The National Parks are:
Nyika National Park
Area: 3,134 km2
Kasungu National Park
Area: 2,316 km2
Lake Malawi National Park
Area: 94 km2
Liwonde National Park
Area: 538 km2
Lengwe National Park
Area: 887 km2
The Wildlife / Game Reserves are:
Vwaza Marsh Wildlife ReserveTeam Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-61103905738905450202009-12-20T09:53:00.017+00:002010-01-24T12:30:52.735+00:00How to make bricks: A Malawi brick-making masterclassBricks in Malawi are hand-made from the clay soil that makes up much of the composition of the land throughout the country. I've been away for a while, you know how the Christmas and New Year goes, anyway, here is the latest blog post on how to make bricks in Malawi.
Preparation for making bricks in Malawi:
Most people in Malawi who can afford it, build using bricks. These are made manually, Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-54648883930607882072009-12-18T14:00:00.002+00:002009-12-18T14:00:04.658+00:00Travellers Tales: Transport in MalawiA post on travelling in Malawi from a recent visitor.
Many people in Malawi don’t have access to their own transport and there is no public transport as such. This means that some people will walk for miles and miles in order to get to the nearest town, school or even hospital.
However, if you stand on the side of the road (and you have a good idea of where you need to go), you can hop onto Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-90209496214277905922009-12-13T11:35:00.000+00:002009-12-13T11:35:58.539+00:00Earthquakes in Malawi: December 2009A quick overview of the fragmented press coverage on the earthquakes in Karonga District in Malawi in December 2009.
A series of earthquakes and tremors hit Karonga District, in the Northern region of Malawi between Sunday 6th and Tuesday 8th December 2009.
The Facts:
Magnitude of Earthquake: 5.9 on Richter Scale
Depth: 10km
Region: Northern Region - Karonga District
Population: Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-2077712495943547432009-12-11T16:19:00.001+00:002009-12-11T16:19:00.145+00:00Customs, Etiquette and Manners in MalawiThis post will cover a few basic rules of culture, manners and etiquette in Malawi.
As a foreigner, you will be observed by most Malawians, especially in the more rural areas as rather strange, with lots of money and some odd habits. There are of course customs and etiquette that should be observed, not least to surprise those Malawians you come into contact with.
Here are some general musingsTeam Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-12522726283844416792009-12-04T11:39:00.003+00:002009-12-04T11:39:00.502+00:00Natural Phenomenon: Lake fly plumes on Lake MalawiOne of the most amazing phenomenon in the natural world happens on Lake Malawi.
Imagine thousands and thousands of flies, all hatching at once in the middle of a huge, open expanse of freshwater...rising up from the lake in huge plumes, like smoke in the distance.
If you can't imagine what that would look like, here are a few pictures to show you this amazing natural sight:
The plumes attractTeam Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-58786982911942392102009-11-27T12:45:00.001+00:002009-11-27T12:45:01.815+00:00What women wear in Malawi: A eulogy to the ChitenjeA question I quite often get asked is what clothing do women wear in Malawi, or what is the traditional Malawi dress.
The most commonly worn item of clothing by women in Malawi is the Chitenje (also known as a Kitenge in Tanzania and Kenya).
Here is a eulogy to the Chitenje in Malawi.
What is a Chitenje
A chitenje is a rectangle of fabric (generally 2 x 1 metres) worn by women Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-80998664958036740372009-11-20T15:42:00.002+00:002009-11-22T15:30:16.514+00:00Zomba: in-depthZomba - an overview of one of the prettiest cities in Malawi
Zomba is situated in the southern region of Malawi and used to be the capital of Malawi, before it went to Lilongwe. It has many old colonial buildings, a memento of Malawi's colonial past. There is a botanical gardens in the centre of town with a number of indiginous and exotic trees and plants, which is worth seeing if you are Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-16809942911793204432009-11-13T12:30:00.003+00:002009-11-22T15:08:08.784+00:00Tobacco in MalawiTobacco is the main export for Malawi.
Much of the tobacco in Malawi is produced on large estates, but there are many small holders who produce some tobacco to sell at auction each year. Small farms tend to diversify their crops and often grow a few tobacco plants, alongside other cash and subsistence crops.
The auction houses are in Limbe, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, and the auctions often take Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-17700113649471064652009-11-06T15:01:00.001+00:002009-11-22T15:03:16.203+00:00Cannabis in MalawiA very short post about cannabis in Malawi.
Cannabis is widely grown along the lakeshore to produce hemp for fishermen's nets. It is of course now sold as Malawi Gold to tourists and backpackers. As it is quite accessible, and very freely available, there are some incidences where it is even used by some schoolchildren, which results in behavioural problems.
Buying and selling cannabis Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-63706197423549389702009-10-30T12:30:00.000+00:002009-10-30T12:30:03.173+00:00Education in MalawiA short overview on education in Malawi.Nursery education:Nursery education is extremely limited in Malawi - the government is now trying to improve this and is investing in building pre-schools, certainly in the cities. There are, of course, private nurseries for those that value education and have the money to pay for it.Primary education:Primary education in Malawi is supposed to begin at 5 Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-73906855872593662432009-10-23T15:34:00.007+01:002009-10-23T15:34:00.112+01:00Bilharzia in Lake MalawiLake Malawi is one of the biggest bodies of freshwater in Africa, and a beautiful place to visit. There are however parts of the lake where swimming is not recommended, which are predominantly in the far north and far south of the country. This is due to Bilharzia, a disease contracted from snails, that plagues small areas of the Malawi lakeshore.Adhering to the following simple guidelines will Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-45194073473725569342009-10-19T08:15:00.001+01:002009-11-22T15:28:09.065+00:00Travelling from Lilongwe to MzuzuI have been asked quite often the best way to get from Lilongwe, Malawi's capital, to Mzuzu, so thought I would post the options below:
Taxi: Easily the quickest way! costs about £90 and gets you there in under 3 hours
Minibus: Seen by some as the only way to travel in Africa, let alone Malawi, can be dangerous but cheap and fun (if you don't mind the chickens under your seat...)
Coach: Not Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-82272204908934670252009-10-15T09:30:00.001+01:002009-10-15T09:30:00.735+01:00Nsima - The staple food of MalawiThe staple food of malawi is Nsima.Nsima is cooked, ground, white maize flour that is used as the stodge for the majority of malawian meals. The maize can either:a) be ground by the family who take the dry maize kernels (sweetcorn to you and I) and then pound it with a huge pestle and mortar (most likely made of wood).b) be bought from a shop where a more industrial process has mass produced the Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-97835871918461561.post-87268268183470184562009-10-10T10:46:00.002+01:002009-11-22T15:26:34.480+00:00The Capsized Sugar TruckQuite a random and funny story.
We were on our way up the Coastal road from Lilongwe to Sambani Lodge when we rounded a bend to find an upturned truck lying across the road (driver looking dazed but fine) and the sugary contents of his cargo strewn across the road.
The thing that really struck me was the frenzied activity of the local people who were running from far and wide to sweep up great Team Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750296485417554438noreply@blogger.com0