Malawi | Lilongwe | markt
There is plenty to see and do around the capital of Lilongwe. You might, for example, decide to go shopping for art at the market in Lilongwe, or take a drive along Dezda Mountain and visit Dezda Pottery, or to Mua Mission and visit the Kungoni Centre. You might also decide to go and view the rock paintings at Chongoni, or pay a visit to the relatively unknown Nkhotakota Game Reserve.
For a change, The Old Town of Lilongwe is not a mass of rectangular buildings, as is the case with many colonial settlements; on the contrary: it is a zigzag of cosy, rustic streets. However, it is advisable to use the services of a tour guide here or to buy a good map. You can purchase local art from the craft market at the post office, which is opposite Nico Centre. The walled market is also very interesting.
The Canadian missionary Father Claude Boucher Chisale set up the KuNgoni Centre of Culture & Art in Mua Mission in 1976. He dedicated his life to the study and preservation of Malawi's culture. What once began as an art cooperative has developed into a cultural centre consisting of a museum that depicts the culture of the Chewa, Ngoni and Yao; a workshop; and a new research centre and adjoining library.
Mua Mission is particularly famed for the wood cravings that are made and sold here at extremely reasonable prices.
On the road to Mua Mission you will drive past Dedza Mountain, which reaches 2200 metres into the sky and is covered with pines. Walking tours through the stunning nature will offer you unparalleled views across Lake Malawi. We also advise you to book an excursion to Dedza Pottery, which was set up in 1987 as a private business. Beautiful things are made here using techniques that are as environmentally friendly as possible.
Chongoni is slightly to the south of Dezda Mountain and has been added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites. The highest concentration of rock paintings in central Africa is to be found here, and is divided over around 200 sites in caves and on rocks. These provide insight into the relatively rare tradition of rock art by hunters and farmers. The oldest paintings date from the late Stone Ages and the youngest from the 20th century. The red rock paintings are the oldest and these usually depict geometric figures. The white rock paintings are more naturalistic, portraying animals and people.
If you travel southwards to Senga Bay you can pay a visit to the relatively unknown Nkhotakota Game Reserve.
You'll walk through long grasses to the low valley with an armed ranger, only to be completely taken aback by a breathtakingly beautiful river that meanders through the rocks and forms a stunning mini waterfall. Nkhotakota is crossed by a number of rivers that topple over the steep incline and flow into Lake Malawi. The largest part of the game reserve comprises miombo forests, which are variegated with grass plains and pockets of rainforest. This vast area covering 1800 km2 is as rugged as it is expansive and highly suitable for walking safaris, climbing or fishing.
The landscape in particular is very beautiful in Nkhotakota. You will also see buffaloes and crocodiles sunning themselves here, as well as some of the 130 different bird species that have been identified here.
