Blantyre is the main commercial and industrial centre and situated in the southern region of Malawi. It is named after Dr. Livingstone's birthplace in Scotland.

 

Blantyre has a number of historical buildings of interest. These include the original town hall (Old Boma) and Mandala House, built in 1882 as the headquarters of the African Lakes Company. It was Malawi's first two-story building and is believed now to be the country's oldest house.

 

Visits can also be made to the Museum of Malawi and Carlsberg Brewery, which lie between the two town centers (old & new), as well as the tobacco auction floors on the edge of Limbe. Both town centers have a good range of shops, markets and services. Blantyre-Limbe has its own international airport at Chileka.

Zomba, just 40miles north of Blantyre is the former capital of Malawi and seat of government. It is situated in a beautiful setting just below the Zomba Plateau which well worth a visit.

 

Vast tracts of cedar, pine and cypress are found but elsewhere the vegetation is wild and mixed. The plateau top is crisscrossed by streams and tumbling waterfalls and still lakes. There are drive-able tracks right round the top from which are views of splendid. Whether walking or driving, there is always something to see.

 

Wildlife includes leopards, although sightings are rare. More in evidence are giant butterflies and, on the lower slopes, baboons. Bird-life includes the long-crested eagle and the augur buzzard.

 

Fly-fishing for trout (in-season) and horse riding can be arranged.

Mount Mulanje: The scale of this truly magnificent mountain has to be seen to be appreciated. Its bare rock flanks tower to almost 3000m, dwarfing all that surrounds it.

 

It lies to the east of Blantyre and is easily accessible. Visitors can drive round the foot of the massif in a day but even more attractive is to trek and camp on the mountains. There are choices between quite gentle walking and serious climbing. Arrangement can be made to hire camping equipment and the services of guides.

Once on the mountain the vegetation changes with altitude and there’s plenty of wildlife from the klipspringer, a tiny antelope, to various other small mammals and, of course, a variety of birds. The latter include buzzard, the black eagle and countless white-necked ravens. Fishing for trout is possible in the River Lichenya which drains the south-western slopes.