Climate/Seasons :

Malawi is a tropical country located in the southern hemisphere with seasons reversed to that of many visitors. Salima is however some 14 degrees south of the equator (some 1500 kilometres) and June and July can be cool - even on the lakeshore.

Scenery :

The best time for landscape or lake-scene photography is from towards the end of March to the end of May. The rains cease within this period resulting in a crystal clear atmosphere enabling distant hills or shores or islands to be seen clearly. And everywhere is verdant and green. ‘National Geographic’ type cloud formations prevail and the temperature is not as hot as during the months of September to December. Visits to Zambia national parks can take place at this time but game tends to be scattered due to the abundance of water everywhere. June and July are Malawi’s coolest months – August is when temperatures start to rise.

Best months to visit :

September to December are the months favoured by most cichlid fans and enthusiasts. The landscape will be burnt brown by the sun and haze will obscure distant landscape features. However the fishes will be in colour – the lake will be getting warmer progressively – and this assists in diving and snorkeling expeditions. And unpleasant south easterly ‘blows’ will have been replaced by less strong winds from the north – much easier to contend with. By the middle of November the first scattered rains may have taken place but these are usually of a sporadic nature and the country will start sprouting new greenery and again bring in clear views everywhere. For big-game enthusiasts thinking of Zambia’s South Luangwa Valley the months of September to end-October are less really hot than November. Other months: April and May are pleasant - with less heat - and the landscape is still fresh and green.

Rainy season visits are possible !

January rains can be unpredictable – with many intervening sunny days and periods. Even the main rainy month of February can have its breaks and the lake acquires a different character in these first three months of the year… Lake photos taken at this time can have a unique pastel or limpid image – quite different from photos taken in the hot dry season. Although intermittent rain downpours can be irritating the lake itself is usually extremely calm – enabling lengthy boat journeys to be undertaken without fear of unpleasant south easterly ‘blows’. In summary the rainy season January to March can have its decidedly good points if it is accepted that a few days may be lost by heavy rains. Some academic researchers annually visit Malawi within this period and satisfactorily achieve their objectives - rainy season notwithstanding.

Access from Lilongwe Airport :

From Lilongwe airport to Kambiri Point is 110 kilometers on an excellent newly paved road. The journey takes one and a half hours and is easy to follow.

Malawi souvenirs :

Malawi carvers make attractive wooden items of a wide range and variety. Custom-made specialities can be arranged with prior negotiation. A wide selection of these carvings is only 5 kilometres from Kambiri Point near to the Salima airfield. Bargaining is required and called for! Paragon Pottery near Dedza makes local ceramics and these are available in Lilongwe stores. More detailed and a wider range of souvenirs can be seen at Mua Roman Catholic Mission some 65 kilometres south of Salima town. A tour of this interesting mission is worthwhile – a charge is made of USD5 per person.

Other websites :

For other information on Africa in general, the website Africaguide.com is recommended and there is also further detail on Malawi at Malawiholiday.com

Books :  Spectrun Guide to MALAWI - INTERLINK BOOKS - ISBN 1 - 56656-396-8   A guide to Malawi - th first American edition was published in 2003 by Interlink Books. www.interlinkbooks.com   e-mail info@interlinkbooks.com   384 pages.