The Southern Region
Malawi’s commercial capital and largest town was established at the end of the 19th century. It is really two towns: Blantyre and Limbe, joined by a development corridor. Visits can be made to the National Museum, to St Michael and All Angels Church (associated with Dr David Livingstone) and to Mandala House (the oldest European building in Malawi).
North of Blantyre is the university town and former capital, Zomba. Towering above the town is the 2100m- (6890ft-) Zomba Plateau with its vast forests and waterfalls. There is a newly rebuilt luxury hotel as well as lodges and two campsites. The views from the plateau are stunning and it is possible to drive around or walk on the plateau top. There is also a trout farm which is now rehabilitated and has a very nice picnic area.
Large tea estates, which offer accommodation, lie to the southeast of Thyolo, overshadowed by the magnificent Mulanje Massif, a huge block of mountains of more than 640 sq km (250 sq miles) rising to over 3000m (10,000ft) at its highest point at Sapitwa. For the tourist, Mulanje offers a wide variety of activities, from rock climbing and mountain walking to the more leisurely pursuit of trout fishing. Much of the massif is accessible and guides can be hired. Forest huts provide simple accommodation. Mulanje is best visited between April and November.
The Lower Shire Valley is different from the rest of the country, as it is low lying, hotter, and dominated by the great river which drains Lake Malawi. There are vast sugar plantations at Sucoma.
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