The northern shores of
Lake Malawi are among the country's most beautiful and least visited.
The north is much less populated than the south and the beaches here
are far more remote. Miles of pristine white sand are interspersed
with jagged rock formations and charming fishing villages. Even the
President of Malawi agrees - he has a holiday home near Chitimba.
It’s also well within the tropics and the vegetation is greener
and thicker, providing a dramatic backdrop to the lake. The lake is
at its widest here, but on a clear day you can see Mozambique
80km away. Between Chitimba and Salima there are a number of simple
beachside resorts where days are whiled away horse riding along the
sand, diving or snorkelling in the lake, or simply swinging in a hammock.
Away from the lake, the north is characterized by great highlands,
including the impressive Nyika Plateau National Park, which has excellent
hiking, trekking and horse riding opportunities, and a surprising
amount of game. The historic Livingstonia Mission can be visited by
hiking up the Livingstone escarpment.
The regional centre for the north is the small town of Mzuzu through
which you will inevitably pass on the way to and from Tanzania.
It sits on the junction of Malawi’s lakeshore road and the main
north-south highway. Although it's hardly a great metropolis, it does have a
bank, a few food shops and a post office.
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