Malawi

Border ZM/MW

Monday, January 28 I presented myself to the border post of Zambia, I were alone the procedure was fast, exit stamp on my passport then detachment of the exportation voucher of the CPD and stamp on the counterfoil. A little further at the border post of Malawi, here, always alone, I gave my passport at the office of immigration to receive the 30 days visa by paying US$75. At the following office the customs took the CPD to fill the importation voucher and to stamp the counterfoil by paying US$51 of Toll Fee Clearance. This procedure was carried out with much benevolence. I left the border area around 10:00 to arrive at Lilongwe a little after 12:00 at City Mall.

Lilongwe, Mabuya Camp

I had three objectives, to make supply in food, to buy a SIM card and to take cash at a ATM. The local supermarket, Chipiku Plus, offer all the desirable food paid with the visa card. The purchase of the SIM card was significantly longer, nearly two hours of a queue at Airtel where the SIM card is payable in cash. My bank cards, Master and Visa were refused by two banks, only Standard Bank accepted them. Finally I arrived at Mabuya Camp around 15:00 right before a torrential tropical rain fell down. I remained two nights there.

Blantyre, Wenela, Wenela Lodge & Camp

Wednesday, January 31 the way from Lilongwe to Blantyre crosses landscapes corrugated and green cultivated with food plants in particular corn. The populous villages and are bordered with gravers selling of the products of the firm neighborhoods. I found a bivouac behind the bus stopping at approximately 1050 meters of altitude.

Majete Wildlife Resreve

Thursday, January 31 I traversed the 64 km from Blantyre to Majete Wildlife Reserve in 2:00 in a landscape of rolling mountains. Altitude fell from 1050 meters to 142 meters and the temperature went up correlatively. The last 15 kilometers were covered with corrugated and pot-holes. At the reception of the park after the entry formalities I learned that I was the only visitor. Indeed the park was covered with foliage making very difficult the view of the wild animals. As of 08:30 I traversed it until 12:30 without to have seen the Big Five. I returned to the reception of the park to install me in the camp-site.

Friday, February 1 I left drive out for pictures as of 6:00 with a very weak luminosity due to in particular the density of the foliage. I traversed approximately 40 km on the practicable tracks in 6:00 of clock. The harvest was not exceptional; three giraffes, two elephants, some zebras and four hippopotamuses with of course of the omnipresent impalas, Kudus and monkeys but no lion, leopard and other rhinoceroses and buffaloes. I am very disappointed; that does not forecast anything good for my visit in the next week in Liwonde National Park.

click on the pic for opening the gallery

Zomba Plateau, Kuchawe Trout Farm

Saturday, February 2 before leaving Majete Wildlife Reserve I for the last time tried my chance to see some of Big Five by traversing the track along Nyala River. Not only I was not lucky but in more the traversed track the day before was blocked by a tree fallen transversely; I was obliged to turn back. I gave up Majete to go to Liwonde National Park by making a stop in Zomba Plateau at +1500 meters of altitude, to be in cool temperature. Admittedly but the rain appeared. I bivouacked in the rustic Kuchawe Trout Farm.

Liwonde National Park, Liwonde Safari Lodge

Sunday, February 3 I went down from Zomba Plateau in the clouds to go to Liwonde National Park knowing that little tracks would be open. Indeed while being able at the entrance of park the ranger informed me that the only practicable track makes 10 km go and 10 km return. Despite everything I entered to see. I lucky because I was been pleased to see three cheetahs in the forest hidden by the foliage. Happy I went to Liwonde Safari Lodge. In end of the afternoon the rain was invited.

click on the pic for opening the gallery