The Kwazulu-NatalProvince is a holidaymaker’s sub-tropical, beach and mountain paradise, the Kingdom of the Zulu has something for everyone set in magnificent natural beauty. Coast-to-coast the beaches and quaint villages attract sun worshippers who are drawn to the warm Indian ocean and all the pleasures it affords. Outdoor enthusiasts love to explore the two World Heritage sites, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, as well as the game parks and famous battlefields. Diverse cultures, from the San bushmen with their rock art, Zulu villagers with their fearsome warriors and colourful dancing maidens, Griqua trekkers with their pioneering spirit and Indian restaurateurs with their hot, sought-after curries, enrich the province with a wide variety of experiences to be had. With all this on its doorstep, it is no wonder that Durban has become the top convention destination in Africa – a veritable antithesis of the all work, no play philosophy.

CLIMATE:

Coastal areas enjoy a sub-tropical climate with sunshine year round, although rain storms can occur in summer. The humidity is lower in June and July, making it ideal times to visit. Weather is also warm and sunny for most of the year in the Drakensberg, but in winter night time temperatures can drop below freezing and snowfalls are not uncommon. At Sodwana Bay, a world-class diving destination, conditions are good throughout the year, but best from April through to September. Water temperatures here are usually above 20 degrees Celsius and in summer can reach 29 degrees Celsius. The Midlands is a summer rain fall area with warm, sunny summers and cold winters, with night time temperatures dropping below zero in parts.

SHOPPING:

Shopping is an elevated activity in KZN with entire routes dedicated to this pleasure. The Midlands Meander offers a wide variety of arts and crafts including pottery, sculptures and leather-work, ideally interspersed with stops at cosy inns for a taste of country fare and home-made brews with names like ‘Pickled Pig’ or ‘Pie Eyed Possum’. Ethnic Zulu pieces on the beaches, cultural villages and curio centres e.g. the Workshop include intricate beadwork, wood carvings, baskets and pottery. In Durban, the choices vary from luxury shopping mall merchandise to downtown Indian markets where you’ll find the best curry spices in the country and quality African craft items at the African Art Centre at Tourist Junction. Also visit the Heritage Market in Hillcrest for more local goods. Other places to shop include: Point Waterfront Fleamarket, The Pavillion, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, La Lucia Mall.

TOP ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:

uKhahlamba-Drakensberg:

Park A gigantic mountain range filled with eco treasures, this World Heritage Site also has outstanding cultural properties in the approx. 6000 San rock art sites showing the earliest specimens of rock art where colour and dimension were introduced. Many endemic and threatened species can be found here e.g. the Bearded Vulture and unique alpine vegetation occurs. Well-marked trails make the area a hiker’s paradise, other ideal outdoor activities include fly-fishing, rock-climbing, mountain biking, ice climbing, abseiling, paragliding, horseriding and 4×4 trails. Don’t miss the famous Amphitheatre, Cathedral Peak, Giant’s Castle, the second highest waterfall in the world – the Thukela Falls and the majestic Mnweni Valley in the north to central area. In the south, find 26 peaks that are higher than 10,000 feet (3050m).

Greater St Lucia Wetland:

Park A World Heritage Site that is one of the last remaining sub-tropical areas containing its original diverse components of wild plants and animals. Five interlinked ecosystems can be found including a marine system, coastal dune system, lake systems, swamps and an inland system of ancient shoreline terraces and dry savannah. Don’t miss whale watching and also visit Sodwana Bay, a world-class diving destination also popular with fishermen. Here the rare ‘fossil’ fish, the ceolacanth, thought to be extinct, was recently captured on video.

Durban & surrounds:

South Africa’s third-largest city, Durban is Africa’s most successful convention destination and its ‘Golden Mile’ beachfront offer magnificent swimming beaches and sports facilities. Apart from this, the city’s cultural mix offers excellent entertainment and shopping, from energetic Zulu dances to the famous hot Indian curries. Try a traditional rickshaw ride while exploring.

The Midlands:

Often compared with the Midlands in England, this area comprises wide open areas of green hills, lush pastures and extensive forests. Follow the Midlands Meander, a world-class arts & crafts cottage industry along a well-organised route and don’t miss Howick Falls. Ideal for outdoor activities including whitewater rafting, also features top sports events e.g. the Midmar Mile – the world’s biggest inland swimming race.

South Coast:

A string of small holiday towns cater for fun-lovers all year round. Excellent conditions for bathing, surfing, fishing, scuba diving and dolphin and whale watching. Also known for its golf holidays with over 12 golf courses.

North Coast:

Sea-side resorts set in King Shaka territory, famous for its bottle-nose dolphins. Ideal for bathing, surfing, skin and scuba diving, rock and skiboat fishing or exploring the rock pools.

Zululand’s Game Parks:

The biggest concentration of game parks in the province, with the big bushveld game reserves of Mkuze and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi main attractions. Apart from Big 5 game viewing (lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard and elephant), the reserves are also renowned for its birds, especially Mkhuze, hippo, crocodiles and giraffe. While in the area, don’t miss one of the traditional Zulu villages; in some you can even sleep over in beehive huts. In September, the annual Royal Reed Dance at the Royal Residency of King Goodwill Zwelithini in Nongoma must not be missed.

The Battlefields:

Rich in history, this province features the largest concentration of Boer, British and Zulu battlefields in southern Africa. Numerous sites and routes can be explored with Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Majuba, Spioenkop, Thalana and Blood River main battle sites that will be brought alive by the stories of a specialist tour guide.

Valley of 1000 Hills:

Starting approx. half an hour’s drive from Durban, a tourist route of craft shops, restaurants and magnificent scenery can be explored. Highlights include the PheZulu Safari Park for its Zulu warrior dancing, ethnic curios, bush drives, sangomas, crocodile and snake park; the 3-hour Choo Choo Train trip through the valley on the last Sunday of every month and the On Air raptor display, where you can watch raptors fly over the valley demonstrating their hunting techniques.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za

[tags]South African,Travel Tips,Kwazulu-Natal,Gerald Crawford[/tags]

One of the advantages of last minute travel bargains is obviously the money you will save. But there are so many other advantages that it’s easy to see why so many people are taking advantage of some of the fabulous places you can go on the spur of the moment.

Search Internet travel sites and you will find great deals to some of the worlds most luxurious romantic places like Montego Bay – warm, exciting – the perfect getaway. You?ll also find great deals traveling to major cities like San Francisco or New York. You’ll stay at three-star hotels and dine at the best restaurants. Or head for Los Angeles and splurge on the travel money you saved on the famous Rodeo Drive. Try an infamous burger at In-and-Out Burger. Although it is easier to find deals if you’re traveling as a couple or single, there are sites that offer “family deals,” so don’t be afraid to explore sites like Orbitz that offer family specials including trips to Disney, San Diego’s famous zoo and fun-filled aquatic park. Your entire family will reap the benefits of these last minute family travel bargains.

If living the nightlife is your thing, you’ll find special deals to Las Vegas, where you’ll stay at the four-star MGM Grand Hotel. The money you save will go a long way in one of the many casinos. You can save as much as 50% when you book a last minute travel deal. If you find a trip you like, don’t delay – these trips don’t last long. You have to be impulsive and just do it. You won’t be sorry.

Last Minute Travel provides detailed information on Last Minute Travel, Last Minute Travel Deals, Very Last Minute Travel Deals, Last Minute Travel Bargains and more. Last Minute Travel is affiliated with Ireland Travel Deals.

[tags]Last Minute Travel Bargains[/tags]

Oregon has some of the most beautiful hiking terrain in the country. Known for its wide topographical diversity, Oregon contains hiking trails through the desert, mountains, coasts, forests, and canyons. There’s probably no other state in the nation with as many hiking opportunities that boast the breathtaking scenery that can be found while hiking through Oregon.

Whetstone Ridge to Twin Lakes – found in Bull of the Woods Wilderness off of Oregon Highway 224, 26 miles southeast of Estacada
Walking through this western Cascade preserve, visitors will enjoy densely forested canyons, clear running streams, small lakes and view offering ridges. With over 27,400 acres of wilderness, hikers have a great chance of finding some privacy and quiet. The 9.2 mile round trip hike to Silver King Lake junction, or the 14.2 mile round trip hike to Upper Twin Lakes are both classified as moderate in difficulty. To reach Silver King Lake and return, hikers should reserve about four and a half hours. However, to make the trip to Upper Twin Lakes, travelers should schedule in about two days. The time to hike through the preserve is between late June and October although for the best sights that the hike has to offer, hikers should make the trip in mid July. A pair of small lakes awaits the weary traveler at the Upper Twin Lakes along with campsites and some fantastic views.

Triangulation Peak – 56 miles east of Salem on Highway 22
This easy two hour hike seems deceptive from the ground. Visitors mistake the dull looking peak as a good way to get some exercise. However, upon reaching the top, they realize their mistake. This 4.2 mile round trip journey extends a view to the towering peak of Mount Jefferson. The trail itself is also spectacular with Douglas firs, true firs, hemlocks and cedars bordering the walk along with abundant wildflowers, Huckleberries and beargrass.

Hanging Rock – Located in Coos County outside of Glendale, Oregon
Hikers looking for a jaw-dropping view at the end of the trail should consider Hanging Rock. It’s probably one of the state’s most incredible day hikes, but the trail sees few visitors. When hikers reach the turn around point on this journey, they will be standing atop an unbelievable overhang 3600 feet above the rapidly moving Rogue River. With a pair of binoculars hikers can see the white-water rafters in the river far below. If hikers choose the short route to Hanging Rock the total round trip distance is two miles, while the longer trek stretches into a four mile round trip journey.

Information on more great hiking trips, including a 41 mile trip around Mount Hood, is available on my website.

Barbara Pfieffer lives in beautiful Oregon State. http://www.vacation-in-oregon.com tells you all the fun things to do on vacation in Oregon, whether on the coast or visiting a casino. Visit http://www.vacation-in-oregon.com/oregon-hiking.html for more hiking trips to take in Oregon, including Mount Hood. Come visit Oregon, you’ll love it!

[tags]hiking, backpacking, mount hood, mountains, wildflowers, hiking trails, oregon hiking trips[/tags]

This beautiful Southeast Asian country welcomes you with a lovely traditional and touching statement “Selmat Datang.” Malaysia is a vibrant and exotic country which has abundance of cultural and technological prosperity. The diverse cultural heritage is complemented by the lush landscape, delicious foods and variety of modern and ancient festivals. Several Indian, Chinese and Malay festivals share the list of holidays in the country.

Traveling Malaysia will give an altogether different experience. The two distinct parts of Malaysia can be explored separately. The Peninsular part constitutes the land that touches the border of Thailand and Singapore in Asian continent. The least populated East Malaysian province Sabah and Sarawak are separated from the mainland by the South China Sea. You will encounter the dense jungles of Sabah and Sarawak with plethora of plants and Wildlife. Do visit the Mt. Kinabalu that stakes its claim as the highest peak in South East Asia.

The Peninsula Malaysia attracts most of the visitors in Malaysia. And it is all because of the diversity in terms of people, culture and activities. Visitors like to travel Malaysia because it offers a comprehensive platform of modernity and history to be explored. If you wish to spend your days in cooler climate, you can head towards the Highland regions. For beach and sand freaks, Langkawi is the popular choice. Eastern coast feature many places like Kelantan province that offers you a nice opportunity for exploring the Malay life. Kota Bahru comprises of best of artistic values. For quenching the historical interest, one can turn towards the western coast which features the capital city Kuala Lumpur.

For more information on malaysia visit: http://www.stayresmalaysia.com

Niraj Singh is working as Sr. SEO in Binary Semantics Ltd. Gurgaon, India. He has 5+ yrs. of experience in the field of Search Engine Optimisation. His expertise is in the travel domain make him specialist in the field of Websites related to Travels.

[tags]Malaysia Travel, travel Malaysia[/tags]

When you travel Australia, you aren’t just a straw-hatted, sandal-footed tourist daintily stepping out of your comfort zone. Of course, you can be like that, but once in Australia, you’ll realise soon enough that you want to be someone else braver.

To travel Australia is to be an explorer, brave, daring, uncompromising, and wide-eyed at every new thing that’ll come your way. To travel Australia is to loosen your belt and jump into the unknown. Here’s your itinerary, mate!:

Bungle Bungles
Simply beholding the Bungle Bungle in Purnululu National Park is both stupefying and ticklish to the senses. The Bungle Bungle is an unabashed waltz of orange and black stripes of silica and algae, flanked by beehive-like mounds posing with their chins up. A crazy but wondrous trick of geography. Bungle Bungle breathes new meaning to the word “marvelous.”

Daintree Rainforest
One of the oldest rainforest in the planet, the Daintree Rainforest is home to an inexhaustible number of plants and wildlife; 65% of Australia’s bat and butterfly population roam freely here. The Daintree Forest lies north of Cairn and spans some 1,200 square kilometres.

Tasmanian Wilderness
The Tasmanian Wilderness is as grand as its official name goes: Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Spanning 1.38 million hectares, it is one of the largest conservation reserves in Australia. Simultaneously, a true refuge, a playful temple, and solemn carnival of rare and endangered wildlife.

Fraser Island
When the camping bug strikes you, then head for Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world accessible by a ferry and a four-wheel drive. With its immaculately white pure silica beaches, incredibly pristine lakes, and stunning rainforests, Fraser Island is the perfect campsite. Don’ t forget to ask the locals about the legend of the island according to the aborigines!

So there! Eight miraculous and breathtaking places to dive into when you travel Australia. Don’t just get settled in Australia; go for the unsettling.

National Visas
Website: www.nationalvisas.com.au
E-mail: webmaster@nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3/118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61(0) 3 9697 4922
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9815 1544

[tags]australian immigration,australia immigration,australia visa,australian visa,australian working visa[/tags]

The weather patterns in Alaska can be extreme and quite unpredictable. You may be bathing in the sunlight for weeks before being blown out into the Pacific. The temperatures vary from a high of 100 degrees to a low of negative 80 degrees. Make sure you know what to expect depending on the month you choose to travel in.

June – August

The summer months are perhaps the most exciting time of the year. The sun shines nearly all day long here making for some very short nights. The sun energizes people as it refuses to go down. June 21st is the longest day of the year and it shines for 21 hours in Alaska that day. Even throughout the summer, you can expect some longer than normal daylight hours. June is the driest and the best month in the summer to travel. Alaska is generally warm depending on where you go. In the Arctic it is of course cooler than in the southern region. In the Artic, the snow could stick around until mid-June making for a cold and muddy experience up through the trails in the mountains. July is warmer than June is but not nearly as wet as in August. August is the rainiest time of the year so make sure to pack a raincoat and umbrella.

Summer does have one drawback while all the tourists flood to Alaska, high prices. The tourist industry has but 90 days to make all of the money they can to live on for that year. Working 3 months and having 9 months off pushes them to make as much money as possible and the higher the prices the better for them. July is the busiest travel month and this is where they make most of their money. From mid-June to mid-August is where the bulk of the tourists come to experience Alaska and it really drops off before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. Cruises are very popular from May to October.

May & September

These 2 months are still particularly good for travel. May is when the earlier tourists start flying in or coming in on cruises. By September, things are calming down and the remaining tourists are hoping to steal the last good deal of the year. May is warmer than September but this can vary. It depends greatly on where you travel. The farther north you go and the earlier in May you decide to travel; you will experience more chilly weather along with snow and mud. Alaska does not have a spring, they have a “breakup” where the snow and ice start to melt and cover everything with mud.

September can be a hit or miss month. You could experience warm and dry weather but the opposite is very true too. September can throw a foot and a half of rain on you while the sun barely peeks out. The weather patterns can be unpredictable but the sights could be the best if you catch it just right. The lights reflected from the snowy tundra and the boreal forest prompt an amazing display of bright, vivid colors in the sky.

October, November & April

These transition months take us from the busy summer months to the colder months in the winter. Tourists find little to do during this time. October is very wet and November is the start of winter however there is still not enough snow to ski or enjoy other winter activities. April is the end of winter when the snow melts and the mud forces many places to close.

December – March

The winter is the most exciting time of the year when anything that can be done with snow and ice is. February though mid-March is the peak of the winter where the sun gives you longer days. Many activities happen including skiing, snowmobile races, ice carving, snowshoeing, dog mushing and more. Winter is also the time for Anchorage’s Fur Rendezvous in February and Iditarod Dog Sled race in March.

Michael Russell

Your independent guide to Alaska

[tags]Alaska[/tags]

Whether you’re planning on teaching English in Mexico or are just traveling in Mexico, you still have to eat, don’t you? So here are some of my recommendations for eating out inexpensively in the Historic District of Mexico City.

Caf

A visa is an official stamp of the embassy or high commission of a country in an individual’s passport or traveling document officially authorizing him to travel to that country for a period of time stated on the visa for a specific purpose.

An individual may be denied entry into a country of which he has no valid visa to enter and may be repatriated if he manages to enter the country the country but later discovered.

Any person that satisfies the visa rules and regulations may be issued a visa. More often than not, people get denied visas not because they are not qualified for it, but because they fail to use simple knowledge to understand what a visa officer really requires from them. Below are suggestions of what to do before applying for a visa to a country with high visa-rejection rate:

Passport:

Is your passport virgin or not? 70 percent of your success in securing a visa from a high visa-rejection country depends on the answer to this question according to experts.
A virgin passport is one that has just been issued newly (or in earlier period) but has got no visa of any country in it. It means that either the bearer has not traveled out of the shores of his country of residence or that no country has found him worthy of being issued a visa etc.
A passport that has lost its virginity is the direct opposite of a virgin one. The bearer has probably been to many countries or that he has got one or more visas from other countries without having physically been to them. This means that those countries had confidence in him therefore issuing him the visas.

The important thing to learn is: for a higher visa success rate, never make a visa application to a high visa-rejection country with a virgin passport. If you do, the probability is having your passport stamped “visa refused” thereby discrediting your passport for future visa applications even in other countries’ embassies and of course, the visa fee is usually non-refundable.

You’d probably be thinking, “How do I get my passport ‘disvirgined’?” The answer is through Travel and Tours companies. There are lots of them. For a modest fee, you’d get expert advice and assistance in acquiring any visa.

Other questions you need answered before hitting the embassy include:

(a) Do I have a valid letter of invitation?

(b) Have I made a hotel reservation or do I have a pre-arranged place to stay abroad?

(c) What is my financial status? Have I got my bank’s statement?

(d) Have I ever been denied visa by any country before?

(e) Have I been convicted of any criminal offence before?

(f) Who is sponsoring my travel?

(g) What is the purpose of my travel? Etc.

Of all these, the most important is having other countries’ visas in your passport.

Awele Odigo is the Head, Web Resources unit of Jobaweb Group:http://jobaweb.com, Nigeria Voice Group; http://www.nigeriavoice.com and Cross Gospel International ;http://www.crossgospel.org. He’s been to all the continents of the world and has garnered a lot of travel experience.

[tags]visa,travel,embassy travel visa[/tags]

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Malawi is the ‘warm heart of Africa’, Malawi is a stable, safe African country known for its people with their welcoming smiles and friendly nature. The centre-piece of its tourism, though, is the enchanting Lake Malawi, Livingstone’s ‘Lake of Stars’. Boasting a rich diversity of wildlife, fish and bird life as well as flora, the country is ideal for nature lovers with its Lake Malawi Marine Park having been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Varied treasures including many unique species await bird watchers, anglers, outdoor and water sport enthusiasts and game viewers. Other ways to enjoy the country include sampling the local ‘chambo’ fish or a Malawi Gin and Tonic and buying souvenirs made by highly skilled craftsmen, such as chief’s chairs, floor mats, wooden masks, traditional cane items, baskets, carvings and raffia beach hats.

CAPITAL:

Lilongwe

CLIMATE:

Tropical with wet and dry seasons. Dry season (Apr-Nov) is also a good time to visit. Warm months are mid-Aug to Nov, with October the hottest. Rains (Nov-Apr) are intermittent. In winter (dry season) there are high winds and some dust storms.

CURRENCY:

1 Malawi Kwacha = 100 Tambala. USD or Pounds Sterling traveller’s cheques are recommended. Credit cards are not commonly accepted, except in big hotels. Foreign exchange shortages can be a problem. The import of foreign currency is unlimited if declared. The export of foreign currency is allowed up to the amount declared upon arrival.

ELECTRICITY:

230 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin square.

HEALTH:

A yellow fever inoculation is an official requirement for travellers coming from an infected country or area. Visitors are advised to take pre-arrival precautions against malaria (risk exists throughout the year in the whole country), Hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Other health concerns are meningitis (depending on time of year and area visited); insect-borne diseases; cholera (officially considered infected); bilharzia (some stretches of Lake Malawi: it is recommended that you don’t swim in stillwater pools or ponds in rivers below the plateaux or on the shores of Lake Malawi away from the sandy beaches of lake-side tourist resorts, Lake Malawi should not be used as a source of drinking water unless water has been boiled or filtered first); pollen (people with allergies or asthma may suffer discomfort from pollen etc.); poor medical facilities; unavailability of medicines; and HIV/AIDS.

LANGUAGE:

Chichewa is the national language and widely spoken. English is the official language.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:

New Year’s Day (1 Jan); John Chilibwe Day (15 Jan); Martyr’s Day (3 Mar); Good Friday (9Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); Freedom Day (14 Jun); Independance Day (16 Jul); Mother’s Day (9 Oct); Christmas Day (25 Dec); Boxing Day (26 Dec)

SHOPPING:

Wood and soapstone carvings; wood and cane furniture; pottery; beadwork; colourful fabrics; raffia items; instruments.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS:

Over 99 percent of the population is African, with the largest group being Chewa. The main religious beliefs are traditional. Suits or jacket and tie are suitable for business meetings. Although the dress code is now more relaxed than used to be the case, visitors should take care not to offend local sensitivities.

TIME DIFFERENCE:

GMT +2

TIPPING:

Tipping is permitted.

TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:

Lake Malawi:

One of the world’s biological wonders and Africa’s third-largest lake, Lake Malawi forms an inland sea with a rich marine life surrounded by palm-fringed beaches and lively villages; sailing, waterskiing, scuba diving and game fishing for Tiger Fish and Lake Salmon can be done here; Lake Malawi Marine Park in the south has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site and protects a unique diversity of tropical fish (more than 400 species have been identified, most of which are unique to these waters), a renowned colony of otters and a rich birdlife.

Kasungu National Park:

Miombo woodland interspersed with sandy plains and wide rivers; ideal for game viewing and bird watching especially at Lifupa Dam; of particular interest is Kasungu’s famous elephants; Stone and Iron Age sites and rock paintings can be found.

Zomba Plateau:

Stands 900m above the city of Zomba covered in evergreen forest and verdant grassland; home to Blue Monkeys, rare montane forest birds and epiphytic orchids; ideal for fishing in the Mulunguzi Dam and hiking; the viewing points of Queen’s View and Emperor’s View allows visitors to take in the invigorating air; of interest in Zomba city are the traditional African market and botanical gardens.

Nyika National Park:

The Northern Highlands form the greatest wilderness area in Malawi; the Nyika Plateau holds Africa’s highest concentration of roan antelope, great herds of eland and other mountain game, which can be viewed from horseback; other activities include mountain biking, birding, trout fishing and hiking; alpine flowers, orchids and proteas cover the high meadows; nearby visit the Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve.

Liwonde National Park:

Malawi’s premier game area and habitat of the Big Five, this riverine park on the bank of the Shire River features many hippo, elephant, crocodile, lion, leopard and birds; a must-do is the leisurely boat safari upriver into Lake Malombe; the Park contains the only population of Lilian’s lovebird in Malawi.

Lengwe National Park:

Home to the attractive Nyala Antelope, buffalo, Livingstone’s Suni and birds like the Gorgeous Bush-strike, African Broadbill and Crested Guineafowl.

Lilongwe:

Also known as the ‘Garden City’ for its colourful flowering trees and wooded slopes of indigenous trees; visit the Kitu Botanical Gardens; Chinese Pagoda and Water Gardens; Capital Hill; National Library; Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary; New Market; Old Market; Old Town; and Asian Quarter.

Blantyre:

Founded in 1876, this is the commercial capital of Malawi; surrounded by hills and mountains; visit the nearby Michiru Mountain Park; Thyolo tea district; Shire river and game parks; Majete and Mwabyi Game Reserves and curio shops.

Mount Mulanje:

An isolated massif containing 20 granite peaks, the highest of which soars to 3000m offers serious climbers several challenging routes; spectacular waterfalls, forests and tea plantations decorate the area; of botanical interest is the Mulanje cedar, believed to be unique to this area.

Viphya Plateau:

A must-do for bird watchers; the Luwawa Dam has established itself as an adventure centre, with canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing and more available.

Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za

[tags]African,Travel Tips,Malawi,Gerald Crawford,South Africa[/tags]