Manchewe Falls
- The truly spectacular Manchewe and Kazichi Falls crash down the Rift Valley, with the highest single drop being over 80 meters. The waterfalls, surrounded by lush rainforest, can be viewed from Lukwe in all their magnificence. There are several paths from Lukwe to the edge of the falls which gives a very good view of the rapids at their head. People hiding from slavers, over 100 years ago, used to flee to the caves behind the Kazichi Falls.
Livingstonia
- Livingstonia was founded in 1894 by missionaries from the the Free Church of Scotland. The missionaries had first established a mission in 1875 at Cape Maclear, which they named Livingstonia after David Livingstone, whose death in 1873 had rekindled British support for missions in Eastern Africa. Dr. Livingstone inspired abolitionists of the slave trade, explorers and missionaries. He opened up Central Africa to missionaries who initiated the education and health care for Africans, and trade by the African Lakes Company. He was held in some esteem by many African chiefs and local people and his name facilitated relations between them and the British. The location at Cape Maclear proved extremely malarial and the mission moved north to Bandawe. This site also proved unhealthy and the Livingstonia Mission moved once again to the higher grounds between Lake Malawi and Nyika Plateau. This new site proved highly successful because Livingstonia is located in the mountains and therefore not prone to mosquitoes carrying malaria. The mission station gradually developed into a small town. The leading missionary for 52 years was Dr Robert Laws. He established in Livingstonia the best school in his time for the whole region, and Livingstonia graduates became influential in several neighbouring countries, right down to South Africa. Dr Laws wanted Livingstonia to develop into a university, but his successors did not pursue the dream. In 2003 the Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian(CCAP) renewed the vision and started Livingstonia University.
The houses in Livingstonia are characteristic in that they are mostly constructed with red bricks.
The Stone House was the residence of Mr. Robert Laws. Nowadays it has become a museum as well as a rest house.
Nyika
- The Nyika Plateau is a rolling wholeback grassland plateau unique in Africa. Much of this highest and most extensive high plateau surface is gazetted as the Nyika National Park. It extends for about 3134 square kilometers. This great plateau tilts gently from 2500 meters in the west down to 2100 meters in the east.
Nyika means "where the water comes from" and this is one of Malawi's most important water catchment areas. The water reaches Lake Malawi often by way of waterfalls on the eastern edge of the mountains.
There are roughly 200 orchid species which generally flower from January to February. The Nyika supports the greatest variety of birds, over 400 species, found anywhere in Malawi, Nyika also protects almost 100 species of mammals.
The most popular of Nyika's wilderness trails is the Livingstonia trail, which leads from Chelinda all the way to Livingstonia and to Lukwe on the Rift Valley Escarpment east of the national park. This three-day, two-night guided hike can be organised by Wilderness Safaris .
At Lukwe we have maps and plenty information about the Nyika. You can also hire camping gear at Lukwe and we organise the occasional excursion to Nyika National Park.
Lukwe - Chelinda 198 kilometers via Rumphi.
The Livingstonia Trail - 52 kilometers to Lukwe.
Vwaza Reserve
- Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve covers an area of 986 square kilometers. It is a highly attractive place to anybody who likes wildlife. There is a wonderful mix of vegetation around Kazuni lake in Vwaza, brachystegia forest and thin mopane woodland and marsh. It is this rich variation in habitat that attracts such a splendid range of birdlife, about 270 species. Large mammals like elephant,hippos and species ofantelope should be seen on a short visit in the dry season. Buffalo are also often spotted.
Lukwe has much more information, we organise an occasional excursion to Vwaza.
Lukwe - Kazuni 100 kilometers. It's quite possible to cycle this stretch in one day in the dry season via the back road to Rumphi.
Mount Chombe
Another beautiful walk is to Chombe Plateau (approximately 2 hours from Lukwe. It is the highest plateau in the area and has stunning views across the lake and Rift Valley. Its a sacred uninhabited place with many local myths attached to it. . A vist to Chombe plateau and Livingstonia makes a day's walk from Lukwe.
You can get plenty of travel information about all these excursions and about tailor-made excursions full of adventure from the camp owner who has widely and extensively explored all these possibilities himself.
