Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lingadzi River are 180 hectares of wilderness area, otherwise known as the Lilongwe
Nature Sanctuary. After the sanctuary fell into disrepair, a joint agreement between the Li-
longwe Wildlife Trust and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife has returned
some of the area to its former glory. The new Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is Malawi's only
sanctuary for orphaned, injured and rescued wild animals and plays an active role in con-
servation. Local residents include: a one-eyed lion rescued from Romania, bush babies,
python, baboons, duikers, serval, blue monkeys and a leopard. The centre is considered by
the UK-based Born Free Foundation, among others, to be a safe space for injured animals
and for those that have been rescued from the bushmeat and wildlife trades, poorly kept
zoos and private collections. The centre's ultimate aim is to rehabilitate the animals for a
life back in the wild and it has a strict no breeding, no trade and a non-essential contact
policy. They also run an outreach program to schools.
You're not allowed to wander around the centre on your own, but the entry fee includes
a tour of the animal enclosures. This isn't a zoo so you aren't guaranteed to see any anim-
als, but you will get to walk through a lovely wilderness area and learn about the centre's
aims and animal conservation in Malawi in general.
Parliament Building
To get up close to the country's movers and shakers, head to the Parliament Building,
which moved in the mid-1990s from Zomba to the ostentatious palace of former president
Banda on the outskirts of Lilongwe. At the time of writing, work was underway on a
shiny new parliament building near Capital Hill, which should be completed by 2011.
HISTORIC BUILDING
Kamuzu Mausoleum
(Presidential Way)
If you're interested in seeing the final resting place of Malawi's first
president, Dr Banda, head for the marble and granite Kamuzu Mausoleum in Heroes Acre.
Adorned with a huge portrait of Malawi's first 'president for life' at the entrance, the
mausoleum also houses a library and research centre. Construction finished in 2006 at a
whopping cost of US$600,000.
TOMB
