Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ferent choices that change daily. Call in advance to arrange pick-up from the
Ilala
ferry at
Chilumba.
Getting There & Away
A minibus or
matola
(pick-up) between Chitimba and Mzuzu or Karonga is around
MK1500.
Livingstonia
Built by missionaries, Livingstonia feels sanctified, special and otherworldly; its tree-
lined main street is graced with old colonial-style buildings and smartly attired folk who
look as if they're all en route to church. But for the stunning mountain views, there's not
much to do in town but visit the Stone House. Staying at the latter or at one of the nearby
permaculture farms will make for a magical, peaceful chapter in your journey.
After two failed attempts at establishing a mission at Cape Maclear and at Bandawe
(too many people kept dying from malaria), the Free Church of Scotland moved its mis-
sion 900m above the lake to the village of Khondowe. Called Livingstonia after Dr David
Livingstone, the mission was built under the leadership of Dr Robert Laws in 1894. The
town provides a fascinating glimpse into Malawi's colonial past - most of the old stone
buildings are still around today (many of them are used by the local university).
Sights & Activities
MUSEUM
Stone House Museum
(admission MK250, photos MK100; 7.30am-5pm)
The fascinating museum in Stone
House (the original home of Dr Robert Laws and now a national monument) tells the
story of the European arrival in Malawi and the first missionaries. Here you can read Dr
Laws' letters, peruse black-and-white photos of early missionary life in Livingstonia and
browse a collection of Dr Laws' books, including the old laws of Nyasaland. Also on dis-
play is an excellent collection of original magic-lantern slides, an early anaesthesia ma-
chine, an old gramophone and the cloak that Dr Laws used when he was a moderator.
