Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entertainment
(see 4)
B2
Shopping
(see 4)
B2
Information
D2
A2
Transport
A2
D3
Blantyre & Limbe
POP 728,000
Founded by Scottish missionaries in 1876, and named after the town in South Lanark-
shire, Scotland, where explorer David Livingstone was born, Blantyre is Malawi's
second-largest city. It's more appealing and cohesive than Lilongwe thanks to its compact
size and hilly topography, and though there's not much to do here, it makes for a good
springboard for exploring remote areas such as Mulanje and the Lower Shire Valley. At-
tached to the city's eastern side (as of 1956) is Limbe; home to a grand old mission
church, minibus station and excellent golf club. Unlike Blantyre, however, which has seen
a finessing of its restaurants and hotels, Limbe has fallen into disrepair over the last
couple of decades.
Blantyre serves as the country's commercial and industrial hub and has the best and
most diverse choice of restaurants in the country, several happening bars, and a fascinat-
ing library and archives. Add to that tour operators, banks, internet cafes and other prac-
ticalities, and Blantyre makes a pleasant stopover. The main focus of shops, banks and
shops is on Victoria Ave and adjoining Glyn Jones Rd.
