Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the spectacular selection of birds. This is one of the best
birdwatching
areas in Malawi;
you'll see a number of rare waders here. Even if you're not a fan of our feathered friends,
it's worth considering a visit here simply to sample this peaceful and very unusual land-
scape, and spend a morning or so floating on the lily-studded waters past baobabs and
stately palm trees.
As mornings and evenings are the best times to see birds (it's also not so hot), travellers
without wheels may find it convenient to stay overnight in the village of Bangula, which
has a council rest house. If you have a car, you could stay in Nchalo.
Getting There & Around
The only way to see the marsh properly is by boat. The usual way of doing this is to hire a
boatman and his dugout canoe at a small village called Mchacha James on the east side of
the marsh, about 7km from Makhanga.
If you're driving, head southwest of Blantyre for 30km and turn left (east) at Thabwa
(the bottom of the escarpment). Makhanga is another 65km or so further south, following
the Thyolo Escarpment. From Makhanga, head north towards Muona village. After 2.5km
a dirt track leads west for 4.5km through villages and small fields to Mchacha James. This
route is not signposted so ask for directions - it may be worth arranging a local guide in
Makhanga. During the rains it sometimes isn't possible to cross the bridge to Mchacha
James. You can probably get a boat across and then walk but you might not want to leave
your car unattended.
If you're without wheels, take the bus from Blantyre that travels to Nchalo and Nsanje.
You can get a
matola
from either of these towns to Makhanga. Alternatively, you can get
off this bus at Bangula and then take a
matola
through Chiromo to Makhanga. From
Makhanga, you can walk (it's a good hour), take a bicycle-taxi or charter a
matola
to
Mchacha James.
Nyala Lodge (
Click here
)
arranges day trips to the Elephant Marsh, as does Jambo
Africa (
Click here
)
in Blantyre.
MWABVI WILDLIFE RESERVE
Sitting at the country's southernmost tip,
Mwabvi
(admission per person/car MK750/300)
is the smallest, most remote and least accessible of Malawi's wildlife reserves. As with
many of the country's other wilderness areas, Mwabvi has been severely hit by poachers
in the past, and wildlife stocks have been diminished, though species here do include buf-
faloes, kudus, sable antelopes, bushpigs, bushbucks and a handful of leopards. In Mwabvi,
though, it doesn't seem to matter. The magic of coming here is its very isolation and its
untouched wilderness atmosphere. The scenery is gorgeous too - gentle wooded hills sit
