FEATURING FAMILIES
Sunbird Hotels & Resorts, Malawi's largest hotel and leisure group, are promoting their impressive range of activities, attractive to families, that is available at their string of hotels conveniently distributed around the country. It really is a most comprehensive list from beach volleyball and soccer at their lakeside properties to squash and a gym at the Sunbird Capital hotel in Lilongwe. All but one hotel has a swimming pool and each hotel can arrange family outings to places of interest in the individual hotel's local area. Every effort is made to cater for the varying culinary tastes of the most exacting and varied family palates.
         To get the most out of a stay at a Sunbird property, families can approach the hotel in advance to discuss their needs and the hotel's range of opportunities.
stan@sunbirdmalawi.com

FLEET EXPANDS
Danforth Yachting have added to their fleet on Lake Malawi. While Mufasa, their ocean-going yacht, remains their flagship, they now have Shenzi a 36 foot inboard ferry which they will be using for trips on and around the lake. Although licensed to carry up to 30 passengers, the plan is to accommodate just six passengers who can live on board, camping-style. The boat can be chartered for diving, lake cruises and parties. The top awning or canopy can be used as a comfortable viewing platform. Very exciting is the plan to use Shenzi to take guests down to Liwonde National Park. This involves sailing out of Lake Malawi along the River Shire, crossing through Lake Malombe and continuing via the Shire to Malawi's best known national park. Passengers will be able to disembark at Mvuu Lodge and Camp in the Park and sited by the river bank. The passage down the Shire is a game safari in itself and this is likely to be a highlight for any visitor to Malawi.
         Meanwhile, Danforth Lodge, with its new swimming pool, gazebo dining area and increased accommodation, continues to offer a wealth of water activities from parasailing to kayaking, dingy sailing.
info@danforthyachting.com

EDUCATIONALS
In conjunction with Kenya Airways, the Malawi Tourism Marketing Consortium is organising a set of tour operator educational visits to Malawi in May and June.  In May, the post-Indaba educationals will showcase Consortium products on a choice of two itineraries – North Malawi and South & Central Malawi.  In June, the emphasis will be Adventure/Activity, focussed on the South of the country. Kenya Airways, which has daily flights between London and Lilongwe (via Nairobi), is providing return flights for all three itineraries, and once in Malawi, the Consortium members are doing the rest!  At time of writing, all places are just about taken – but if you haven't yet responded to us on this, and are desperate to visit Malawi, get in touch to check if a place might have become available (last minute cancellations are not unheard of!).
enquiries@malawitourism.com

UPDATES

• Further to reports in February, Barefoot Safaris have continued work on their Lodge on the western edge of Lilongwe. A swimming pool and entertainment area with changing room facilities and a braai area under a thatched roof are all under construction. In Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, the accommodation now boasts a new Reception Area with game viewing deck, a bush kitchen and fully serviced ablutions. Barefoot are also offering new 'Chimpanzee' safaris,, and can now be contacted during office hours using Skype (ID is Barefootsafaris18). info@barefoot-safaris.com
• Another immediate update comes from Majete Wildlife Reserve, where the exciting re-development continues. The first baby hippo was born in the Reserve recently and mother and baby are reported as 'doing well'. Another first is due in June or July; a baby black rhino. The 140 sq km Sanctuary, which is home to the relocated animals, is fully established. A 130 km perimeter fence around the whole of the Reserve is now complete with its 24,000 wooden poles and its electrical fencing. info@africanparksmw.com
• Ever conscious of their exemplary reputation as an eco-lodge, Nkwichi, on the eastern shore of Lake Malawi, is now providing all its power with a new solar system. This not only powers the lighting in all the chalets and houses but generates enough energy to run four deep-freezers and the restaurant ovens. The generator is now retained simply for emergency use. info@mandawilderness.org

UP AND RUNNING
Ntchisi Forest Lodge, which opened for business only at Christmas, reports an excellent start to their operations. Guests appreciate the stunningly beautiful setting and its 'away-from-it-all' feel. It's a really wonderful place to relax and to take an interest in the natural surroundings. Some visitors have found the lodge to be the ideal place to stay on their arrival in Malawi. Only about 100km from Lilongwe and with great views of Lake Malawi on the way, it's not long before guests can begin to soak up the beauty of the countryside. The lodge has an excellent website (www.ntchisi.com) which features many of the activities in which visitors can engage. Some of the multitude of bird species to be seen round the lodge are featured in some excellent photographs.
forestlodge@ntchisi.com

WHAT'S THE HURRY?
Recent research, by the University of Hertfordshire (UK), attempted to measure the pace of daily life in 32 cities around the world by timing its pedestrians over 60 feet. Those carrying parcels or otherwise encumbered were ignored. The fastest turned out to be the citizens of Singapore who took 10.55 seconds, a rate of 3.9 miles per hour. It was (for those of us who prefer a more relaxed pace of life) encouraging to find that Malawi's commercial capital, Blantyre, was the slowest of all the cities in the survey. Its people covered the 60 feet in 31.60 seconds (taking nearly twice as long as the next slowest, Manama in Bahrain).
At just about 1.3 miles per hour, Blantyre is clearly intent on maintaining Malawi's reputation as a wonderfully relaxing destination!

MISCELLANY

• Luwawa Forest Lodge has a new email address: luwawa@malawi.net
• Project Africa Wilderness (PAW) have a five day walking safari (in an eight-day package) in October. The walk starts on the Viphya Plateau and descends to Lake Malawi near Chintheche. For details see: www.projectafricanwilderness.org
• The 2008 Indaba (travel show) in Durban next month will see a record number of Malawi participants. Mostly they will be on the Malawi Stand (DECC 011) but for the full list contact enquiries@malawitourism.com
• Macmillan's excellent new map, Malawi Traveller's Map is now available at a discounted price from the Tourism Marketing Office (see below) who contributed to the map.

To learn more about any items look for the information symbol, or contact John Douglas or Kelly White using the contacts below: