MORE FROM MANDA
Nkwichi Lodge and Manda Wilderness, on the eastern shore of Lake Malawi, are pleased to announce the opening in August of two new houses available to rent. Songea House (6 beds) and Makolo House (4 beds) both have stunning views across Lake Malawi and access to their own private beaches on the lakeshore.
         Another piece of good news from Nkwichi Lodge concerns visas. Located in Mozambique territory, visas are required. After many months of uncertainty and difficulty, the arrangements have been made plainer. Simply arrive on Likoma Island by plane or boat, take to connecting boat to Cobue and it's a three minute walk to the customs post. Take a quick look around Cobue Cathedral and its back to customs to collect your stamped passport.
info@mandawilderness.org

TIME FOR TEA
More visitors to southern Malawi are discovering the delights of staying in one of the colonial managers bungalows on the Satemwa Tea Estate with its views of Mount Mulanje in one direction and the Lower Shire Valley in the other. Now, the UK national newspaper, The Independent has ranked Satemwa among the world's top five 'tea hotels'. And there's more good news. Satemwa is now a certified Fair Trade producer – the only one in Southern Africa. It's possible for guests to sample a selection of black, green and white (yes, white) teas as they look across the neat tea gardens and try to identify the birds from the hundreds of species that are resident or passing through the area. You prefer coffee? No problem, coffee is also grown here.
         The Satemwa Tea Estate is a wonderful place to stay if exploring in the Thyolo and Mount Mulanje area. They have a new and very informative website: www.satemwa.com
accommodation@satemwa.com

GOOD NEWS FOR FLYERS
Ulendo Safaris have launched an exciting new on-line booking service for flights. Called Epower it's a first for southern Africa. Go to http://www.ulendo.net/epoweronline.htm for the booking engine which allows prospective flyers from anywhere in the world to book flights. At the moment there are special fares from British Airways and South African Airways on the system. All fares include relevant taxes and, after making the booking, a Ulendo agent will contact the client to finalize arrangements and arrange delivery. This service complements the rest of Ulendo's tourism products.
reservations@ulendo.net

A FIRST
The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre and Nature Sanctuary is destined to become Africa's first Born Free Foundation accredited 'People and Wildlife' centre.
         In the heart of the capital city, yet comprising a unique haven of indigenous woodland, the Sanctuary is home to monkeys, baboons, a range of small antelope, hyena and crocodiles – as well as many species of birds. The development of a 60-bed tourist lodge and campsite is in the hands of Land & Lake Safaris, one longest established companies in Malawi's tourist industry. While the lodge is still building, the Wildlife Centre will be open from 1^st July this year.
         Initially open just three days a week (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), the Centre is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year when closure, for maintenance, will be Mondays only. When completed there will be a restaurant and gift shop, an educational camp for local children and an animal adoption scheme.
         This ambitious project includes a international volunteer programme and fund raising schemes. Overall it is an important and most welcome initiative of which Malawi, the City of Lilongwe and The country's tourism industry can be justly proud.
sanctuary@landlake.net

TAKING A LOOK
This month has seen two groups of journalists travelling around the country gathering copy for their newspapers and magazines. A total of eight journalists, representing some of the top names in the print media were hosted by members of the Malawi Tourism Marketing Consortium whose UK office organised the trips. Kenya Airways provided the International flights and the group were treated to the comfortable experience of the airline's premier class. Flying six times a week and with fares starting at £446 (inc taxes), Kenya Airways' London-Nairobi-Lilongwe route is one of the most popular for those flying out to Malawi from Europe.
www.kenya-airways.com

HOME AT LAST
Malawi's largest group of hotels, hitherto managed by international companies such as Le Méridien, are now being managed by their Malawian owners, Sunbird Hotels. At its launch party in the Sunbird Capital Hotel, it was emphasised that the group will now be able to develop its true brand image with the Sunbird name incorporated into the titles of all seven hotels. This group identity will allow its guests to appreciate the strength of the collection of nationwide properties, some of the best known hotels in the country. New marketing strategies will be adopted to exploit this position with both domestic and international clients in mind. Emphasis will be placed on the tourist potential of many of the group's properties which include such well-known hotels as the Livingstonia Beach, Ku Chawe and the Mount Soche. The acting CEO of the Group is Connie Msiska, previously General Manager at the Capital, and Stan Phiri is the Marketing and Communications Director.
stan@sunbirdmalawi.com

MICELLANY

• Club Makokola (Club Mak to its many friends) is up-grading all its Standard rooms to Superior. There are now internet hotspots around the complex including the pool area and the Terrace Restaurant – so bring your laptops, if you must!
  
• Danforth Yachting & Lodge now have three additional catamarans spruced up and ready for sailing. At this time the Nmwerea winds have started to blow giving ideal sailing conditions. If you're off the water, the Lodge is wonderfully sheltered.
  
• Many in the travel trade will be aware of the controversy surrounding the Nyika and Vwaza tourism concessions. The latest welcome news is that the Nyika Safari Company's concessions have been extended to 31 October. The long term arrangements should be known next month.
  
• The Hon. Patricia Kaliati has been replaced as Malawi's Minister of Tourism by the Hon. Callista Chimombo.
  
• Luwawa Forest Lodge has opened up an old road from Chikangwa to Kande Beach by rebuilding a bridge over the Luweya river. This is a wonderful 4WD adventure drive with untouched wilderness and stunning views as you descend the rift valley escarpment to the Lake. Luwawa recently held its 42km Mountain Bike International race with this year's winner, Jonathon Kaiy achieving a record time.
  
• Malawi's only extreme sport event, the annual Porters Race up Mount Mulanje takes place on 14 July. The race is now in its eleventh year and attracts an international field of hundreds. There's still time to enter: contact hastings@mountmulanje.org.mw

The Malawi Tourism Marketing Consortium offers its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the five British tourists and the pilot killed in the aircraft accident of 16 June. Our sympathies also go to David & Robyn Foot of the Nyika Safari Company.