Walk The Many Shady Forestry Reserves In Malawi And Be Awed By Nature

browse (1 / 4)

There are many scenic walks and safaris to choose from in Malawi's 70 forest reserves and the low budget accommodation in Forestry Resthouses makes the opportunity to see mammals, birds and ongoing evergreen forest more popular among nature lovers. The sad reality is that these evergreens may not be around for ever as the endemic species are under threat. The forest reserves protect 770,000ha of woodland, but the demand for firewood is insatiable and annually the country loses around 50,000ha of indigenous trees. This rampant deforestation might not only kill the trees, but could kill the tourist market, so take the chance to explore the reserves now.

Luwawa Forest Lodge on the Viphya Plateau is probably the best known lodge. Mount Mulanje is a granite and syenite massif and hikers ascend through forests to the highest point in Central Africa, called Sapitwa Peak at 3000m. The massif houses a few 300-year-old specimens of the Mulanje Cedar that rise 45m above the ground. Following the dirt road to Ntchisi Forest Reserve through natural beauty, visitors can stay at the Ntchisi Forest Reserve which was built in the 1920s as a summer retreat for the District Commissioner of Nkhotakota. Dzalanyama Forest Reserve supports a variety of elusive game. Free camping in any one of the forestry reserves is permitted with prior permission with the district forestry officer and accommodation ranges from campsites to mountain huts, guest houses, self catering lodges and fully inclusive establishments so there is a place to rest for all tastes.