Mafinga - Lilongwe (725km)

Arriving at Lilongwe in Malawi on 30th May 2004 from Mafinga in Tanzania, via Makumbako, Myeba and Mzuzu

Rallye mail

The rally leaves Mafinga heading south-west to Makumbako then following the old railway line turning south before Myeba towards Lake Malawi. The only land crossing between Malawi and Tanzania is at the Songwe River bridge north of Kaporo at the north end of lake Malawi. The rally enters Malawi across the bridge and follows the shore of Lake Malawi past the Nyika National Park to Mzuzu across the Biphya Mountains and south to Lilongwe.

Malawi

The tourist brochures bill Malawi as the warm heart of Africa. The country has reliable transport; the scenery is gorgeous and varied; the people are very friendly. There are the national parks and game reserves, mountain hiking and plateau trekking; Lake Malawi is great for diving, boating or lazing about.

Lilongwe

Lilongwe became the country's new capital in 1975. The new city centre has the ministries, embassies, airline offices, travel agents and a collection of office buildings and mini-malls. In the old town you'll find the market, restaurants and cafes, the bus station and a good range of accommodation. The market is jammed with pots and pans, car and bike parts, vegetables, live chickens and dried fish.

The rallyists take a rest stop and make repairs at Lilongwe, before leaving for Lusaka on June 6th 2004.