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Great Places to Find Happiness

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sandramallinson in Malawi,, Beach holidays,,
July 07th, 2011 at 12:40pm
Tags: Cichlids,, Kayak,, Lake Malawi,, Malawi,, paul theroux,, Safari,, Serengeti,, Victoria Falls,

In a recent article in the USA Today, acclaimed travel writer Paul Theroux was interviewed on his 10 Great Places to find Happiness.

I was quite surprised to see Malawi on his list. If you’ve read Dark Star Safari you’ll know Mr. Theroux’s negative sentiments after revisiting Malawi and the now broken-down school where he’d been a teacher in the early 1960s.

While he still feels that Malawi has “a really terrible government”, he loves the country itself, the small villages, the people, and Lake Malawi: “It's a very big, deep lake, with hotels all along the lakeshore. If I were a tourist, that's where I would go”.

 

Kaya Mawa lodge on Likoma Island.

Simply put. Yet I whole-heartedly agree that a Lake Malawi holiday is a guaranteed pick-me-up for anyone worn down by deadlines, schedules and city stress.

Malawi is probably the most laid-back destination I’ve ever visited, and this loose arrangement with time is just fine when your most pressing engagement is a spot of snorkeling or game of bao.

 

A snorkeling trip to Otter's Point. 

I spent a blissful week or two on the shores of Lake Malawi: wandering the markets, reading dog-eared novels in my favourite hammock and finning my way through gin-clear water.

On more energetic days I’d kayak to a remote beach or island, while on lazier days (of which there were a few) I’d pay someone to paddle me on their dug-out canoe. After floating about in the underwater world of blue and yellow cichlids I’d lie lizard-like on a large granite boulder; the soporific sunshine taking effect, my daydreams interwoven by the cries of fish eagles.

Kids splashing about at Cape Maclear.

While often overshadowed by its bigger neighbours and their brochure-hogging assets – the drenching spray of Victoria Falls in Zambia, Mozambique’s 2,500km coastline or Tanzania’s vast Serengeti Plains – this little land-locked country is well worth a visit for its beauty, laid-back pace of life and the incredible warmth of Malawian people.

Were I to make a “Great Places to Find Happiness” list, Malawi would certainly be right up there.

Which begs the question: which African destination would be on your list?

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Recent Comments

  • 1: 

    Should be a great bathing/ beach holiday for kids too hey? No currents. How about Crocodiles? Are there Crocs lurking or other wild animals that can attack while sun-tanning?

    Traveller Expert
    Michaela
    July 07th, 2011 at 12:49pm

  • 2: 

    I have to agree, Malawi is simply beautiful. Along the lake shore there is all kinds of interesting places to stay.  Budget to luxury - it’s all there. Perfect for families - it is a fresh water lake with very little to no waves and mr croc(flatdog) do not call it home. I’m the laying in a hammock and reading a book type of girl when on holiday, but there is plenty of stuff to do - sould you have the willpower to get up from your dreamy state of mind. A friendly local told me about a great hike to Livingstonia Mission close to Chitimba Beach which is a good days walk and my first thought were - maybe next time, cause surely this is a place I’ll come back to….

    Professional
    ingrid---g2a
    July 07th, 2011 at 1:18pm

  • 3: 

    The mountains of the Western Cape do it for The Fynbos Guy - anywhere, anytime of year, any kind of weather. It’s where I find happiness and spiritual enlightenment - and I’m not even joking.

    Expert on the Ground
    thefynbosguy
    July 07th, 2011 at 1:28pm

  • 4: 

    Anywhere in the Karoo just does it for me! It’s so far away from city life, peaceful and gets you back down to basics.

    Also, anywhere in the bush is also right up my happiness aisle smile Kruger especially!

    Professional Expert
    kimberoo
    July 07th, 2011 at 1:43pm

  • 5: 

    Nyanga in Zim is a special place for me, ice-cold rivers, roaring fires and a cozy cottage, and fresh crisp air with the smell of pine forests.

    And at the risk of sounding like a broken record…Mana Pools!

    Professional Expert
    Vanessa
    July 07th, 2011 at 4:01pm

  • 6: 

    The rugged and deserted west coast beaches, warm water east coast between Arniston and Mossel Bay or the “Berg” do it for me!

    Traveller
    hagen
    July 13th, 2011 at 2:28pm

  • 7: 

    And now Yahoo Travel has voted Lake Malawi as the number one most beautiful lake in the world, as well, along with Lonely Planet’s top 10 lists for the World’s Happiest places, and the Worlds Friendliest places.
    I stayed on Mumbo a few years back and had the most relaxed and beautiful time. There were surely around 5 pairs of African Fish Eagle waking you in the morning, we kayaked around the island with Kayak Africa, and spent lazy afternoons in our hammocks on our private decks or snorkelled and swam in the warm clear water. Really love this place, and its beautiful people.

    Professional Expert
    liesel-muller
    July 28th, 2011 at 9:18am

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