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We owe you a big THANK
YOU for all the work you have undertaken to having gotten
us to such wonderful holidays on the occasion of our wedding back
in May 2003.
These were really the holidays of our lifetime, beyond any prior imagination, with lots of marvellous and different impressions, thanks to such a variety of different all wonderful locations and the great number of supportive, sympathetic and interesting people taking care of us. Last but not least of all, it was all perfectly organised. And if we as Germans use the word perfect, we really mean it. Everybody knew what he/she had to do, there were no unexpected breaks (well, just one, but that was due to the Zambian air traffic control), and everything really ran smoothly. As said, not only the locations were stunning, but also the people on the ground made a difference. Everybody really was so nice and helpful! And this was certainly a reflection of how well you have chosen them. Thanks again a million.
Now let us tell some detailed stories to give you a flavour what we have done and how we have experienced all of that;
Chapter 1:
Lower Zambezi
Canoe Safari with one night at Royal Zambezi Lodge and three nights at Mwambashi River Lodge
Both lodges were marvellously located at the Zambezi River, with beautiful views and lots of nice staff. The food was excellent in both of them, very well and individually prepared and served, and the owners were really taking care of us to the extreme of granting us every first night a bottle of champagne, having been briefed by Sally most probably that we are honeymooners…really nice. Garth was a fantastic guide, really enthusiastic and conveying lots of passion for his profession. Our activities comprised canoeing, fishing (for the first time, with quite some success…Ronja got three 8 pound tiger fish, while I caught a 12 pound vundu), walking safaris and night drives. Mwambashi was still topping Royal Zambezi because (1) we were there for three nights the only guests, allowing us to decide individually when we wanted to do what, and (11) Colleen was giving us a big surprise by organising a spontaneous surprise dinner solely for us on a lonely island, with lions, crocs and hyenas surrounding us while the full moon shed a bright light in addition to the already established lampions. This was the most romantic dinner we ever had.
Chapter 2:
South Luangwa
Three nights at Nkwali Camp in the South Luangwa
A beautiful lodge at the edge of the Luangwa with lots of animals and very knowledgeable guides in the National Park. The food again was lovely
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prepared and tasted really good. Coming from the Lower Zambezi and having been spoiled to the extreme there, however, we felt that due to the greater number of guests, everything was much tighter organised. 6 o’clock, getting up, at the evening before decision who will be put with whom in which group (walking or driving safari) Ok, lunch between this and that time, walk to the swimming pool only accompanied, and dinner at this and that time after the last car returned on time from the drive. No complaints there at all, it was really great there, just after all the pampering at Lower Zambezi already a bit strictly organised for us.
Chapter 3:
Blantyre and
Orphans Project
One night at Ryall’s Hotel and visited Friends of the Orphans Community Caring Centre which Andre supports.
This was a great hotel, very modern and business like, but not at all what we have expected. I was under the impression that the old "Ryall’s” existed still, as I “HATE” business hotels (being “forced” to sleep in them “always” when on business trip). The air conditioning was literally mind-blowing, consequently was the food cold immediately. But OK, the room was nice, clean, tidy, a bit sterile, but overall worth the impression. The Orphans Project added the most individuality to the trip, with people singing and dancing for us and lots of grateful children. Wow. Stunning. But: we returned on time and got southwards with no problems to the Mulanje Mountains.
Chapter 4:
Mount Mulanje
Three nights at three different mountain huts on Mount Mulanje, accompanied by a guide and porters.
This was a great hike. It was not the one, Land & Lake had quoted, but Ronald from Zomba managed to give us a wonderful and impressive overview of the mountain massive with 3 peak assents in three days. After that we were really exhausted! The huts were as we had expected, we loved Ronald because he knew so much and was really in fear when we returned 1 ½ hours later than he had expected, but we were all the time well guided by Francis who did all the ways to all the peaks bare feet.
Chapter 5:
Lake Malawi
Two nights on a kayak Africa safari staying at Mumbo Island, followed by one night on Mufasa - a fully equipped and crewed ocean going catamaran.
After such exhausting hiking trips and quite a hot day at the
tea estate, it was time to relax, and Mumbo Island was just perfect
for that. The waters were incredibly clean, no danger of bilharzias,
this island is just lovely situated, and |
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the owners and staff were nice. Food was good, sometimes a bit
too many onions, but the most stunning were these incredibly unreal
sunsets and sunrises. Wow. We enjoyed 2 times 2 of them on the
island and two more aboard the Mufusa. Here we were spoiled with
food as well; unfortunately there was absolutely no wind, so sailing
was replaced by motor-ferrying. But OK, fine. We enjoyed the relaxing
atmosphere and the bit of small talk. And of course again the
clear waters and the sun. It was nice that the owners allowed
us to sleep outside as opposed to that small cabin. That was great,
the only night in Africa really under the stars.
Chapter 6:
Nyika Plateau
Two nights at Chelinda Lodge followed by three nights camping whilst on the Livingstonia Hike.
Another highlight of the trip. This Lodge was incredibly beautiful, the scenery is amazing! The food was again excellent, and the service outstanding. Again we received a bottle of champagne and even sweets as welcome present for honeymooners. Wonderful. We did some horse riding (with Eve – great!) and very nice night drives, and again relaxed and enjoyed the landscape either from our hut or from the main living room in front of the fire place. Unfortunately, our walk out on the plateaux was accompanied by a lot of rain, so that the camping didn’t really make a lot of fun. Plus, we felt that the guide (Vasco, from Vzawa) was not properly trained. But after all, it was a good experience. Also, unfortunately we couldn’t really enjoy Lukwe camp, as I had a lot of stomach problems on that night, with negative consequences even for the next day, the last in Malawi.
Chapter 7:
Lilongwe
One night at Lilongwe Hotel
One last day in Lilongwe finished it all. Ronja enjoyed the city, while I stayed in bed for the evening, which was worth it because then I could at least benefit from the next morning and the good deals on the souvenir market. Great memories, tons of photos and a lot of unique shared experiences are what we still have in our mind today.
Best regards
And Thanks Again!
Ronja and André
To
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