On December 28, 2010, we crossed the border with Tanzania to Malawi.
Border Crossing - Tanzania to Malawi
Motorcycle guys will take you from Tanzania to the Malawi border. After you have sent to Malawi, waiting for a taxi will take you to Karonga in about 40 minutes, and maybe longer, depending on how many checkpoints you will meet. There were 7 passengers in our taxi, plus a driver.
Karonga
The Malawi Border Tax dumped us at the bus station in Karonga. It was a chaos with a minibus that prevented us from going to their vans in Mzuzu. We decided to take a bus to Mzuzu.
Mzuzu
The bus sent us to the bus station in the city center. We stayed at the CCAP William Koyi guest house, which is quiet, cheap and located in the city center. We lingered for a couple of days while we were cashed before going to Nhat Bay, since the guide said that there was no money (but there was).
Nhat Bay
We caught a minibus to Nhat Bay. We stopped at the new air-conditioned rondavels at the Chikale Beach Resort, where there is an inexpensive restaurant. We also had several dishes in the restaurant at Njaya Lodge on the hill. While guidebooks tend to be enthusiastic about accommodating at Njaya Lodge, this is, at best, basic. Chicale Beach is about 40 minutes ’walk from Nhat Bay. It is best to take a taxi on arrival and departure with luggage. The water on the beach of Chikale is warm, clean and clean with a pleasant sandy beach, where there are no small snails, as we met on Cape McLeer. There is an ATM in Nhat Bay.
Senga bay
Why Senga Bay is called the beach area is outside of us. The bay of Nhat and Cape Maklich is much better. We stayed 1 night at Wamwai Beach Lodge in a warm room (shared facilities) with an awkward fan. It is located next to the fishing village, and the area is very busy with a dirty beach with lots of trash. Accommodation is very common over several kilometers, and there are only local bicycle taxis. If we knew what it was, we would have stayed on the bus. The bus depot is located in Salim, and from there you have to take one service booth (about 30 minutes) to Seng Bay area.
Liwonde
We ended up spending the night in Liwonda twice. Both times by chance, and not by design, thanks to the drivers of minibuses. There is nothing here except the transport hub and Livanda National Park. Since we were in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, this did not interest us.
Mangochi
We caught a minibus from Liwonde with a sign in Monkey Bay. Surprise! It was only until Mangochi. The driver told us to change and said that one taxi cab would take us to Monkey Bay, and it was only 5km. We climbed into the back of the packaged utility. Just after I left town, I noticed a traffic sign indicating that it is 60klms in Monkey Bay! We had to stand in the hot sun all the way, and next to us was a baggy bag with wet fish that was oozing with stinky mud on the floor.
Monkey bay
Here are all transport terminals. This is a small dusty city that is not of interest. From here you will catch one taxi disposal to Cape Maclear, which takes about 30 minutes along a bumpy road.
Cape maclear
We spent a few relaxing days at Mgoza Lodge, which has several mess-rooms overlooking the beach, and peacefully. The owners are very nice and the food they serve is also good. Despite the fact that we took medicines for malaria, Gavin, unfortunately, became infected with malaria. The owner sent Gavin to a local clinic where European doctors work, who bake his specific antibiotics, which cleared up the malaria for 3 days. We noticed that the coastline was covered with thousands of tiny snails that constantly washed ashore and decided not to enter the water.
Border Crossing - Malawi to Mozambique
After the signs say that minibuses depart from Lyonde to the Mozambican border, they will only take you to Mwanza. From there you have to take the 2nd minibus to Zobue at the border. In Zobue, guys with cars will take you to the border post in Mozambique for a small fee (they wait until you get a stamp from Malawi). The distance between the two border posts is about 8 km. Just before you reach the border post of Mozambique, the car will pick up a change of money. The guy gave us a good bet, as Gavin checked the internet at the current exchange rate.
Transport
To avoid the hassles that we had with minibus drivers, take the bus when it is possible (sometimes it is impossible). You may have to wait, but trust me, this is much better, as it will take you where you want to go!
