Livingstonia

A Scottish mission town on the cliff top of Lake Malawi's rift, with a stone house museum, Manchewe Falls and a cliff-edge eco-lodge overlooking the lake.

Livingstonia lies in Rumphi District in northern Malawi, on the top of the rift escarpment on the western shore of Lake Malawi, at an elevation of about 1,300 meters, roughly 800 meters above the lake. In 1894 the Scottish Free Church moved its mission station from the malaria-ridden lakeshore to this cool plateau, in honour of the explorer Livingstone. There it built a church, hospital, school and workshops, creating a red-brick 'Scottish town'. Today it remains an education centre in northern Malawi and is home to Livingstonia University. The main sights are in the town and along the cliff edge. The Stone House Museum, the mission church famous for its stained-glass windows and the old town buildings can be walked in half a day. Manchewe Falls, about 125 meters high, lies below the town and takes 2–3 hours round-trip on foot. The eco-camp on the cliff edge is the best place to watch the sunrise over Lake Malawi. The winding Goldie zigzag road up the escarpment is an experience in itself, and many people choose to walk up from the lakeside village of Chitimba. Plan 2-3 nights. The dry season from May to November is best, with good roads and clear views. From December to April, the rainy season makes roads muddy and may cut access.

Getting there: From Mzuzu it is about 2 hours north to Chitimba, then about 15 kilometers of steep dirt road up the hill. This requires a 4x4, or a local pickup or motorbike taxi, or a 3–4 hour hike. There is also a route from the Rumphi side. Banking and shopping are limited in town, so bring enough Malawian kwacha and malaria prevention supplies. Nyika National Park lies to the west and is another base.

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