Jonathan has just come brack from our LM22 Trade Route tour and this is what he had to say.

The LM22 Trade Route is one of the most incredible tours, filled with variety!  One of the highlights for me is visiting Lake Malawi, previously known as Lake Nyasa. We go to the southern part of the lake camping right on the shore of the lake.  In the mornings there is a wind that comes off the lake, creating turbulent water and little waves (just like the ocean) but later on the weather calms and the sun shines and the days are beautiful.

One of the activities we do at Senga Bay is go into the nearby town where we visit a ocal school and get a chance to interact with excited, always smiling children.  The teachers are fantastic and explain how the school works and what school life is like.  This excursion really is joy.  There are always BIG smiles all round. The children in Malawi are so friendly and happy to see us, we hand out some much needed and appreciated pencils and writing materials which are always gladly received.

After the school visit we take a walk through the markets of Senga Bay, this is mostly a market town. The markets are the economy of this town, providing goods to the community by the community. It’s an African shopping mall, and so much more interesting than the concrete version you are used to at home. The woman as in many parts of Southern Africa wear a wrap - around skirt made of the local printed fabrics, very colourful and unique in design. On offer are beautifully ripened tomatoes, marog as we call it (wild spinach), papaya, sugar cane and various other vegetables as well as cassava. Our local guide explains where the produce comes from and the micro economics of the area. The fish stands are...interesting . Lake Malawi is well known for its bountiful kapenta, a small sardine like fish which is harvested on a commercial level as well as by the local fisherman. The stench of dried fish is pretty strong and flies buzz around as the fish is dried for preservation.  This is definitely an eye-opener for most people.  

The people we meet are sincerely friendly and welcome photographs, it is touching to feel their warmth and friendliness. Their laid back lifestyle and unpretentious demeanour is considered. Lake Malawi and the surrounding communities are a really special experience on this tour and will ignite a warm place in your hearts memory for a long time.

We end this day with a fish braai on the beach, watching the sunset, taking in all that is new with the waters of Lake Malawi lapping at our feet.  Life doesn’t get much better!