Things to see and do in Malawi

See Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital and largest town, established at the end of the 19th century. It is really two towns: Blantyre and Limbe, joined by a development corridor. Sights include the National Museum, St Michael and All Angels Church (associated with Dr David Livingstone) and Mandala House (the oldest European building in Malawi).

Visit the world's first freshwater national park and its renowned settings and attractions. Lake Malawi National Park, close to Monkey Bay, lies towards the southern extremity of the lake. Snorkelling or scuba-diving reveals tropical fish and further inland klipspringer, bushbuck and vervet monkeys can be seen.

Ride a horse on the Nyika Plateau, where safaris on horseback are popular, and on Zomba Plateau, where there is a dressage school.

See the 24,000 sq km (15,000 sq miles) lake that lies in the deep, trough-like rift valley, running the length of the country. Lake Malawi contains more fish than any other lake in the world and some of the rarest tropical fish are unique to it. Lake Malawi National Park was created in 1980 as the world's first freshwater national park. It can be found on the southern shore of Lake Malawi. The park encompasses a wide variety of scenery, ranging from the wooded rocky mountains sloping down to the shores of the lake, to sandy coves and beaches. The lush vegetation is home to a range of wildlife including many species of bird and fish. The clear blue waters of the lake are popular for snorkelling and scuba diving, as well as sailing, kayaking and swimming. Within the park, visitors can stay at lodges to enjoy traditional Malawian hospitality and fresh fish from the lake.

Spot the difference in the Lower Shire Valley. Because it is low lying, hotter and dominated by the great river which drains Lake Malawi, this part of the country looks and feels different. There are also vast sugar plantations to see at Sucoma.

Discover Mzuzu, the capital of the northern region. There are two game areas in the region: the beautiful and unique plateau of Nyika National Park and the Vwasa Marsh Wildlife Reserve. The famous Livingstonia Mission, with its interesting museum, is nearby.

Hike the Nyika Plateau, a popular attraction for trekking and walking. There is excellent walking on the Zomba and Viphya Plateaux and climbing on Mount Mulanje, which, at 3,000m (9,850ft), is the highest mountain in central Africa. Dedza, Michiru, Ndirande and Chiradzulu also offer challenging slopes.

Watch traditional dance, which plays a part in most ceremonies in Malawi. The Gule Wamkulu (performed by the Chewa and Mang'anja), with its heavily carved masks, feathers and skin paint, is an important dance in Malawian culture.