CNN says Lake Malawi among dare to go places

The magnificent body of water that is known as Lake Malawi seems to draw visitors under its spell, new entrants to this list being none other than international news channel CNN.

In an article published on its website on Tuesday, CNN touts Lake Malawi as one of the 10 Dare To Go places in the world.

This comes barely a month after CNN also cited Lake of Stars Music Festival as one of the top seven music festivals in Africa and barely a week after the revered news channel touted the aerial view of Mulanje Mountain as one of the eight best aerial experiences in Africa.

In its recent declaration, CNN describes Lake Malawi as “an unspoiled retreat”.

“Overlooked for more popular destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, Malawi has its share of pristine scenery, wildlife reserves and natural landscapes—and you’ll have more of it to yourself.

“Serene and friendly, it’s an easy place to visit. The trend here, say tour companies, is to rent a car and drive yourself through the southeastern African nation’s forests, rolling plains, mountains and wetlands. The slim landlocked country stretches about 520 miles from north to south,” the article reads.

The article, published on CNN’s travel sub-domain, notes that Malawi’s crowning jewel is Lake Malawi, a giant freshwater lake that lies on a stretch of the northeastern border.

“The lake, also called Lake Nyasa, occupies one-fifth of the country’s total area and is its lifeblood. Its beaches are golden and the waters are usually nearly empty. Remember your sun protection—the sun shines powerfully in Malawi, especially during the dry season from May to November.”

According to CNN, there is something in it for science lovers as the lake boasts up to 1 000 fish species, more than any other lake in the world.

“Nearly all of the fish species are endemic. Declared a Unesco heritage site, the water is remarkably clear and perfect for freshwater snorkeling and diving. If fish aren’t your thing, the lake also draws a variety of bird species, as well as hippos, warthogs, baboons and occasional elephants.

“Another appeal of Malawi is the friendliness exuded here. Locals wave at you readily, and many will strike up conversations. For a well-worn traveler, this may at first arouse suspicion, but the people are genuinely warm and curious about foreigners,” it reads.

CNN says Malawi is called the “Warm Heart of Africa” for a reason.

“People want to chat. Where are you from? Is this your first time in Malawi? Enjoy the opportunity to engage, as English is one of the major languages. Since the country’s founding in 1964, there has never been a civil war in Malawi. It’s considered a safe and very welcoming place to visit. Consider combining two of Malawi’s best assets – the people and the lake – at one of Africa’s most respected festivals.

“The tourism minister once skydived into the Lake of Stars festival, where Malawian music fuses with styles including Swedish electronic dance music. The 2014 festival is scheduled for September 26-28. If it’s wildlife you’re after, there are safaris. Wildlife reserves are stepping up conservation, restocking animals and getting into the Big Five game (elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, buffalo).”

Malawi is the only African country on the list, the others being Bolivia, Mongolia, Idaho, Romania, Cape Breton in Canada, Arctic Circle, Bhutan, Northland in New Zealand and Space.

An introduction to the article explains that the 10 places have been picked based on what CNN are well worth a stop on a global adventure.

“Choose a bold, unspoiled escape: a high mountain haven in Asia, or a pristine lake in a sliver of Africa. Follow in the footsteps of nomads and warriors. Meet people carrying on ancient traditions. We won’t send you into war zones or jumping out of airplanes. But we haven’t ignored thrill-seeking altogether (blasting off to space is still on the table).

“Mostly, though, we invite you to venture to overlooked, lesser-known or emerging spots. We’ll give you a bird’s-eye view of countries often overshadowed by their flashier neighbors. And we’ll take a deeper dive into less-familiar regions of places that see their fair share of tourists. From the planet’s northernmost pinnacle to a South American salt desert, we dare you to go somewhere different,” it reads.