As the season comes to an end on reflection this has been the best year ever, rave reviews from guests, agents and the press confirm Kaya Mawa as not just a top Malawian destination but a top African destination. This would only be possible with the outstanding management and fabulously loyal island staff. Next year is already looking to be even better with the introduction of kiteboarding and an in-house therapist to soothe away the mainland stress. So with the festive season upon us we all wish you a very Happy Christmas and a fabulous New Year.

As bouts of rain fall over Liwonde, Mvuu's elephants are forming migratory herds and calves of various ages (including newborns) can be seen. Game viewing this festive season will be cool, comfortable and extremely interesting as the park's dynamics shift due to the rains. Intriguing activity can be expected as many bushbuck, warthogs and impala are giving birth to their young. A treat for our keen birders: We've spotted the hybrid eggs of a Blacksmith Lapwing and Spur-winged Lapwing's offspring which bred with a Spur-winged Lapwing and we're expecting them to hatch by next month.
Christmas and New Year's in the Wilderness: Delicious Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners, decadent lunches, vibrant local entertainment and a variety of activities will be available at Mvuu Camp, Mvuu Lodge, Chintheche Inn, Chelinda Camp and Chelinda Lodge this festive season. Wilderness Safaris would like to extend warm wishes this festive season to all.
Photo: The hybrid Lapwing eggs by Samuel Chihana

'We have had a couple of mega storms on the Lake, like I have never seen before! The whole sky lighting up like it was day light. The locals are happy as their maize is starting to shoot through. The flowers that are coming through & the tress that are blossoming are beautiful & the scents that are coming off the trees when you walk around are breath taking. Although it is still very hot 'December' is starting to be my best month so far! The bird life is stunning especially on our dam the yellow weaver birds are busy making their nests before the rains start!
We have our Christmas tree up & are looking forward to a fun Christmas & New Year! And we would like to wish you all a happy one too.

Another successful year at Danforth! We've had great guests, wonderful comments and good times throughout 2011. We are well stocked and geared up for the busy festive season flourish of visitors to our area. The sun is shining, the gardens are manicured, the aromas from the kitchen hint at delicious treats to come, the bar is well stocked, Christmas lights are up, decorations are in place, touch up painting has been done and everything is looking ship shape. We are excited and ready to give our guests a fantastic lakeside Christmas holiday. Wishing one and all a happy festive season and a wonderful 2012 to follow!

We are opening up a whole new range of exciting itinerary options for 2012 with the introduction of Ulendo Airlink's new Scheduled Tourism Flights. Not only have we managed to reduce seat rates between Lilongwe and Likoma Island for next year but we have also introduced new routes linking LILONGWE - LIWONDE NATIONAL PARK - SATEMWA and SATEMWA - LIWONDE - LIKOMA ISLAND - NYIKA. Seat Rates will be available on Ulendo Airlink flights between Satemwa and Robin Pope Safaris' new Mkulumadzi Camp as well as daily seat rates from Likoma Island to Chelinda on the Nyika Plateau. Please have a look at our website www.flyulendo.com for details of routes and fares.

As a beautifully restored colonial house with only 5 suites, Huntingdon House is perfectly suited to families and small groups preferring exclusive villa rentals to traditional hotel and lodge accommodation. We are now offering exciting itineraries linking Robin Pope Safaris' Luangwa House, Kaya Mawa's new Ndomo Point House and Huntingdon House - 3 unique properties in 3 wonderfully different destinations. Guests enjoy private flights between these properties and experience the wildlife of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, the emerald green rolling hills of the Shire Highlands and the beautiful lakeshore tranquillity of Likoma Island.

If rhino could read newspapers they would retreat to the most impenetrable thickets and hide their horns from humans. Luckily (or not!) our Majete rhino seem to be less cautious of our presence and are being viewed by game drives more frequently of late. Guides and guests have enjoyed some magical encounters with these shy brutes. Mostly brief encounters but occasionally when wind, terrain and luck are in your favour a rhino may give in to its natural inquisitiveness and approach the vehicle for a closer inspection. The only shooting that takes place is the cameras and rhino and guests part on happy terms.

Hot chocolate in the highlands of Nyika this Christmas: Immerse yourself in the pristine highlands of Nyika National Park this Christmas and indulge in a luxurious wilderness experience at Chelinda Lodge. The beautifully appointed log-cabin styled pine chalets overlook the park's vast montane grasslands which are discreetly dotted with grazing roan antelope, zebra and bushbuck. The crisp fresh air and cool montane temperatures on the plateau are ideal for enjoying a steaming cup of hot chocolate beside a toasty fireplace in your chalet. If you don't want to miss out on the park's nocturnal inhabitants, enjoy that hot chocolate on an evening game drive seeking out the park's famous leopards (many of which are seen in the evenings from 7:00pm onwards). Often compared to being very much like the Scottish Highlands but in Africa, the Nyika is an iconic destination unlike any other in Malawi and on the continent.
Photo: Chelinda Lodge chalets by Dana Allen

Eat Mangos! Delicious sun ripened fruit are in abundance right now. Eat it whole, juice it, slice it, cook it... whatever way, enjoy Malawi's most bountiful harvest of fresh, juicy seasonal tropical fruit.