Day 29 Chilinda Camp

Up at 5.30 as of course sunrise is now an hour earlier but at least it meant we were on the road early.  The road quickly started to climb into the mountains which beautiful views back along the lake.  We stopped in Rumphi for money and tried to find a map in the bookshop, somehow we had managed to leave the Malawi map at home, but as we expected there is no requirement for maps here so we will have to make do with the small maps in the guidebook and the Satnav. The road soon turned to gravel after we left Rumphi and continued to climb for mile after mile.  We eventually reached the Nyika National Park entrance which meant we had 60 km to go before getting to our chalet for the night.  Ian generously offered to give a lady a lift to Chilinda (of course he did this when I was driving!).  The road from the gate turned into a complete dust bowl and I think the poor lady in the back probably wished she had waited for the next vehicle!

Having left Lake Malawi and turned right into the mountains we found that we had somehow actually ended up in Scotland –  rolling hills covered in bracken but unlike Scotland no rain.  Also in the 1950s the Brits thought it was a good idea to plant pine trees with the aim of using them for a paper mill (sponsored by British Paper Mills and Imperial Tobacco).  Clearly there was a Scottish influence as they also decided to populate the river with trout!   

Arriving at the camp we were surprised to find we had been upgraded to a two bedroom chalet with a guide, Gibson, and a cook, Isaac – not quite what we are used to.  We were also surprised to find out we had a variety of inclusive activities so we decided to go on a night game drive.  Before sunset we got to see lots of zebra, eland and rohan antelopes.  During the night drive itself we were really lucky to spot a civet, this was a first for us and it sat patiently whilst Ian photographed it.