Things to do in Lilongwe
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Nature Sanctuary
The Nature Sanctuary is an incredibly peaceful wilderness area by the Lingadzi River. Take a taxi here though; it's not safe to walk. There is a signposted network of walking trails, and the information centre lists the birds and animals that may be seen. There is also a small, and rather unpleasant 'zoo' area, which consists of a few precarious looking cages filled with mangy-looking hyenas, monkeys and crocs.
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Don Brioni's Bistro
Don Brioni' Usually buzzing with a lively infusion of locals and tourists, this place under the Kiboko Town Hotel is suitably Italian in décor and flavour and the eccentric English owner is sure to come over and chat. Excellent steak, fish, chicken accompany pizzas and pastas on the menu.
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Ali Baba's
's Fast-food joint serving good burgers and shawarmas, but with a smattering of chicken, steak and fish dishes.
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Tobacco Auction Floors
For a view of Malawi's economic heart, go to the public gallery overlooking the tobacco auction floors at the vast Auction Holdings warehouse about 7km north of the city centre, east of the main road towards Kasungu. This is best reached by taxi, but local minibuses serve the industrial area. The auction season is May to September.
Tobacco is Malawi's most important cash crop, accounting for more than 60% of the country's export earnings, and Lilongwe is the selling, buying and processing centre of this vital industry. Most activity takes place in the Kenango industrial area on the northern side of Lilongwe, the site of several tobacco-processing factories and the huge…
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Parliament Building
For a political view, head to the Parliament Building , which moved from Zomba in the mid-1990s to the palace of former president Banda on the outskirts of Lilongwe. At least this obscenely grandiose monstrosity is being used now - during Banda's rule he stayed here only one night.
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Old Town
In Old Town the streets near the market have several bottle stores, which are basic bars that play music loud and late. This area has a very hard edge, so go here only with a streetwise friend, enough money for an evening's supply of beer and nothing that you can't afford to lose.
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Summer Park
Behind Ali Baba's; choose from a small selection of sundaes, milkshakes, burgers and pizzas at the counter and then your choice is brought out to you in the large garden. Enormous yellow-striped awnings provide shade, and there's a constant stream of African pop hits.
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Market
The main market is a pocket of frenetic activity, with traders, market stalls and food vendors packed into a swarming, small area. It's also a good place to pick up cheap bootleg CDs from the dozens of little stores that line the streets immediately around the market.
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Green Bamboo Garden
This place, opposite the Lilongwe Hotel, serves great, fresh Chinese food (the stewed fish head in brown sauce is actually quite tasty); and for those of you who wish to exorcise your inner diva, there are three private rooms that have karaoke thrown in for free.
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Craft Market
There's a craft market outside the Old Town post office, where vendors sell everything from trinket woodcarvings, basketware and jewellery to traditional Malawi chairs. If you go late in the day you're likely to get a better deal.
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Africana Hotel
A lively place with a large outdoor patio that's popular with nearby office workers and government types. It's easy to make friends here and you're sure to strike up a conversation with one of the locals over a few beers.
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Old Town Mall
Old Town Mall houses a small corridor of shops including African Habitat, selling a variety of African arts and crafts, and Central Africana with an impressive selection of decorative and antique maps well worth framing.
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Lilongwe Golf Club
If you're the sporting type, Lilongwe Golf Club offers daily membership for USaround US$10. This allows you to enter the club, and use the bar or restaurant. To use the sports facilities there's a small extra charge.
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Harry's Bar
Harry' Above Bookmart, this circular bar has a relaxed atmosphere with a happy, mixed crowd of expats and locals. It's a popular meeting place, although Harry's taste in music can be atrociously cheesy.
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Café Delight
Serves Lebanese and Indian fast food, shawarmas, samosas and curries. The plastic tables overlooking the Total petrol station don't make this the most romantic of settings but the food is mighty tasty.
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Legends
This is a bar most evenings and a nightclub at weekends, where young expats and well-to-do Malawians mix it up in a happy and energetic atmosphere. The music is a fair blend of Western and African.
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Crossroads Complex
Crossroads Complex is Lilongwe's newest shopping area and houses banks, a swanky hotel, minigolf, a variety of upscale shops, supermarkets and services, and a branch of the South African Steers.
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Mamma Mia
A light and airy restaurant away from the maddening crowds, serving plenty of pizzas and pasta dishes as wells as tasty Lake Malawi chambo (a popular, bream-like variety of fish) and steaks.
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Tidye Restaurant
This is suitably stylish with exquisite dishes to match - it's all roast salmon and spiced guinea fowl here with not a chambo (a popular, bream-like variety of fish) or chip to be seen.
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Korea Garden Restaurant
Within the Korea Garden Lodge, this place serves a large selection of Korean meals including vegetarian options and bugolgi dishes. The food is plentiful if a little bland.
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Chameleon Bar
Swanky cocktail bar that has regular live events including the 'pillow talk' unplugged session on the last Thursday of every month, which welcomes poets, musicians and comedians.
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Bookmart
An excellent secondhand bookshop with a wide range of recent bestsellers, classics, and travel books. It also has a small coffee bar so you can have a latte while you browse.
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CIVO Stadium
Football matches are played at the CIVO Stadium , off Kamuzu Procession Rd, on Sunday, and at the Area 47 stadium. Look out for posters, or ask local fans for information.
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Diplomat Bar
Tiny little bar with a few outdoor tables overlooking the street. It gets lively at the weekends when it throngs with a mixed crowd of expats, backpackers and locals.
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Kiboko Safaris
Kiboko Safaris do an excellent half-day tour of Lilongwe, which incorporates both the tobacco auction floors, the Nature Sanctuary and the Parliament Building.
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