As we travel up along the Lake, we discover that Malawi has more and more beauty to unveil. Upon arrival in Salima yesterday, we were lead by local hand to an oasis tucked within the Lake and rural surroundings. Our next sanctuary called Cool Runnings, and the name said it all. We were welcomed with affordable camping on a lush green lawn beneath shady trees overlooking the Lake. Owned by another Zimbabwean lady, Samantha, one finds that the place lives up to it’s full potential because her own handiwork is seen everywhere.
A very cool bar stocked with local and international drinks and snacks, a pretty lounge providing all sorts of entertainment, satellite TV, games that one can play and many books to read out on the lazy chairs overlooking the lake, if you don’t feel like catching rays on her very clean “beachfront”.
Cool Runnings serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and the menus are made up on a day to day basis according to ingredient availability. There are good cooking facilities available with gas and a braai area, as well as warm water showers if you prefer and a handy bathtub for doing your washing.
Currently we are residing in Senga Bay which is a 20minute drive from the main town, Salima. A distant walk means that you have to take the mini bus into town at 150 Kwacha per ride. But they are frequent, so that is good and easy.
From the main road in Senga Bay you walk through the market place to reach Cool Runnings, and there you’ll find fruit and vegetables, cooking oil, charcoal and basics, but other food and services are in Salima.
We’ve learnt some cool facts about Lake Malawi and would love to share these with you; known as the Calendar Lake, Lake Malawi is 365miles from top to bottom. Its widest point is 52miles, and 12 main rivers flow into it.
Lake Malawi contains around 1000 species of fresh water tropical fish and is seen as an inland ocean. It is the third largest lake in Africa, and ninth largest in the world. Makes one realize why people flock here and always come back.
It is the key to many days of entertainment and every time we reach a new part, it feels like a whole new world. The water colour differs; the surroundings and beachfronts are whiter and softer in some areas, and coarser in others.
Water clarity also changes which make visibility in some parts more clear.
Cheerio!
Accommodation Rates: Cool Runnings Campsite: 500 Kwacha per person per night for camping.
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