USEFUL INFO - NORTH - RUMPHI
Attractively ringed by wooded hills on the north bank of the fast-flowing South Rukuru River, the small town of Rumphi (population 30,000) is the administrative capital of the eponymous district and main commercial centre for its declining tobacco industry. Of little inherent interest to visitors, the town nevertheless attracts a steady trickle of tourist traffic as the main springboard for visits to Nyika and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve.
As far as travel practicalities go, most essentials are to be found in Rumphi. In addition to a few resthouses and restaurants, it boasts a reasonably well-stocked People’s Supermarket, a busy market, a Bank with ATM, a Bp filling station and internet access at Matunkha, respectively providing Nyika and Vwaza bound travellers with a last opportunity to stock up on groceries, but fresh vegetables and fruit, draw money, fuel up or check email. That said, be warned that all these facilities are inferior or less reliable than their counterparts in Mzuzu, so best to take care of what business you can there, and treat Rumphi as a last-gasp fallback.
Accommodation
If you require any further details with regards to accommodation please email wawamalawi@africamail.com and we will happily recommend a place.
What to see in Rumphi
Lizard Island
This small rocky island, which lies of Livingstonia Beach Hotel, has a dense population of monitor lizards and is also a breeding ground for large numbers of white-breasted cormorants. Trips to the Lizard Island could easily be organised with tour guides from the near village in Senga Bay, which could be enjoyed with a fish bbq.
Getting There and Away
Rumphi lies about 65km north of Mzuzu, and 75km from the M1, along a surfaced side road that follows the South Rukuru River westward before crossing a major bridge about 2km out of town. Minibuses between Mzuzu and Rumphi leave regularly in either direction on a fill-up-and-go basis, and cost Mk400. Buses between Mzuzu and Laronga also generally divert to Rumphi. A daily bus connects Rumphi with Mzimba via Vwaza Marsh, and there are also a fair number of matola heading this way.
Briggs, P. (2010). Rumphi. In: Briggs, P Malawi. 5th ed. Connecticut: Bradt. p273 – 274
