Apart from the legendary Malawian friendliness, what captures you first about this vivid coun-try is its geographical diversity. Slicing through the landscape is Africa’s third­largest lake: Lake Malawi, a shimmering mass of clear water, its depths swarming with colourful fish.

• kayak across bottle-green Lake Malawi from ultra-chilled Cape Maclear to Mumbo Is-land
• maps
• search for reintroduced lions in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi’s only Big Five park
• transport
• scramble up the twisted peaks of Mt Mulanje and admire the astounding views
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Lilongwe, Northern Malawi, Karonga, Livingstonia, Nyika National Park, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, Mzuzu, Nkhata Bay, Likoma Island, Chizu-mulu Island, Central Malawi, Viphya Plateau, Nkhotakota, Senga Bay, Monkey Bay, Cape Maclear, Southern Malawi, Liwonde, Zomba, Zomba Plateau, Blantyre & Limbe, Mulanje, Majete Wildlife Reserve, Understand Malawi, Malawi Today, History, Culture, The Arts, Natural Envi-ronment, Survival Guide.

Mozambique beckons with its coastline and swaying palms, its traditions, its cultures, its vibe and its opportunities for adventure. This enigmatic southeast African country is well off most trav-ellers’ maps, but it has much to offer those who venture here.

• discover Mozambique Island’s time-warp atmosphere, cobbled streets and fascinating his-tory
• maps
• get to know Maputo, Mozambique’s waterside capital, with its museums and lively sidewalk cafes
• transport
• explore the islands of Quirimbas Archipelago, especially magical Ibo with its old fort and crumbling mansions
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Maputo & Around, Inhaca Island, Marracuene & Macaneta Beach, Southern Mozambique, Ponta d’Ouro & Ponta Malongane, Bilene, Limpopo National Park, Xai-Xai, Inhambane, Tofo, Tofinho, Barra, Maxixe, Massinga & Morrungulo, Pom-ene, Vilankulo, Bazaruto Archipelago, Central Mozambique, Beira, Gorongosa National Park, Chimoio, Manica, Chimanimani Mountains, Tete, Cahora Bassa Dam & Songo, Caia, Quelimane, Mocuba, Gurúè, Northern Mozambique, Nampula, Mozambique Island & Around, Cuamba, Lichinga, Lake Niassa, Niassa Reserve, Montepuez, Pemba, Murrébuè, Quirimbas Archipelago, Moçimboa da Praia, Mueda, Palma, Understand Mozambique, Mozambique Today, History, Cui-sine, The Arts, Natural Environment, Survival Guide.

This chapter contains the Welcome to Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi’s Top 12, Need to Know, If You Like…, Month by Month, Itineraries, and Countries at a Glance chapters from Lonely Planet’s Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi guidebook.

Your journey to Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on the best places to see wildlife.

• tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
• list of highlights and best experiences
• everything you need to know about chilled out beach escapes or offbeat adventure trav-el
• user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Welcome to Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi’s Top 12, Need to Know, If You Like: Wildlife, Beaches, Chilling Out, His-tory & Culture, Landscapes & Nature, Adventure & Offbeat Travel, Month by Month, Itineraries, and Countries at a Glance.

This chapter contains the Health and Language chapters from Lonely Planet’s Zambia, Mozambique & Malawi guidebook.

All the info you need on everything from insurance and vaccinations to malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever... you name it, as well as handy language guide and glossary.

Coverage includes: Health and Language.

Taking its place alongside the Pyramids and the Serengeti, Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s original blockbusters. And although Zimbabwe and Zambia share it, Victoria Falls is a place all of its own.

• take in the full force of the falls with unobstructed views in Victoria Falls National Park
• maps
• experience the Devil’s Pool, the world’s most extreme infinity pool
• transport
• tame Grade-5 rapids whitewater rafting along the Zambezi
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Zambia, Livingstone, Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls.

Adventures undertaken in Zambia will lead you deep into the bush where animals, both predators and prey, wander through unfenced camps, where night-time means swapping stories around the fire and where the human footprint is nowhere to be seen.

• bushwalk like a detective following the tracks of wild animals in South Luangwa National Park
• maps
• paddle a canoe down the mighty Zambezi River past pods of hippos, menacing-looking crocs and thirsty elephants
• transport
• spot leopards in Kafue National Park, where wildlife dreams unfold amid stunning land-scapes
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Lusaka, Eastern Zambia, Chipata, South Luangwa National Park, North Luangwa National Park, Southern Zambia, Chirundu, Lower Zambezi Na-tional Park, Lake Kariba, Choma, Lochinvar National Park, Western Zambia, Kafue National Park, Mongu, Liuwa Plain National Park, Senanga, Ngonye Falls, Sesheke, Northern Zambia, Serenje, Kasanka National Park, Bangweulu Wetlands, Samfya, Mutinondo Wilderness, Mpika, Shiwa Ng’andu, Kasama, Mbala, Lake Tanganyika, Kalambo Falls, The Copperbelt, Kapiri Mposhi, Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola, Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, Understand Zambia, Zambia Today, History, Way of Life, Environment, Survival Guide.