Lilongwe, Malawi, ZIP Code: 207202
I have been staying in Lilongwe, a city in the African country of Malawi since I was three. My parents had moved here in mid 1990s due to work and now own a business here. My family hails from Gujarat in India and we stay in a close-knit Gujarati community here as well. Lilongowe happens to be the capital of Malawi.
I like the slow pace of life in the city compared to what I find in Ahmedabad whenever I have been there for family functions. But there are not many places to chill out like Ahmedabad here.
Old Town Mall
I mostly end up visiting the Old Town Mall. It’s a small shopping mart with some shops meant for buying gifts and souvenirs. I go there to while away in the eateries.
Another place that I am never bored of going is the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi. It houses over 90, 000 plant specimens including ferns, mosses, algae, mushrooms, and lichens amongst others. It’s like a data bank of Malawi’s plants species.
National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi
Going there is always a serene and educational experience with well-maintained walking paths amidst lush greenery and water bodies. We go there for picnics sometimes. Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is another place for family outings amidst nature.
I hardly go there but one of the important sites for those who are visiting Malawi is the World War I Memorial. We were often taken there on our school trips. This memorial is located next to the statue of Dr Hestings Kumuzu Banda, the first president of Malawi. The high tower provides the best viewing point of the entire city. The parliament building, stadium and a portion of the city can be seen from up there.
World War I Memorial behind the statue of Dr Hestings Kumuzu Banda
The city of Lilongwe offers some good restaurants and bars where we enjoy both local and international cuisine. The people are friendly. As I have been living here for long, I do not face any challenges and relate to the people and culture of the place.
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