Malawian adventurer and nature explorer Mervis Mwai Maigwa, popularly known as Travel With Mervis, has set social media abuzz after sharing captivating photos from her exploration of Mumbo Island in Lake Malawi.

Among the images, one photo showcasing her striking figure drew significant attention, sparking conversations online.

In her post, Mervis wrote about her thrilling solo adventure on the island, saying:

“That one time I went on a solo exploration of the trails on Mumbo Island and almost got stung by friends of bees (mavu) in the cave.”

Mumbo Island, nestled within Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated for its untouched beauty, clear turquoise waters, and abundant biodiversity. Known for its eco-friendly approach, the island boasts no permanent structures or electricity. Visitors are treated to simple yet comfortable accommodations that seamlessly blend with the natural surroundings.

The island offers a range of activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking through lush trails and rocky terrain, and exploring caves. Its crystal-clear waters are home to colorful cichlid fish, found only in Lake Malawi, making it a hotspot for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.

Mervis’ photos and vibrant storytelling have not only highlighted the island’s breathtaking scenery but also inspired many to consider eco-tourism and explore Malawi’s natural treasures. Mumbo Island remains a perfect destination for those seeking tranquility, adventure, and a deep connection with nature.

Her post has sparked increased interest in the island, underscoring the allure of Malawi’s hidden gems.

Photos:

The Kandewe Suspension Bridge in Rumphi, is a tourist attraction of historical significance of Malawi.

The pedestrian bridge, believed to have been established around 1904, remains operational today, with maintenance and upkeep overseen by the surrounding villages and communities as part of the Kandewe cultural heritage.

The bridge was constructed from a combination of wood branches, bamboo, vines, and steel ropes, the bridge spans the South Rukuru River in Northern region of Malawi.

The bridge is under Kandewe Heritage Center, Bale, Rumphi, Situated along the M1 road at Bale, Phwezi, Kandewe village which was initially settled by the Phoka communities, predominantly descended from the Nyika Plateau.

Meanwhile, other ethnic groups, including the Henga Tumbuka and minorities from across Malawi, have joined the Phoka people in the area.

Here Are some shots captured at the bridge courtesy of Adventures with Colby

See Photos

Kandewe Suspension Bridge In Rumphi Malawi

The minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule has introduced a new dancing challenge tagged ‘Ipatse Moto’ as way of promoting tourism industry in the country.

Kamtukule, has already started doing the challenge as she showcased her traditional dancing skills.

In video the minister has shared in her X (formerly twitter) page, she is dancing Malipenga and Beni together with RnB Musician Bucci who happens to be her choreographer.

However, Kamtukule has invited everyone to join the challenge saying tourism in Malawi is more than Lake and Mountains Malawi has, traditional dances can also use to boost tourism in the country.

“Do this exact dance with the same song and post on your social media handles and stand a chance of winning amazing prizes”, said Kamtukule.

Meanwhile, those who willing to join the challenge are advised to tag minister’s social media handle, Tourism Malawi hashtag Ipatsemoto, #Tiziyambandife, #everythingtourisim

A bear has killed a 62-year-old hunter by crushing his skull after the man shot the beast.

According to Interfax news agency, the unnamed hunter is believed to have shot and wounded the bear from a platform in a tree in the Tulun district of Irkutsk region in Russia.

Believing the brown bear was dead, the hunter got down from the tree only to be attacked and killed by the bear.

The bear died soon after

Graphic pictures show the man’s body lying near the bear’s carcass.

“When a 62-year-old man climbed down, the mortally wounded bear attacked and killed him,” reported Interfax.

“The carcass of the animal was found 50 metres from the place where the man died.”

Archaeologists from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have unearthed evidence of the earliest known buildings in the UAE and the middle east region dating back more than 8,500 years.

The discovery by Archeologists on the island of Ghagha, west of Abu Dhabi city, revealed stone structures offering further compelling history of the UAE.

The Department of culture and tourism Abu Dhabi archaeologists say the most extraordinary discovery was revealed by carbon-14 analysis of charcoal fragments, which indicates the structures are at least 8,500 years old breaking the previous record for the earliest known structures built in the UAE, which were discovered on Marawah Island.

It was previously thought that long-distance maritime trade routes, which developed during the Neolithic period, preempted fmsettlements in the area, but the latest discoveries prove that Neolithic settlements existed prior to the onset of trade, which means it was local economic and environmental conditions that led to the first settled life in what is now the United Arab Emirates.

Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “These archaeological finds have shown that people were settling and building homes here 8,500 years ago. The discoveries on Ghagha island highlight that the characteristics of innovation, sustainability and resilience have been part of the DNA of the inhabitants of this region for thousands of years. The finds reinforce an appreciation of history, as well as the deep cultural connections between the people of the UAE and the sea. We are also reminded that there is still much to discover across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and that it is vitally important we continue working to discover, preserve and protect our invaluable heritage for current and future generations to learn more about our ancestral past.”

The structures that have been uncovered are simple round rooms, the walls of which are made from stone and preserved to nearly one metre in height. The rooms were likely houses for a small community who may have lived on the island year-round. Hundreds of artefacts were found in the rooms, including finely worked stone arrowheads that would have been used for hunting.

How long the settlement existed is unknown by Archeologists, but after it was abandoned, it apparently remained an important part of the cultural landscape, as nearly 5,000 years ago a person was buried in the ruins of the structures.

Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of Enlighten Christian Gathering (ECG) Church has ventured in tourism promotion barely a year after escaping South Africa.

The development comes barely months after some Malawians asked President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to consider engaging Bushiri as Tourism Ambassador.

The call followed Bushiri’s Salima church service which attracted worshipers from across the world.

Yesterday, Bushiri shared beautiful pictures of Lake Malawi on his official Facebook.

Writing on his official facebook page Bushiri’s Public Relations Officer Ephraim Nyondo hailed the Prophet for promoting the tourism sector in the country.

“Prophet Bushiri shares beatific pictures of Lake Malawi on his page which has over 4.3 million followers across the world.

“If this is not promoting the beauty of Malawi to attract tourists, then what is it?

“Malawi to the world!” wrote Nyondo.

Meanwhile, many Malawians have applauded Bushiri for the gesture.

This is the moment a bull elephant on musth – when its testosterone levels can reach 60 times greater than normal – decided to get closely acquainted with a parked hatchback.

The two terrified occupants of this VW Polo found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time as a giant elephant stooped down to rub itself against the vehicle’s roof and bonnet.

The incredible images were taken by Armand Grobler, 21, a field guide and lodge manager, in Pilanesburg National Park in South Africa.

The elephant was thought to have been on musth – a period of time in which its testosterone levels skyrocket

There were two people inside the car at the time the massive bull elephant started playing with it

He said: ‘I was doing ethology – the study of animal behaviour – at the time, so I had a basic understanding of what was going on.

‘The elephant was presumably on musth, which is a time that an elephant male has an excess amount of testosterone, turning even the calmest Dumbo into a r.aging bull.

‘Yet even though it was in this condition, it displayed no signs of a.gg.ression or frustration and was in a more playful mood.’

Elephants frequently use logs, small trees and rocks to relieve an itch or remove p.arasites – but with the car so close to hand, it was a chance too good to pass up.

Mr Grobler added: ‘We were unsure of what to do in the situation when the elephant made contact with the car, and when the car was being c.rushed, we feared for the lives of the driver and passenger but our efforts were very limited as to what we could do.

‘The all-round emotion that was within our vehicle, as we watched in h.orror, was that we were rushed with adrenaline yet t.errified and helpless.

After the elephant had finished the car was left with four blown tires and a broken chassis

The photos were taken by Armand Grobler, a field guide and lodge manager in Pilanesburg, South Africa

‘The two passengers in the car, male and female, both in late 20’s or early 30’s, were not h.armed, only badly shaken up. They were both in s.hock but happy to be alive.

‘The car was not so lucky. From what we could see and hear, all the windows were smashed, the roof was badly dented and the entire top part of the car smashed.

‘All four tyres had been blo.wn and the chassis broken.’

As for the elephant, after giving itself a good scratch, it continued on its way itch-free – oblivious to the des.tr.uction it had left behind

As part of its ambitious efforts to attract tourists from across the world, Saudi Arabia has announced plans to turn an abandoned offshore oil platform into an oil-themed extreme theme park.

Named ‘The Rig’, the upcoming offshore theme park is part of the Saudi Vision 2030’s strategy, which aims to diversify the country’s economy and boost its tourism industry in particular. The 1.6 million-square-foot extreme theme park will feature roller-coaster rides, submarines, bungee jumping, and sky diving, among other adrenaline-inducing amenities, as well as three hotels and 11 restaurants across The Rig’s interconnected platforms.

“This project is a unique tourism attraction, expected to attract tourists from around the world,” Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) said in a statement, adding that The Rig aims to “provide a multitude of hospitality offerings, adventures, and aquatic sporting experiences.”

Tourists will be able to reach The Rig by helicopter, and via a superyacht marina with 50 berths. I guess that’s a pretty good indication that this is not an attraction for frugal adrenaline junkies…

Touted as the “world’s biggest offshore multipurpose structure,” as well as the “world’s first tourism destination inspired by offshore oil platforms,” The Rig has been getting a lot of attention, despite being bing in the early development stage.

A completion date for the project has not been announced yet, but Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has published several high-quality digital renditions, as well as an impressive video showcasing what The Rig may end up looking like.

Malawians have converged on a tourist’s facebook page to rebuff allegations made against their treasury Lake Malawi.

The tourist, who owns a Facebook page by the name On Her Bike, posted on Wednesday that she contracted Bilharzia followed by other infections after swimming in Lake Malawi when she visited the country.

“I haven’t had a good run with my health for the last couple of months. One issue led to another…It started with Bilharzia (as a result of swimming in Lake Malawi) which led to a bladder infection, followed by a urinary tract infection, and on top of that I got the shingles,” she posted.

However, the post did not go well with many Malawians who think her health complications have no link to swimming in Lake Malawi.

The tourist was quickly lambasted by many Malawians including known celebrities like Gwamba.

In disagreeing with her, Gwamba commented, “Thousands of people have posted about swimming in lake Malawi before, you are the first one to ever get shingles. Perhaps it’s not Lake Malawi? Perhaps you had the infection already before visiting Malawi”?

Another angry Malawian, Joy Mumderanji Chinyama commented, “You lost your health somewhere else. Not because of the beautiful waters of Lake Malawi. That lake is our treasure don’t talk bad about it….Bilharzia, Urinary track infection plus shingles, you are blaming it all on Lake Malawi? Go and have a blood test. Don’t come to Malawi again.”

Also defending Lake Malawi was radio 2FM’s veteran DJ Mike C saying, “Bilharzia? in Lake Malawi? Did u get the Lake Malawi water tested? And the shingles? Your story is not adding up……Mwadwalikatu Chemwa”.

According to the overall comments, it showed there was indeed no way the tourist could’ve contracted the infections in the way she described.

Lake Malawi is the ninth largest lake in the world. It is a fresh water lake and forms most of the eastern border between Malawi and Mozambique. The lake is the third largest lake in Africa. Its maximum depth is some 704 metres (2310 feet), making it the fourth deepest lake in the world.

Lake Malawi is a meromictic lake, meaning that its water layers do not mix.

Construction of a huge statue of Jesus Christ is underway in a small town in southern Brazil, and it will be even taller than its famous counterpart in Rio de Janeiro.

The “Christ the Protector” statue is being built in Encantado, in Brazil’s southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, by a local organization named Friends of Christ Association (AA Cristo).

According to AA Cristo, the statue is made of steel and concrete, and it is expected to stand at 43 meters (141 feet) tall, 16 feet taller than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer costing around $353,000 (K277, 105,000) when completed.

The organization revealed that the statue will be the third-tallest statue of Jesus in the world, after a 249-foot statue currently under construction in Mexico and a 172-foot monument in Poland.

“It will be a glass opening from where people will be able to film and photograph the valley,” head project supervisor Artur Lopes de Souza said on the AA Cristo website.

An elevator installed inside the statue will take tourists to a lookout at the height of Christ’s heart.

Meanwhile, AA Cristo acknowledged the statue is the work of sculptor Genésio Gomes Moura and his son, Markus Moura while appealing to the public for donations to finish the project.

Its head and arms were installed on April 6 and the construction, which began in July 2019, should be finished by the end of this year, according to AA Cristo

The aim is to boost tourism in the area, which is close to Brazil’s borders with Uruguay and Argentina.

The Christ the Redeemer statue has looked down upon the city of Rio de Janeiro for almost 90 years and is one of Brazil’s most famous tourist attractions.

The Greek island of Rhodes is home to a special biome called Petaloudes Valley, or the Valley of Butterflies, after the millions of endemic moths that cover almost every surface during the summer months.

Located on the western side of Rhodes Island, about 10 kilometers from 10 km from the airport and 25 km from Rhodes City, Petaloudes Valley hosts the only natural forest of Oriental Sweetgum trees (Liquidambar orientalis) in Europe. It’s the scent given off by these trees that attracts an endemic subspecies of Jersey Tiger moths called Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis; huge numbers of moths congregate in this small valley, covering almost every visible surface almost as a living blanket.

Every year, the spectacular migration of the Jersey Tiger moth to Petaloudes Valley begins around the end of May, after the rainy season, as the Jersey Tiger moths emerge from their caterpillar form. Attracted by the aroma of Oriental Sweetgum trees, they make their way along the island’s waterways, traveling dozens of kilometers towards the valley they helped name (petaloudes means ‘butterflies’ in Greek).

Once they reach their destination, the swarms of butterflies begin to cover everything, from the lush foliage to rocks of all shapes and sizes. They prefer to sleep on the shady sides of trees or around the roots, and tourists are advised to admire the surreal views in silence, as loud noises can disturb the butterflies.

Keeping quiet is more than a simple curtesy to the Jersey Tiger moth, as startling the tiny fliers and forcing them to fly more than they need to is a sure way to render the entire subspecies extinct. That’s because the butterflies don’t have stomachs, which renders them unable to feed. They survive on the fat deposits they store during their caterpillar stage, so they need to save up their energy.

Startling the moths and causing them to fly off, can cause them to exhaust their energy reserves before they can reproduce, which can have a disastrous impact on colonies. In fact, due to the large number of tourists that visit the Valley of Butterflies every year, the endemic Jersey Tiger moth population has been greatly affected. Hopefully, the decrease in tourism caused by the Covid-19 pandemic can help the colonies recover.

As the official Valley of Butterflies website explains, many visitors ignore the advice of staff and tour guides, and clap or whistle just to see the swarms of butterflies take flight. It’s an impressive sight, indeed, as the flapping of their wings allows viewers to see the orange of their underwings, but it is nothing short of animal cruelty.

“The clapping and whistling produce ultrasonic sounds similar to those of bats,” the Petaloudes Valley websitereads. “The butterflies feel threatened and try to escape frightened. Many of them die from shock or from depletion in their attempt to escape or even by crashing on rocks and trees. It is also important for them to stay still on the trees because they must keep their strength for their long journey in September.”

After enjoying the cool, humid habitat of Petaloudes Valley during the hot summer months, the moths mate in late August and September. The women then leave the valley, travelling great distances in search of dark and safe places to lay their eggs in, before their natural life cycle ends. Then, as the rain season ends the next year, a new generation of Jersey Tiger moths emerges, and the cycle repeats itself.

While not of the same scale as Mexico’s Butterfly Forest, the Valley of Butterflies is definitely one of the must-see natural phenomena for lepidopterists and butterfly enthusiasts in general.

The world’s oldest known wild bird, Wisdom the albatross has hatched a chick at the age of 70, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

The USFWS announced that the Laysan albatross hatched the chick on 1 February in a wildlife refuge in the North Pacific Ocean.

Laysan albatrosses usually only live for 12-40 years. But Wisdom was first identified by researchers in 1956.

Although Wisdom hatched her chick in February, the birth – which took place in the Midway Atoll national wildlife refuge, in a US minor outlying island in the North Pacific – has only been reported this week.

“Wisdom laid her egg sometime during the last few days of November,” the USFWS wrote in its statement announcing the new arrival.

“Soon after, Wisdom returned to sea to forage and her mate Akeakamai took over incubation duties. Albatross parents share incubation duties and once the chick hatches, share feeding duties.”

The father of the chick is Wisdom’s partner, Akeakamai, who she has been with since 2012, US wildlife officials said.

Albatrosses usually mate for life, but it wildlife officials believe Wisdom had other partners in the past that are now dead.

The USFWS believes she has had at least 30 to 36 chicks in her lifetime which is remarkable because Albatrosses only hatch one egg every few years.

The steppes of Kazakhstan’s Almaty region are not the most inviting place, especially in winter time, but one unusual phenomenon has been attracting a lot of tourists there lately.

Located between the villages of Kegen and Shyrganak in the middle of a snow-covered plateau is a 14-meter-high ice tower that continuously spouts water which turns to ice almost instantly. The unique structure looks like a miniature volcano, only instead of hot lava, it spouts water. The sight has become popular both among locals, but also Instagram fans and influencers looking for special backgrounds for their social media posts.

According to a recent Instagram post, the ice volcano is the result of an underground spring that spouts water all year-round. In the summer, it causes a green vegetation bloom for tens of meters around it, but in winter time, when temperatures drop below zero, the water freezes creating the ice volcano cone. It continues to spray water all around, creating a natural ice-rink.

Photos and videos of the ice volcano in Almaty recently went viral on social media, attracting large numbers of visitors to the otherwise barren steppes, some of whom drove for several hours just to see the weird natural formation in person.

Interestingly, locals say that this is the first year that the volcano actually gushes water, as in previous years there was only, a smaller, empty ice cone.

“Last year there were no such water sprays spurting upwards like a fountain, but only an empty cone,” local girl Samal Zhainak told Tengri Travel.

The ice volcano is four hours away from the Kazakh capital city of Nur-Sultan, formerly Astana.

Zimbabwe – Game Rangers and a professional hunter on Tuesday shot and killed a stray lion that had terrorised the farming community of Triangle since January 15.

Faceofmalawi has established from Masvingo based publication Tell Zim that agro-business giant Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ) hired a professional hunter to assist its Game Rangers to hunt down the marauding lion.

Rangers Gun Down Stray Lion That Killed Four Cattle In Triangle: Sergeant Mavhuni with the dead lion (Photo credit Tell Zim)

It is believed that the lion was first spotted on the 15th of January at Triangle business centre and since then villagers and workers of Section 8 had been living in fear.

According to an internal memo issued by Tongaat Hulett dated January 15, 2020, the company advised its employees and members of the public to be on the lookout for a stray lion.

Employees and all members of the community are strongly advised to keep away from the hill and avoid unnecessary outdoor movement on foot within the Triangle Area until the animal has been accounted for, reads part of the memo.

THZ Game Rangers led by Sergeant Muvhuni then started to track down the lion which had killed four cows in the area.

With continual rains making it difficult for the rangers to track down the lion, THZ then hired a professional hunter to assist them.

After joining Sergeant Muvhuni’s team the professional hunter took less than 24 hours to track down the predator.

According to Tell Zim’s source, the hunter was forced to kill the lion fearing that he could lose it in the rains.

The lion was killed at around 1900hours at plot number 1801 of section 26. They feared to lose track of it due to rains so they decided to kill it before it could take any human life, said the source.