This is the location where Scottish missionaries who followed David Livingstone established a viable mission. It is high in the hills above the northern lakeshore.
Livingstonia Mission is located on Mt Waller which is 5000ft above the lake shore near Chilumba. Scottish Presbyterian missionaries following David Livingstone's footsteps across Africa built the mission here after previous sites on the lake shore proved unworkable due to high levels of malaria at the time. The site now is quite run down but the setting and sense of history here make it worth a visit for those interested in the colonial past.
The roads which access Livingstonia are remote and can be bad at times especially in the rains, but are amongst the most scenic in the country winding up and down hairpin bends from the lake shore.
Livingstonia is a tiny town based around the mission itself, the feeling is like that of Scotland, very quiet and restful with a Scottish style church. There is a post office, hospital and some small shops including Khondowe crafts made by local people. In The Stone House is a museum with exhibits of the European exploration and missionary work in Malawi.
Accommodation is limited here, there is The Old Stone House which was the original residence of Dr Robert Laws (a famous pastor of Livingstonia), the accommodation is very basic. Another option in the area is Lukwe Permaculture Camp which has simple chalets and a camping area and sits in quiet forest about 5km from the mission with views of the lake. The owners here are very friendly and helpful and grow their own organic produce for the dining room.
Manchawe Falls (which can be accessed from Lukwe or 4km walk from the town) is a spectacular 50m high waterfall with a cave at the rear where people used to hide from slave traders.
