Only 360€ per week!
Fishing Experience
Mangochi - Malawi
Join this unique program to experience life as a Malawian Fisherman (or woman!)
Enjoy an experience that you can truly say is once in a lifetime by joining a crew of fishermen based in Malawi. You’ll be assisting them in their daily activities around Lake Malawi, a beautiful African Great Lake and UNESCO heritage site located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Program
Living
Mangochi
Malawi
Program Description
In this program you will be part of a Malawian fishing crew!
The local villagers along the great Lake Malawi have depended on it for many generations to provide them food and income. This huge lake is also known as lake Nyassa and it is considered the jewel in the crown of Malawi.
It is a freshwater lake surrounded by beaches of golden sand and is very scenic, providing sun, sand and swimming for those looking to relax. Its approximate dimensions are 365 miles north to south and 52 miles broad. In some parts it is extremely deep: (2300 ft/700m), which is well below sea level!
A rich and deep natural resource, it plays an important role in the Malawi economy, and scores of villages line up along its shores to not only enjoy the view, but to harvest fish, fresh water and other important resources from it.
Living by the lake is a great way to experience Malawi and for a unique immersive experience, this program will be hard to compare with. You will contribute to a variety of activities that the local fishermen themselves will take part in, such as fixing and repairing fishing nets, drying fish for the markets and collecting the fish from the sea or in between.
Of course, taking part in fishing itself is also possible if the timing arises depending on weather and difficulty levels!
You will also have a unique glimpse into their life, families, joys and struggles. You will have the insight to how they survive and learn about their lifestyle, worldviews, culture and customs firsthand.
Aims & Objectives
- Increase your awareness of the fishing industry and its commercial impacts
- Support the local fisherman with helpful hands
- Give you an authentic experience of the local fishermen’s lives
Schedule
Monday to Friday
A typical day during this program could look like…
- Breakfast at the Center
- Assist the Fisherman with chores
- Lunch
- Work at the markets
- Back to the center for dinner and to share your experiences
You can expect 4-5 hours of work throughout a typical day.
Note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Minimum age: –
Maximum age: –
Minimum English level: Basic
CRB required: On Signup
Passport copy required: No
Resume copy required: No
Required qualification: None
Additional Requirements
There are no further requirements for this program.
Additional Equipment
No specific equipment required for this program.
Location
Mangochi is coastal town sited between Lakes Malawi and Malombe. Previously called Fort Johnston during colonial times, it is known as a lake town with a lot of water and fishing activities. Although a small township with a population of 50,000, necessities are nearby to assist you during your stay. It is also full of culture and history and it’s always interesting to walk through the small town.
About the Accommodation
You will be accommodated in our center. It is quite basic and you will share your room with other participants. There are shared western style, flushable toilets.
There are limited laundry facilities so expect to wash your clothes by hand. All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and organized.
Food Arrangements
Malawian food will served mainly, along with some European food. You can expect meat, vegetables, potatoes, eggs, bread, rice spaghetti and more.
Facilities
There are many modes of local transport such as taxis, vans, buses which depart every 30 minutes to downtown Mangochi.
There are ATM’s & Western Union transfer facilities in Mangochi downtown which is about 20-30 minutes by driving from the center.
Next to our center there are many local shops nearby which only take about a 5-10 minute walk.
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.
Sights & Surroundings
There are many nice places to visit, but we recommend lake Malawi which is close by and where there are many nice beaches with beautiful hotels. Also there are various water sport activities such as snorkeling, boat trips etc available.
You may like to visit the famous Malawi Mountains for trekking and hiking! Speak to your coordinator to arrange these.
Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.
Quick Facts
Name: Republic of Malawi
Population: 16 million
Capital: Lilongwe
Language: Chewa
Currency: Kwacha (ZMK)
Time zone: CAT (UTC +2)
Country Information
Known as "The Warm Heart of Africa", Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that is bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. It was settled by migrating Bantu groups in the 10th century and was later colonized by the British in 1891. In 1953 Malawi, then known as Nyasaland, a protectorate of the United Kingdom, became a protectorate within the semi-independent Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, this ended in 1963. Nyasaland became an independent country a year later under Queen Elizabeth II with the new name Malawi. Two years later it became a republic and gained its independence.
Many of today’s Malawians are descendants of the Bantu people who moved across Africa and into Malawi for hundreds of years up to the fifteenth century.It is a country that welcomes all who wish to experience the incomparable combination of environment, wildlife & culture in one of Africa's most beautiful and diverse countries.
Climate
Malawi has a subtropical climate, meaning it is relatively dry and strongly seasonal. Malawi's climate is hot in low-lying areas south of the country and temperate in the northern highlands.
You can expect warm and wet conditions from November to April as annual average rainfall varies from 725mm to 2,500mm and 95% of total annual rainfall occurs during these months. A cool, dry winter season is evident from May to August with mean temperatures of 17-27oC, with temperatures falling to 4-10oC. A hot, dry season stretches from September to October with average temperatures of 25-37oC.
Culture
The culture of Malawi is extremely diverse due to its multiple tribes including the Yao, the Nyanja, the Maravi, the Tumbuka in northern regions, with the Chewa being the largest.
Each tribe has had influence over the modern culture of Malawi, whether it be in dress or dance or language. Tribe specific masks are commonly used in various dances and ceremonies, the best known being the Gule Wamkulu, performed by the Nyau of the Chewa.
Gastronomy
Malawian cuisine includes tea and fish along with sugar, coffee, corn, potatoes, sorghum, cattle and goats which are important components of the cuisine and economy. Lake Malawi is a source of fish including chambo (similar to bream), usipa (similar to sardine), mpasa (similar to salmon and kampango). Nsima is a food staple which can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner made from ground corn served with dishes of meat and vegetables on the side.
Transportation
Plane
The country has 39 airports with Malawian Airlines Limited as the national airline which operates a regional passenger service. The airline runs from Lilongwe International Airport and Chileka International Airport. Malawian Airlines flies a number of times every day between Lilongwe and Blantyre as well as connecting Malawi to its regional neighbours and further afield.
Malawi also has air charter companies including Bush & Lake Aviation which link most of the tourist destinations in the country as well as the main towns.
Boat
Though it is landlocked, Malawi also has 435 miles (700 km) of waterways on Lake Malawi and along the Shire River. The famous Ilala, a 620 tonne vessel that can carry 400 passengers has traditionally travelled the length of Lake Malawi (365km) and provides a vital life line for the many communities that live around the lake. Ilala offers affordable transport allowing travellers to take in the stunning scenery at a leisurely pace. Passengers can hop on and off at various locations including Nkhata Bay and Likoma Island.
Public Transport
There is a good network of inexpensive public buses throughout the country. Small mini-buses offer local journeys while larger coaches ply the longer distance routes.
Taxis
Taxis in Malawi are mainly found in the main cities, though some can be located in the rural areas if you ask around. Fares are usually fairly low by international standards. Taxi companies that are gaining a good reputation are Yellow Top Cab or The Joy Taxi Service.
