Lilongwe

Set to the distinct scents of freshly harvested tobacco and wafts of petrol fumes from the endless streams of traffic that pulse through the dusty streets, Malawi's capital is the beating political and commercial heart of the country.

Stay a few days and you'll discover its wonders, which range from a particularly well-kept nature reserve on the outskirts of the city (the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre) to a heady market that throbs with haggling sellers touting everything from stacks of green mangoes to whittled wood figurines to multi-colored pulses all week.

There are also a plethora of lively local beer bars where you can unwind with a locally brewed Carlsberg when you get thirsty!

• Best places to visit: Lilongwe Wildlife Centre Lilongwe, Nature Sanctuary Lilongwe Kumbali Cultural Village Lilongwe Gems and Jewellery Lanka Lilongwe, Nkhoma Mountain Lilongwe National Herbarium And Botanic Gardens Of Malawi Lilongwe, Old Town Mall Lilongwe, Lizulu Market Lilongwe, Maula Cathedral, Parliament Building, World War I Memorial, etc.
• Location: on a plateau in Central Malawi