Digital creator Mervis is making waves in Malawi, inspiring others to explore this under-the-radar African country. Her social media posts showcase Malawi’s beauty, culture, and untapped potential. Mervis’s exploration of Malawi serves as an inspiration for others to discover the richness of this nation. Through her digital content, she encourages curiosity, connection, and appreciation for the beauty that lies within its borders.
Born Mervis Mwai Maigwa, 26 years old, originates from Malawi’s Ntchisi region. She is a trained teacher who now works in travel and tourism, focusing on social media influencing and tour operations, and she serves as a public relations officer for the Ministry of Tourism. Travel Noire spoke with Mervis Maigwa to discover more about her love of Malawi and travel and how she encourages others to visit this southeast African jewel.
TN: What inspired you to start your journey as a travel content creator showcasing the beauty of Malawi?
MM: Travel has always been something that fuels me and gets me excited; however, when I travel within my country, people tend to ask questions as they think travel is reserved for the whites, the rich, and the foreigners. At least, that’s something that’s changing slowly. How the situation was/is prompted me to do something about it, to change the narrative by sharing my travel stories. “A Black Malawian girl is traveling; if she can do it, I can do it too”—creating awareness and encouraging domestic travel.
We should know our Malawi better than anyone coming here. We should travel and enjoy our country before someone else comes. Travel also helps relieve mental stress, combatting or lessening mental health problems. As Malawi’s cases of mental health continue to increase rapidly, I thought it was wise to encourage people so that they feel better at the end of the day.
TN: How has traveling within Malawi influenced your perspective of the country?
When we mention Malawi, what most people think of is, “Oh, one of the poorest counties in the world.” If you view Malawi through my eyes/world, Malawi is a very beautiful country. It has lovely people and so much potential. Malawi is peaceful and friendly. Throughout my travels in the country, I’ve been reminded every time that I’m lucky to have been born here and be a Malawian citizen.
It’s a privilege, and I shouldn’t take it for granted. It’s not 100%, but the positives outshine the negatives, and that’s all that matters. Something that started as a hobby and later became a passion became my career. I want to do more in my capacity as an influencer and patriotic citizen to make my little paradise known to the world.
TN: What do you think sets Malawi apart from other African travel destinations?
MM: We have the most beautiful lake with unique islands, friendly people, and a peaceful nation. Mount Mulanje has over 60 peaks and beautiful natural pools on top of the mountain. In Malawi, you can also go on a boat safari cruise on the Shire River inside Liwonde National Park. You can come up close with aquatic wildlife like hippos, elephants, crocodiles, and more.
TN: Could you share your most challenging and rewarding travel experience within Malawi?
MM: It’s hard to get around some places because road networks are poorly developed. Much time is spent on the road, which is annoying. Still, my most rewarding travel experience was when I traveled to the Ntchisi rainforest for the first time from my home village in the same district. It was a 27km trip from my village to the forest. I got a motorbike to get there and back home. The guy who was my taxi motorbike driver didn’t know this place despite being born and raised and having lived all his life in Ntchisi. It was his first time getting there.
So, he decided to hike instead of just sitting and waiting for me to get back from the hike so we could go back to the village. He was amazed at the beauty and lushness of the forest. When we returned to the village, he excitedly told everyone about the experience; to me, that was a priceless moment.
TN: What do you think needs to be done to improve the tourism industry in Malawi?
MM: To improve the road network and enhance air connectivity by making Malawi attractive as far as the economy is concerned; hence, more planes will want to add Malawi to their routes. Because of the traffic, they’ll want to visit Malawi to either tour or invest here. Malawi also needs to improve its services. When a hotel or restaurant service is good, you’re promised a return customer.
TN: Do you have any upcoming projects or initiatives related to Malawi tourism that you’re excited about?
MM: Yes, I definitely do. I went on a hike to Zomba with a friend sometime back, and this friend talked about how to help the stone( precious stones like quartz) vendors on the mountain boost sales and diversify.
We had a lengthy conversation on that and later concluded that I would do mountain workshops with vendors on the mountain to help them profitably position themselves. This initiative will aim to impact these vendors with knowledge and skills on diversifying and boosting their businesses.
TN: Could you share some of your favorite off-the-beaten-path destinations in Malawi?
MN: Mount Mulanje and Mumbo Island on Cape Maclear are my most treasured gems in the country; I encourage everyone in Malawi, either visiting or living in Malawi, to at least see these two places once.
TN: What tips do you have for travelers looking to explore Malawi?
MM: To travel with a guide and get the necessary information about the country through reputable sources.