In the southern part of East Africa lies Malawi, a long, narrow, and dramatic country of diverse landscape and culture. The region is a global treasure of biological wonders with its highly unusual biodiversity.

In 1980, the government established Lake Malawi National Park, the first national freshwater park in the world. Estimated at between one and three million years of age, the lake has fostered highly unusual diversity in certain fish known as cichlids (inset, above).. Of the total number, it is believed that 98% occur nowhere else in the world. In 1984, UNESCO designated the park a World Heritage Site, and the Nankumba Peninsula on which the park is located was incorporated into the World Bank's Global Environment Facility project to conserve biodiversity.

Dobbin International Inc. (DI) Landscape Architects, of Vienna, VA, conducted the first phase of one component of the project. The work began with a comprehensive inventory and analysis of the area's natural resources, biodiversity, forestry and cultural features.

In addition to its natural beauty, the area has many attractions for tourists. The first settlement, the Livingstonia Mission at the tip of the peninsula, was established in 1875 by Dr. David Livingstone, "presumed" famous for his accomplishments and for being "found" in the Zambezi Expedition of 1858 to 1864. Five rock shelters with ancient paintings were found in the hills, and it is believed that there are at least 20 others yet to be discovered. The globally significant diversity of fishes in the lake and national park may attract a specialized market niche in ecotourism and adventure recreation.

For sustainable ecotourism, recommendations were made for overnight accommodations. The master plan included proposals to restore and enhance the park visitor area, establish an entrance facility, create an interpretive visitor center, and enhance the Livingstone Mission with a tree-lined walkway. Measures were suggested to reduce erosion and improve water quality near the villages. Recommendations were made to direct future investments and ecotourism in the region. The project now serves as a model for future sustainable development and conservation within the region.lasn