Monkey Bay

2025-10-12T13:51:39Z

102.70.112.161:

{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement

 |official_name = Monkey Bay
|other_name = Lusumbwi

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|image_skyline =Monoxylon_beach_Lake_Malawi_1557.jpg
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|image_caption = Beach at Cape Maclear near Monkey Bay
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|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Malawi

|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Malawi}}
|subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Malawi|Region]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Southern Region, Malawi|Southern Region]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Malawi|District]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Mangochi District]]
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|population_as_of = 2018 Census<ref name="Census2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.nsomalawi.mw/images/stories/data_on_line/demography/census_2018/2018%20Malawi%20Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%20Main%20Report.pdf|title=2018 Population and Housing Census Main Report |publisher=Malawi National Statistical Office |accessdate=25 December 2019}}</ref>
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|blank1_info_sec2 = [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]]

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[[file:Monkey bay main road.JPG|thumb|Main north-south street of the town.]]
'''Monkey Bay''' or '''Lusumbwe''' is a town in [[Mangochi]] which is in the [[Mangochi District]] in the [[Southern Region, Malawi|Southern Region]] of [[Malawi]]. The town is on the shore of [[Lake Malawi]] and is one of the main ports on Lake Malawi.<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-43952/Malawi|title=Malawi: Transportation|accessdate=20 June 2008|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref> The population of Monkey Bay was 14,955 according to the 2018 census.<ref name="World Gazetteer"/> Monkey Bay is {{convert|206|km|mi}} from [[Lilongwe]], Malawi's capital city, and {{convert|253|km|mi}} from [[Blantyre, Malawi|Blantyre]].<ref name="Wild Malawi">{{cite web|url=http://www.wildmalawi.com/distance-table/distance-table/malawi-distance-table.html|title=Malawi distance table|accessdate=20 June 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908060148/http://www.wildmalawi.com/distance-table/distance-table/malawi-distance-table.html|archivedate=8 September 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Monkey Bay is a tourist resort and is often travelled through on the road to [[Cape Maclear]].<ref name="Maclear">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zo1sg8FnF2gC|title=Lonely Planet Southern Africa: Join the Safari|accessdate=20 June 2008|year=2007|last=Murphy|first=Alan|author2=Armstrong, Kate |author3=Firestone, Matthew D. |author4= Fitzpatrick, Mary |isbn=978-1-74059-745-6|page=200|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]}}</ref>

==History==
Monkey Bay was ruled by the Muslim [[Yao people (East Africa)|Yao]] chief and slave trader, Mponda, during the 1880s.<ref name="Mponda">{{cite book|title=The Steamer Parish: The Rise and Fall of Missionary Medicine on an African|url=https://archive.org/details/steamerparishris0000good|url-access=registration|last=Good|first=Charles M.|year=2004|accessdate=22 June 2008|page=[https://archive.org/details/steamerparishris0000good/page/88 88]|publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]]|isbn=0-226-30281-4}}</ref>

In 1905 the explorer [[Mary Hall (explorer)|Mary Hall]] passed through here as she became the first woman to travel the length of Africa from Cape Town to Cairo.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Baker |first=Colin |date=1982 |title=Nyasaland 1905 - 1909: The Journeys of Mary Hall, Olivia Colville and Charlotte Mansfield |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/29778467 |journal=The Society of Malawi Journal |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=11–29 |issn=0037-993X}}</ref>

In the late 19th century, the first Bishop of [[Likoma Island|Likoma]], [[Chauncy Maples]], drowned near Monkey Bay in Lake Malawi.<ref name="Bishop">{{cite book|title=Lonely Planet Southern Africa: Join the Safari|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zo1sg8FnF2gC|accessdate=20 June 2008|year=2007|last=Murphy|first=Alan|author2=Armstrong, Kate |author3=Firestone, Matthew D. |author4= Fitzpatrick, Mary |isbn=978-1-74059-745-6|page=193|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]}}</ref> In the 1960s, there was a Fisheries Research Laboratory in Monkey Bay, funded by the then-[[Nyasaland]] colonial government.<ref name="Fisheries">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k706AAAAIAAJ|title=Bulletin – Malawi Geological Survey Department|accessdate=20 June 2008|publisher=Malawi Geographical Survey Department|year=1963}}</ref>

==Geography==
Monkey Bay is on the shore of [[Lake Malawi]] and is one of the main ports on Lake Malawi.<ref name="Britannica"/> It is at an elevation of {{convert|1630|ft|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}.

Monkey Bay is situated {{convert|4|mi|km|0|order=flip|abbr=on}} from Chimpamba, {{convert|2|mi|km|0|order=flip|abbr=on}} from Zambo, {{convert|1|mi|km|round=0.5|order=flip|abbr=on}} from Msumbi and 17.9 km (11.12 mi) from [[Cape Maclear]].<ref name=FR>{{cite web| url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/MI/0/Monkey_Bay.html |title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Monkey Bay, Malawi |work=FallingRain Genomics |accessdate=21 June 2008}}</ref>

==Living standards==
In March 2003, the then-Malawian President [[Bakili Muluzi]] held a rally in Monkey Bay, and promised to help reduce poverty.<ref name="Muluzi">{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200303080008.html|title=Malawi: Muluzi Outlines Priority|date=8 March 2008|accessdate=20 June 2008|work=[[AllAfrica]]}}</ref> The charity [[Save the Children]] is active in the Monkey Bay area.<ref name="CSM">{{cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0611/p01s03-woaf.htm|title=AIDS adds to African food crisis|date=11 June 2002|accessdate=20 June 2008|work=[[CS Monitor]]|last=Itano|first=Nicole}}</ref> According to a German development volunteer working with the Back to School Foundation, the residents of Monkey Bay are not living at the poverty line, but at the existence line. Houses are simple clay cottages, and few households can afford electricity, as the connection costs alone are three times the average monthly wage.<ref name="Rheinische Post">{{cite web|url=http://www.rp-online.de/public/article/kempen/471650/Eine-Zukunft-fuer-die-Kinder-von-Malawi.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130220174114/http://www.rp-online.de/public/article/kempen/471650/Eine-Zukunft-fuer-die-Kinder-von-Malawi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 February 2013|title=Eine Zukunft für die Kinder von Malawi|date=23 August 2007|accessdate=20 June 2008|last=Kleinebrahm|first=Tobias|work=[[Rheinische Post]]|language=German}}</ref>

==Facilities==
===Amenities===
There is a supermarket and a market in Monkey Bay, although there are [[bureaux de change]] or [[automatic teller machines]]. On 22 February 2010, a first bank opened its doors. [[Malawi Savings Bank]] which was operating from the Post Office building moved into their own convenience, a refurbished and spacious building at the trading centre.

There was not a functioning internet café in 2007 but there were signs for one. There are several guesthouses.<ref name="Shops">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zo1sg8FnF2gC|page=201|title=Lonely Planet Southern Africa: Join the Safari|accessdate=20 June 2008|year=2007|last=Murphy|first=Alan|author2=Armstrong, Kate |author3=Firestone, Matthew D. |author4= Fitzpatrick, Mary |isbn=978-1-74059-745-6|publisher=[[Lonely Planet]]}}</ref> The nearest [[Automated Teller Machine|ATM]] is in the town of [[Mangochi]].

===Transport===
Monkey Bay is connected to [[Lilongwe]] and [[Blantyre]] by bus services.<ref name="Shops"/> The nearest airport is at [[Ulongwe]], {{convert|49|mi|km||order=flip|abbr=on}} away.<ref name=FR/> Two passenger ferries make weekly sailings along Lake Malawi between Monkey Bay and [[Chilumba]]; the ''[[MV Ilala]]'' and the ''Mtendere''.<ref name="Telegraph Sail">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/africaandindianocean/malawi/720923/Malawi-On-a-mission-in-Africa.html |title=Malawi: On a mission in Africa |accessdate=20 June 2008 |date=5 February 2001 |last=Rogers |first=Douglas |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905110813/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/africaandindianocean/malawi/720923/Malawi-On-a-mission-in-Africa.html |archivedate=5 September 2008 }}</ref> The ''Ilala'' is 350-passenger [[steamship]] that has served the route since 1951.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2001/apr/18/netjetters2000sam.netjetters1?page=2|title=Lake placid|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=20 June 2008|date=18 April 2001}}</ref> In March 2003, the European Union funded improvements to the road linking Monkey Bay with Masasa and Golomoti.<ref name="Engineering News">{{cite web|url=http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=33703|title=EU approves funding for Malawian road projects|accessdate=20 June 2008|last=Chimwala|first=Marcel|date=28 March 2003}}</ref> In February 2006, the Malawian government announced plans to build a road from Monkey Bay to Cape Maclear.<ref name="To Maclear">{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200602280116.html|title=Malawi: Investors, Tourists Wear Smile in Cape Maclear|work=[[AllAfrica]]|date=28 February 2006|accessdate=20 June 2008}}</ref> In March 2006, there was no road access to Monkey Bay, after the worst floods since 1978 had washed away several kilometres of road and a bridge.<ref name="Mywire">{{cite web|url=http://www.mywire.com/pubs/AFP/2006/03/08/1270868?extID=10051|title= Flash floods in Malawi tourist haven leave 6,000 homeless|date=8 March 2006|accessdate=20 June 2008|publisher=[[Agence France Presse]]}}</ref> The rainfall measured around {{convert|158|mm|in}} and several thousand people in the [[Mangochi District]] were made homeless.<ref name="Angola"/>

===Education===
The Nankhwala Catholic School is in Monkey Bay.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7451251.stm|title= School cash for Malawi youngsters|access-date=20 June 2008|date=12 June 2006|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

===Medical===
Monkey Bay has a hospital, but medical services are not extensive; surgery and [[diagnostics]] are however available in Monkey Bay.<ref name="Irish Medical Times">{{cite web|url=http://www.imt.ie/news/2008/06/life_as_a_gp_in_malawi_the_war.html |title=Life as a GP in Malawi —the warm heart of Africa |accessdate=20 June 2008 |date=10 June 2008 |last=Collins |first=Dr. Martina |work=[[Irish Medical Times]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602011008/http://www.imt.ie/news/2008/06/life_as_a_gp_in_malawi_the_war.html |archivedate=2 June 2009 }}</ref>

===Law and military===
Monkey Bay has a police station. It is also the headquarters of the 220-strong [[marine (military)|marine]] force of the [[Army of Malawi]].<ref name="IOL">{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20070410091551635C986579|title=Divers search for bodies in Lake Malawi|date=10 April 2008|accessdate=20 June 2008|work=[[Independent Online (South Africa)|Independent Online]]}}</ref><ref name="Naval Institute">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C|title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft and Systems|accessdate=20 June 2008|year=2007|publisher=[[Naval Institute Press]]|last=Wertheim|first=Eric|authorlink=Eric Wertheim|isbn=978-1-59114-955-2|page=452}}</ref>

==Tourism==
Monkey Bay has been described as "the country's best known resort" by ''[[Agence France-Presse]]'',<ref name="Mywire"/> and ''[[Factiva]]'' refers to Monkey Bay as the "best known resort-area" in Malawi.<ref name="Factiva">{{cite web|url=http://moreresults.factiva.com/results/index/index.aspx?ref=LQAF000020060310e23a000h3|title=Floods cause chaos in Malawi, Mozambique|date=10 March 2006|accessdate=20 June 2008|publisher=[[Factiva]]}}</ref> The area has "sandy beaches and tropical fish",<ref name="Angola">{{cite web|url=http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=423875 |title=Heavy flooding causes havoc in Malawi |date=22 March 2008 |accessdate=20 June 2008 |work=AngolaPress }}{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and is popular with tourists.<ref name="IOL"/> There are diving schools in Monkey Bay, however, according to the Daily Telegraph, the schools are considered poor by tourists.<ref name="Telegraph diving">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/africaandindianocean/malawi/721218/Malawi-Flying-under-water.html?pageNum=3|title=Malawi: Flying under water|date=5 February 2001|accessdate=20 June 2008|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|last=Isaacson|first=Rupert}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref> The town is also a transit point to [[Cape Maclear]].

==Demographics==
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Population<ref name="World Gazetteer">{{cite web|url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&srt=pnan&col=dq&geo=-150|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927223224/http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&srt=pnan&col=dq&geo=-150|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2007|title=World Gazetteer: Malawi: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population|accessdate=20 June 2008|work=World Gazetteer}}</ref><ref name="Census2018">{{cite web|url=http://www.nsomalawi.mw/images/stories/data_on_line/demography/census_2018/2018%20Malawi%20Population%20and%20Housing%20Census%20Main%20Report.pdf|title=2018 Population and Housing Census Main Report |publisher=Malawi National Statistical Office |accessdate=25 December 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 1987
| 5,649
|-
| 1998
| 10,749
|-
| 2008
| 11,246
|-
| 2018
| 14,955
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Wikivoyage|Monkey Bay}}
{{Commons}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|14|05|S| 34|55|E|region:MW_type:city|display=title}}

[[Category:Lake Malawi]]
[[Category:Populated places in Southern Region, Malawi]]

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Monkey Bay