It was not just locking eyes with a wild lion a few metres away or finally checking off a bucket-list item that I have dreamt about since university—the dream to dive in a unique freshwater lake in the heart of Africa; it was the people. Their overwhelming warmth, kindness and generosity despite their apparent poverty made a deep impression on me.

For some reason, many people attach an unwarranted stigma to Africa. Whenever there is trouble somewhere, be it political strife or Ebola, many assume the entire continent is hazardous by geographic association. However, as African nations go, Malawi remains refreshingly innocuous. Celebrity adoptions aside, it does not make the news for the wrong reasons. Make no mistake, the country’s small size belies its multitude of attractions. Known as the warm heart of Africa for its friendly people, I quickly realized it could also be called the land of surprises.