Savannah’s & Salt Flats
On a letter board is Moorish proverb quote of “He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” This letter board is set in front of a dandelion-knit blanket.
Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do.
Welcome back, seasoned travelers and curious newcomers alike! Our Around the World adventure continues. This time through Savannah’s & Salt Flats, where deserts meet coastlines and horizons never seem to end.
From the desert dunes of Mali to the misty mountains of Morocco, this leg of the journey takes us across six vibrant nations: Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, and Mozambique. Each offers its own rhythm and landscape from inland lakes to coral islands and windswept coasts. Together, they form a stretch of Africa where history, heat, and humanity meet in vivid color.
Before we fasten our seatbelts for takeoff, let’s get familiar with the names, flags, and places that shape this region. Six countries that are defined by endurance, beauty, and the ever-shifting dance between land and sea.
Hand drawn flag of Malawi
MALAWI
Official name: Republic of Malawi
Pronunciation: muh-laa-wee
Capital: Lilongwe
Official language: It’s English but Chichewa is the national language
Location: In southeastern Africa in the Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique
Climate: Subtropical
Most known for: Warm heart of Africa for its warm and friendly people
Fun fact: Lake Malawi is the third largest lake in Africa and covers 1/5 of this landlocked country. Here is a direct quote from the Ripple Africa website regarding the lake, “The country is about half the size of the United Kingdom or the size of Pennsylvania, and one fifth is covered by Lake Malawi which is home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world, including about 1,000 species of cichlids (“Learn all about Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa”, Ripple Africa).
Recent news article: Malawi: Lake of Stars Festival announces 2025 line-up
My knowledge: I am not familiar with Malawi.
Hand drawn flag of Mali
MALI
Official name: Republic of Mali
Pronunciation: maa-lee
Capital: Bamako
Official language: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fula, Arabic, Kassonke, Maninke, Minyanka, Senufo, Songhay, Soninke, and Tamassheq
Location: In West Africa in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Guinea, Gambia, Mauritania, Algeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire
Climate: Tropical & Desert
Most known for: Its rich history like the Mali empire. World History Encyclopedia did a video about the Mali empire. To watch, click here.
Fun fact: Home to the largest mud-brick building in the world known as the Mosque of Djenné. Here is a link if you are curious to learn more about The Great Mosque of Djenné.
Recent news article: VIDEO: Preserving Mali’s bogolan mud cloth design heritage
My knowledge: I am unaware and not familiar with the country of Mali, other than the country’s name and a few general facts.
Hand drawn flag of Mauritania
MAURITANIA
Official name: The Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Pronunciation: maw-ruh-tay-nee-uh
Capital: Nouakchott
Official language: Arabic
Location: In Northwest Africa (& part of MENA) in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Western Sahara, Algeria, Mali, and Senegal
Climate: Mostly desert
Most known for: One of the world’s longest train carrying ore with over 200 wagons
Fun fact: Home to the “Eye of the Sahara.” It’s a circular geological formation visible from space known as "Richat Structure. Here is an article from NASA Earth Observatory where it explains “The Eye of the Sahara” a bit further [click here].
Recent news article: Project gives wheat production boost in Mauritania
My knowledge: I am unaware of the history of Mauritania
Hand drawn flag of Mauritius
MAURITIUS
Official name: Republic of Mauritius
Pronunciation: mr-i-shuhs
Capital: Port Louis
Official language: English
Location: Off the coast of Eastern Africa in the Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Near Madagascar
Climate: Mild tropical maritime
Most known for: Stunning beaches and turquoise waters
Fun fact: Has an underwater waterfall off of Le Morne Peninsula. Here is a link from Mauritiusnow.com which shows the beautiful imagery as well as explains the waterfall some more. To check out, click here.
Recent news article: WHO supports Mauritius in advancing climate-resilient health systems: new milestone reached with validation of gap analysis and institutional framework
My knowledge: Only familiar with the country’s name. I’ve seen pictures of the underwater waterfall before but I had no idea where it was located
Hand drawn flag of Morocco
MOROCCO
Official name: The Kingdom of Morocco
Pronunciation: mr-aa-kow
Capital: Rabat
Official language: Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber
Location: In North Africa (part of MENA) in the Northern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: Algeria and Western Sahara
Climate: Varied with both Mediterranean and Arid
Most known for: Vibrant culture and history. To learn more about the Marrakech culture, click here. And here is an article from The Week to learn more about Fes culture. To read, click here.
Fun fact: Home to the oldest operating university, The University of Al Quaraouiyine. Founded in 859 AD. From the Fed Guide Advisor, here is a link for more information on this university.
Recent news article: From Discord to the Streets: Gen Z’s Moment in the Middle East
My knowledge: I’m slightly more familiar with Morocco. I don’t recall the specifics but I chose to do some kind of school project on Morocco.
Hand drawn flag of Mozambique
MOZAMBIQUE
Official name: The Republic of Mozambique
Pronunciation: mow-zam-beek
Capital: Maputo
Official language: Portugese
Location: On the Eastern coast of Africa in the Southern Hemisphere
Surrounding countries: South Africa, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania. Also, near Madagascar.
Climate: Tropical to sub-tropical
Most known for: Renowned for its seafood, especially shellfish like prawns and crayfish
Fun fact: It is the only country whose name contains all five vowels of A, E, I, O, U.
Recent news article: Mozambique reserve found to host rare Taita falcon’s largest refugee
My knowledge: I am unfamiliar with Mozambique.
From the sun-drenched savannah of Malawi and Mali to the salt-swept coasts of Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, and Mozambique, today’s journey reminds us how beautifully diverse the world can be. Each of these nations carries its own rhythm, from the quiet resilience of desert life to the vibrant energy of island shores, proof that even the harshest landscapes hold stories of endurance, creativity, and community.
If you were born in, have lived in, or have ever visited any of these six countries, I’d truly love to hear your experiences. Your stories bring life to the names on the map, and help all of us see the world with wider eyes.
Here’s what this part of the adventure has taught me. Travel isn’t just about seeing new places, it’s about learning how to move through the world with openness. Whether across oceans or through ideas, every journey is a chance to listen, grow, and be changed by what we find.
As we wrap up this leg of our Around the World series, keep your curiosity alive and your passport close, because the next destination is already on the horizon.
Which of these countries would you most like to explore?
Catch up on earlier chapters and follow along for the next stop, one continent, one story, one shared world at a time.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***
