Lazing on a palm-fringed sandy seashore, with sapphire water stretching out in entrance of you so far as the attention can see, you might be forgiven for considering you had been on a tropical island someplace out within the ocean, relatively than on the shores of Lake Malawi, a whole bunch of miles from the closest coast.
The waters of Lake Malawi stretch throughout roughly one-fifth of Malawi making it one of many nation’s defining options. Mendacity within the western Rift Valley this is likely one of the African Nice Lakes. That is Africa’s third largest (and the world’s ninth largest) lake. It’s so huge in measurement that it borders three international locations; Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. This unimaginable physique of water incorporates 7% of the world’s out there floor freshwater and stretches over 365 miles lengthy from north to south, is about 52 miles broad at its widest level and covers a complete floor space of 11,400 sq. miles.
Lake Malawi is an space of remarkable pure magnificence, with the rugged landscapes surrounding it contrasting with the remarkably clear waters of the lake – the undisputed drawcard of one of many friendliest international locations in Africa.
What’s in a reputation…
The Portuguese dealer Candido José da Costa Cardoso was the primary European to go to the lake in 1846. In 1859, David Livingstone was the primary European to map Lake Malawi, he named it Lake Nyasa, most likely unintentionally as Nyasa means lake within the native Yao language, so he’d successfully christened it ‘Lake Lake’. Livingstone additionally referred to the lake as Lake Nyinyesi Lake of Stars, in addition to Lake of Storms – Lake of Stars, was impressed by the fishermen’s lanterns bobbing on its waters, a nighttime exercise that continues at present, later, after experiencing an unpredictable and very violent gale he additionally referred to it because the Lake of Storms. In Tanzania the lake remains to be referred to as Lake Nyasa and in Mozambique as Lago Niassa. At independence, in 1964, each the lake and the nation took on the identify Malawi.
The identify Malawi is believed to derive from the phrase Maravi. The folks of the Maravi Empire had been iron employees. Maravi is believed to imply “Flames” and should have come from the sight of many kilns lighting up the night time sky. Mentioned to be from Chichewa malawi (“flames”), after the looks of the dawn over Lake Malawi; additionally presumably from Maravi, the identify of an early Malawi tribe, or from an outdated identify for a lake
Anybody who has watched the solar dipping down into Lake Malawi on the finish of the day or the moon rise slowly over its waters, stood on its shores and peered within the distant mist or watched as early morning fishermen glide again to shore from their in a single day journeys, or just listened to the mild lapping of its waves on the shore, might be drawn to return, again and again, to the lake with many names.
Africa’s grand aquarium
Globally famend for its biodiversity and residential to round 1,000 species of fish, greater than another lake on the earth, Lake Malawi is a haven for underwater lovers and gives among the most unusual and various freshwater diving experiences on the earth. Cichlids are the star of Lake Malawi, with round 850 totally different species of those vibrant and curious fish discovered within the lake’s clear waters, lots of that are endemic to the lake and may solely be discovered right here.
Malawi is thought for having among the greatest freshwater diving on the earth. The diving in Lake Malawi is appropriate for each skilled and newbie divers, with quite a lot of dive websites out there, among the hottest locations being Nkhata Bay and Cape Maclear. The visibility within the lake is often good, and the water temperature is heat, making it a cushty setting for diving, or snorkelling should you favor.
Some common dive websites in Lake Malawi embrace:
Mumbo Island: This small island is thought for its wonderful dive websites. The island is surrounded by shallow coral gardens and is dwelling to quite a lot of vibrant fish.
Cathedral: This dive web site is situated within the southern a part of the lake and is thought for its massive underwater formations that resemble a cathedral. The location is dwelling to a various array of fish and is common for night time diving.
Thumbi West Island: This island is situated within the northern a part of the lake and is thought for its clear waters and considerable marine life. The island is surrounded by shallow coral gardens and is a good place for each snorkelling and diving.
What to do
It’s not stunning that most of the actions across the lake are usually water-based. Certainly, the lake gives fantastic diving and snorkelling alternatives, and the nice and cozy, clear waters make swimming a pleasure. Different choices embrace crusing, kayaking, fishing, boat journeys, paddle boarding and waterskiing, spending time on the seashore, or just stress-free upon the deck of a catamaran because it sails the emerald waters. For many who favor to remain on dry land, strolling and mountain climbing within the mountains, exploring tea estates, bicycling by villages or visiting a area people challenge, can all be organized.
- Go to Lake Malawi Nationwide Park
Established in 1980 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage web site, Lake Malawi Nationwide Park is the world’s first freshwater nationwide park. Protecting about 23,300 acres, the park encompasses the southern finish of the lake round Cape Maclear. It’s recognized for its distinctive freshwater fish range and as a sanctuary for various wildlife.
- Eat some fish
Individuals have been fishing in Lake Malawi for hundreds of years and the lake offers native folks with a good portion of their weight loss plan. Attempt the fish. Low-cost barbecue fish eating places might be discovered throughout the lake or you’ll be able to attempt the Sunbird Livingstonia Seaside restaurant and grill the place native fish is a speciality.
- Go crusing
Lake Malawi is a wonderful palace to go crusing. As a result of it’s a lake, there are not any harmful currents or swells to fret about. The water is calm, the wind is mild, and the climate is nice yr round. Many lodges provide crusing excursions or yacht leases. For probably the most choices, head to Cape Maclear. Try Danforth Retreat and Yachting or Chembe Eagles Nest for crusing excursions.
- Have some drinks at a seashore bar
Relax and watch the sundown over a few chilly cocktails or beers. You may as well check out some native Malawi distilled spirits. Cool Runnings a lakeside guesthouse in Senga Bay is an effective spot to attempt.
- Go fishing
For millennia, folks have fished Lake Malawi. The lake has some wonderful fishing, most lodges will provide some fishing experiences or you’ll be able to hire gear close to the lake and take a look at your luck. For the perfect probability of catching something, chances are you’ll need to take into account hiring an area information to indicate you the perfect fishing spots. Ulisa Bay Lodge on Likoma Island provide fishing experiences with native fishermen.
- Watch the sundown
The sundown over Lake Malawi is likely one of the most spectacular you’ll ever see. Lake Malawi gives a novel sundown spot and Cape Maclear is likely one of the greatest locations to admire it – the solar turns right into a purple fireball whereas the sky modifications from orange to pink because the solar sinks decrease within the sky and eventually dips into the lake.
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The place to remain
There are solely a handful of luxurious lodges on the lake’s secluded seashores and small islands. For relaxed lakeside residing, the place you’ll be able to wander straight out of your room and onto the seashore, or laze in a hammock with a ebook, swim in gin-clear water and dine on scrumptious native fish, probably the most accessible and common elements of Lake Malawi are its southern and central areas.
That is the place you’ll discover some nice lakeside lodging, starting from family-friendly seashore resorts like The Makokola Retreat to romantic island lodges like Mumbo Island and Kaya Mawa. Even in these extra visited areas, the lake is splendidly untouched by mass tourism; no crowds, only a stress-free seashore vacation in a extremely particular place.
Lodging in Lake Malawi ranges from beachside resorts to non-public island getaways – one thing for all tastes, budgets and journeys.
Likoma Island, about midway up Lake Malawi, lies near the Mozambican shore. In contrast to Mumbo, Likoma is inhabited and has a small city well-known for its magnificent cathedral which is, amazingly, about the identical measurement as England‘s well-known Winchester Cathedral. Completely positioned on a rocky outcrop between two stunning seashores, Kaya Mawa has 12 stone-and-thatch chalets that lead straight to the clear waters of the lake. Pure Likoma is a magical island getaway with handcrafted furnishings produced from timber salvaged from outdated wood fishing boats, and native supplies, with some trendy touches.
On the southern shore of Lake Malawi is Cape Maclear, presumably the best-known vacation vacation spot on the lake. Forest-covered hills tumble right down to turquoise waters, village fishermen paddle previous in dugout canoes, and the golden sand is lined with backpackers and seashore bars giving Cape Maclear a vigorous ambiance. Many of the locations of curiosity round Cape Maclear, together with its offshore islands, type a part of the Lake Malawi Nationwide Park. Thumbi View Lodge gives funds beach-front lodging in Cape Maclear. Mumbo Island, a 30-minute boat switch from Cape Maclear (or for the adventurous traveller, a 2-hour paddle by canoe) is a laidback little island the place sandy trails meander by dappled forests and secret seashores lie hidden between granite boulders. Close by Pumulani Lodge is located on the westside of the Nankumba Peninsula within the South finish of Lake Malawi has its rooms constructed on the facet of a hill, providing you with spectacular views of the lake.
South of Cape Maclear, the palm-fringed Mangochi Lakeshore is well accessible from each Lilongwe and Blantyre. Mangochi has the best focus of accommodations and lodges on the lake but the seashores by no means really feel crowded and every lodge has a non-public stretch of sand dotted with thatched sunshades and welcoming solar beds. The highest place to remain on Mangochi Lakeshore is The Makokola Retreat which has thatched rooms in a wonderful backyard setting, an infinite swimming pool, a incredible spa and a 9 gap golf course adjoining to the retreat.
Slightly little bit of historical past
In a tragic chapter of sub-Saharan historical past, for years hundreds of captured slaves had been transported throughout the lake from the buying and selling centres of Karonga, Nkhotakota, and Salima. This was the shortest path to the island of Madagascar, then to Arabia and India.
Lake Malawi was additionally the scene of Britain’s first naval victory of the First World Warfare, when the SS Gwendolen sank the German ship Hermann von Wissmann with a single cannon shot from 2,000 yards. On 16 August 1914 the British gunboat SS Gwendolen, commanded by a Captain Rhoades, heard that World Warfare I had damaged out, and obtained orders to “sink, burn, or destroy” the German Empire’s solely gunboat on the lake, the Hermann von Wissmann, commanded by a Captain Berndt. The Gwendolen discovered the Hermann von Wissmann, in German East African territorial waters and disabled her with a single cannon shot – the primary naval battle of World Warfare I
Lake of Stars Competition
The Lake of Stars Competition is an annual three-day worldwide competition held on the shores of Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa. The primary competition passed off in 2004 and attracts over 4,000 attendees with musical acts drawn primarily from Africa and Europe in an extravaganza of worldwide, regional and native music, drama, dance, and poetry. (There might be no LOS competition in 2023 it’s been postponed to 2024).
When to go to
As a result of the temperatures are all the time nice, Lake Malawi is a wonderful place to go to year-round. Although should you had to decide on, the perfect time to go to might be within the dry season, Might – July. The temperatures might be cooler then. The moist season runs from October – March.
Journey inspiration
Malawi based mostly Crafted Africa have been planning and coordinating excursions to Malawi & Southern Africa for over 10 years and provide a incredible 11 day Lake of Stars Explorer itinerary that features The Makokola Retreat, Mumbo Island, Pumulani Lodge and Blue Zebra Lodge or an 8 day Lake Malawi Vacation exploring the stunning Pure Likoma and the luxurious Kaya Mawa each on Likoma Island.
Lake Malawi is greater than only a lake, it’s a vibrant ecosystem, a hub of native tradition, and a vital a part of the area’s wealthy heritage. Whether or not you’re a birder, an angler, a scuba diver, a hiker, a nature lover, or simply need to loosen up, Lake Malawi will enthral you with its mesmerizing magnificence. That is one among Africa’s greatest stored journey secrets and techniques.
