Located on the Malawi’s border with neighboring Mozambique, Lake Malawi is arguably the world’s richest lake when it comes to marine life living in its waters. The lake which is also known by its traditional name Lake Nyasa is home to more than 1000 species of fish and other marine life. It is the third largest Lake of the African continent as it spans on an area of more than 363 miles. The fishing industry of the Lake Malawi is the major economic activity of the hundreds of small villages that dot its banks. Lake Malawi has become a favorite tourist destination in Malawi because of its crystal clear water, exotic marine life and an awesome kayaking experience.
The huge lake has all the charms one can ask for, you can find the peace and solitude along its northern banks where there is not much activity other than a few traditional fishermen going out on their daily fishing routine or you can find some world class hotels and resorts with some excellent facilities along its southern bank. If you are arriving from abroad then you will be taking a cheap flight to Lilongwe, from where you can either travel with the bus services that connect the two banks of the lake with the city or hire a car to make the journey by your self. If you have decided to stay on the northern side of the lake then don’t forget to take the camping equipment with you as there are not many resorts in that particular part of the lake but it will surely provide you with the most relaxing vacation spot.
The southern part of the lake is comparably more famous with the tourists as they have many good quality resorts and hotels they can choose from. Most of these resorts offer equipment for water sports like kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters along the banks of the lake are lukewarm making it perfect for a shallow water swim. The exotic marine life of the lake makes it a great place for snorkeling enthusiasts and if you are a qualified scuba diver then you can always hire a boat to take you to the center of the lake and enjoy an awesome diving experience.
The biggest attraction on the northern bank of the lake is the world’s first fresh water national park, Cape Maclear. You will find thousands of fish species here but the real superstar that will catch your attention is the Lake Malawi’s Mbuna fish which is known worldwide for its beauty and its daring as it eats right out of the tourist’s hands. Kayaking is another exciting activity you can indulge yourself in and particularly kayaking to the islands of the lake has become a favorite attraction for many tourists that are arriving at Lake Malawi. There are quite a few small islands in the lake and many of them are not populated so you can take your camping equipment with you and spend a night out on these beautiful islands.
