Lake Malawi is the last lake in the enormous East African Rift System, one of the great African Lakes in a league of its own and a holiday destination in magical Malawi like no other. Voyage2Africa sells mind-blowing Malawi lake resorts and packages to this huge charismatic lake between the three countries of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. We can recommend some of the best Malawi lodges, eco-lodges, luxury villas, special waterside hotels and camps along the lake banks. Lake Malawi is a vital water source, a biodiversity hotspot and a conservation area for vital endangered species.
Known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, Lake Malawi resembles a dream island haven with its gentle open waters, its white sandy beaches and the many accommodation venues dotted along its pretty shores. It’s known as the fifth-largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, the ninth-largest lake in the world by area, and the third-largest and second-deepest lake in Africa.
To many English people, Lake Malawi is fondly called Livingstone’s Lake because Dr David Livingstone found it and explored it decades ago. Lake Malawi National Park conserves some of the lakes, as does Lake Niassa Reserve on the Mozambique side.
Find a place to stay in one of the Malawi Resorts overlooking golden sandy beaches of massive Lake Malawi fringed with natural forests and wildlife havens. Enter a magical paradise and swim with more than 1 000 Cichlid fish, mostly endemic to this lake. Watch fascinating bird species flit around in the trees, dive into the gorgeous sapphire waters of this natural phenomenon for some of the most rewarding adventures you will ever experience.
Wildlife found in and around Lake Malawi or Nyasa includes Nile crocodiles, hippos, monkeys and many African Fish Eagles that love the fish species in the water. The many different fish have fed the local communities for centuries who like to eat the four species of Chambo – some 56,000 fishermen harvest more than 100,000 tons of fish every year.
Way out in the middle of Lake Malawi float two gorgeous islands called Likoma and Chizumulu, owned by Malawi but in the Mozambique waters. Likoma Island sticks out with its landmark stone Anglican cathedral, built by missionaries in the early 20th century. Both islands feature fabulous Baobab trees with their prehistoric trunks growing into the blue haze and a few thousand local people live here, growing tropical fruits and fishing for food.
Lake Malawi is a meromictic lake, meaning that its water layers do not mix, stretching a vast 560 kilometres by 580 kilometres and about 75 kilometres at its widest point. It’s an ancient lake in the East African Rift Valley where the tectonic plate split in two, making the country between 1 and 2 million years old!
The southern end of Lake Malawi is a World Heritage Site National Park mostly to protect the diverse and rare fish species found within these waters only. This makes the lake an important global biodiversity hotspot, as well as its spectacular setting, scenery, depth, and centre for migrating bird species. The thousand or so cichlid fish are also known as “mbuna” in the local language and are an evolutionary species which has adapted over the years to varying ecological changes and systems.
Choose a Malawi beach holiday for its breathtaking beauty, its exceptional habit variations from rocky beaches and white sandy shores to lush lakeside forests, wetlands and lagoons. There is so much to do here besides chilling on a beach – go hiking, explore the nearby villages and forests, swim, try exciting new water sports and get out snorkelling and scuba diving to find extraordinary biodiversity.
Take a day or two to explore the must-see town of Cape Maclear, nestling on the southern shore of Lake Malawi and the most popular and vibrant holiday destination on the lake. It’s a unique African holiday destination offering island-style beauty and leisure activities. Accommodation at Cape Maclear ranges from rustic backpacker lodgings, campsites in nature and eco-villas to 5-star luxury and fully inclusive resorts, lodges and hotels. There’s a modern, international vibe here where funky beach bars line the shores, restaurants and cafes thrum out music and local village children play all day.
Enjoy a cruise into this part of the lake and discover the world’s first-ever freshwater nature reserve! Take a drive to explore the homes of the local people, in sleepy fishing villages peppering the shores. Get out of the crowds to lavish lodges spread out along the shores featuring rim-flow swimming pools, manicured lawns, and world-class foods.
Take your family on a captivating safari tour to the gorgeous beaches and waters of Lake Malawi a haven of biodiversity and great accommodation. Take the kids to see the colourful cichlid fish species, the majestic fish eagles and lush forests. A few days at Lake Malawi are refreshing, educational and active too – quite a thrill for families and friends who want to be out on lake beaches and in warm waters being active and healthy.
We show you top-of-the-range lakeside lodges and luxury camps in this region where children will feel in awe of this lush environment and want to run free. On your Malawi family holidays – there are hikes, horse rides, scuba dives and snorkelling adventures. Get a boat and go fish. Visit the local people and taste their foods. It’s a diverse holiday in paradise and family suites are available wherever you go!
Plan a Malawi beach holiday and safari with Voyage2Africa, the African travel experts, and enjoy signature experiences to premier wildlife destinations south of the equator. We bring you thrilling adventures in the infinite spaces of the great Lake Malawi, then resting time to photograph the captivating landscape. Choose your Malawi Resorts – from a rustic chic beach-style camp with luxury facilities and get ready to explore more of Malawi soon. We offer you some of the best accommodation and special packages in Lake Malawi to expand your Lake Malawi holiday in true African style.
