MALAWI - LAKE MALAWI
In
depth guide to the seasons, animals, birds and wildlife
habitats of the African safari region of Lake Malawi in Malawi.
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request a private safari tour of Lake
Malawi, click here >>> |
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Lake
Malawi is one of the Great Rift Valley
lakes and lies in a depression which plunges
well below sea level - to a depth of at 2,300ft
( ) in the north. It is the third largest
lake in Africa and has impressive proportions
with approximate dimensions of 365 miles (584km)
north to south and 52 miles (83km) wide. Half
the south-eastern section of the lake belongs
to Mozambique with the border running through
the centre of the water, while Tanzania lies
along the north-eastern shore.
Malawi is a long
thin landlocked country, so the lake is extremely
important as it takes up about one fifth of
the country and many people make their living
from it.
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There
are four busy ports and hundreds of fishing
villages. However, there are still many stretches
that are completely deserted with plenty of
sandy beaches.
Lake
Malawi bears many qualities of a sea
except salty water and for much of the year
it is placid and welcoming, while at other times
strong winds and storms can produce surfable
waves. A section of the lake at Cape Maclear
in the south, has been declared the world's
first freshwater National Park and includes
the peninsula of land and several islands.
This
is more than all the freshwater species of Europe
and USA put together.
There are also larger
edible fish such as mpasa (lake salmon), vundu
(catfish) and tilapia (breem), but fishermen have
been complaining that their catches are getting
smaller. The national park is a sanctuary for
the biologically unique, often brightly coloured
little fish called cichlids, much prized by freshwater
aquarium enthusiasts. These fish have adapted
very quickly in evolutionary terms, resulting
in a prolific number of species. More than 500
have been recorded but it is thought there could
be 1,000 different species in the lake. |
| ANIMALS
& BIRDS - AQUATIC LIFE
Lake
Malawi's sub-aqua life is astounding
and it can be like snorkelling in an aquarium.
Many of the chichlids shine like polished silver
as the sun refracts in the water, but there
are many others like Cobalt Zebras and Mumbo
Yellow (only found around Mumbo island within
the national park), whose names reveal their
dazzling colours.
Bird watching is
an absolute pleasure and can be bewildering,
as there is sometimes too much to look at! Within
the national park it is not uncommon to find
a pair of territorial fish eagles every 100
yards (100 metres). There are also countless
kingfishers, herons and cormorants, all patrolling
for food at different heights. |
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Reptile
life is excellent with large monitor lizards,
shiny skinks warming themselves on rocks and
opaque geckos that come to life at night. Animals
that might be seen on land are baboons, antelopes
and hyrax. |
| SEASONS
Rainy
Seasons: It usually rains from November
to March and the storms are unpredictable. The
air is clean at this time and there is no haze
over the lake.
The rain diminishes in April and May followed
by gentle winds and calm water.
Dry Season: July is cool and
a little unsettled with more wind usually from
the south east. The wind drops in August &
September and the water becomes calmer. October
is one of the best months as the lake is calm
and very clear and the air is hot.
LAKE
MALAWI SPECIALITIES
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Swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving amongst
colourful fish
• Warm lake water
• Fish Eagles
• Fresh fish for supper
• Watersports
• Friendly people
FACTS
This
is a malarial area
Malawi tourism: email: enquiries@malawitourism.com |
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Follow the links below to Malawi's premier wildlife regions
and game reserves
PRIVATE
SAFARI LODGES WE RECOMMEND IN THE LAKE MALAWI REGION |
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