Lake Malawi, Africa’s third largest fresh-water lake, is Malawi’s main geographical feature. The lake lies in the Great Rift Valley and covers over a fifth of Malawi. Most edges of the lake are naturally sandy while the strip between the lake and the valley wall varies from 10km wide to barely enough for a foot path.

The lake makes a gorgeous resort and there are dozens of beautiful beaches along the Malawi-side of the lake. Nkhata Bay, Monkey Bay, Senga Bay and Likoma Island are among the best resort spots. Snorkeling and Scuba diving are wildly popular here and many resorts offer Scuba certification at the lowest price you will ever find. See the Places to see in Malawi section to learn more about these spots.

Perhaps Lake Malawi’s greatest feature is the life that is carries. Lake Malawi is host to more fish species than any other lake in the world. In fact, the vast majority of the species found in Lake Malawi are totally unique and can’t be found anywhere else. The largest family of fish is the beautifully colored Cichlidae (see the images on the side). Other fish families include Usipa (very small thin fish), Mpasa (also known as lake Salmon) and Kampango (similar to Catfish in the States). Probably the most popular fish to eat is Chambo (similar to Trout).

Malawian’s catch fish in two traditional ways; netting and a traditional fishing rod.

Netting takes just about all day (or sometimes several days in the lower seasons). A group of two or three “dug-out” canoes (carved from old tree trunks) lay a 300 meter long net parallel to the coast in the early morning. At dusk two groups of “pullers” slowly drag in the net from the shore. The net slowly scrapes along the bottom of the lake bed and can potentially bring in a hundred or more fish.

The traditional fish rod consists of a one meter long thin stick of bamboo with a three to five meter long piece of string tied to the end. A home made hook with a worm or an insect is tied to the end of the string. The bamboo rod is bent back and released, sending the string and hook out into the water. The trick is to pull at just the right time. Give it a try when you visit the lake!