Lake Malawi is a beautiful fresh water lake that takes up about a third of the landlocked country of Malawi in Central/Southern Africa. The lake is 360 miles long and 52 miles wide, (hence sometimes known as the "calendar lake"). Mozambique and Tanzania border the lake as well, and in those countries it's known as Lake Nyassa. The waters of the lake are beautifully clear, perfect for swimming and snorkeling among the thousands of species of colorful Cichlids. Golden beaches, sleepy fishing villages and plenty of budget accommodation makes Lake Malawi a favorite destination for backpackers and Overlanders.

Lake Malawi - Why Visit?:

Lake Malawi is a paradise for those who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, diving, and of course sunbathing. I spent every school holiday here growing up, and have never found a place that's comparable. The waters are mostly calm, clear as crystal and there are no big, ugly tourist resorts anywhere along its coastline. While you can sail, fish, ride horses and water-ski around the lake, everything is low-key, quite affordable and relaxed. The sunsets are spectacular, the beer is good and the locals are incredibly friendly. Marijuana is likely to be offered, but it is illegal so just take care.

Southern Lake Shore:

The southern lake shore is the most popular area of the lake, check out: Senga Bay -- Close to Lilongwe, the beaches are good, but the lake can get rough. Mangochi area - Easy to get to from Blantyre, several of the bigger lodges are here. Beaches are perfect and the lake is calm. Cape Maclear - Backpackers heaven, calm waters, nice snorkeling and diving around the rocks of Otters Point and off Mumbo Island. Monkey Bay - Useful as a transport hub and to get provisions. You'll have to walk to get to a good beach. Nkudzi Bay and Namaso Bay - are perfect, rent a house from an expat.

Northern Lake Shore:

Malawi's northern lake shore is much less developed than the southern shore. Less populated in general, the North is also chillier during the rainy season, but perfect when it's hot. Towns like Livingstonia and Karonga also offer a dash of history and culture to entice you away from the beach. Perfect places to stay include: Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay (Chikale Beach), Dwangwa, Kande Beach, and Chintheche.