One of the most popular features on Malawi tours is Lake Malawi. One of the interesting things about Lake Malawi is that it actually lies in three countries: Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania. This means, among other things, that the name is something of a sore spot. According to Wikipedia, Lake Malawi is called Lake Nyasa (Lake Nyassa, Lake Niassa, or Lake Liasso) in most other African countries. Lake Malawi is really only called Lake Malawi by foreign tourists and Malawi himself.
Mozambique owns at least a quarter of the lake, and earlier this year the Mozambican government declared the lake a reserve. The Mozambique part of the lake includes the islands of Likoma and Chizumulu, the only two inhabited islands in the lake.
Tanzania has also fought over its ownership stake in the lake. Tanzania would like Malawi to respect the international border determined by the Germans and the British before 1914. This divided the lake into two equal halves. Malawi is reluctant to see this point of view, understandably because the division was ruled by colonialists without regard to traditional borders.
Despite all the controversy, Malawi has turned the lake into a major tourist attraction. It is also known as the Lake of Stars, as David Livingstone poetically called it, and the Lake of Storms. It contains the highest density of cichlids in the world, is rich in catfish, and is home to crocodiles, hippos, monkeys, ospreys, and the endangered painted hunting dog, thought to be extinct.
attractions around lake malawi include:
Chintheche, which is popular because it contains some of the best lakeside beaches. There are many different accommodation options, mainly luxury accommodation. In addition to all the water sports, those with a cultural mine can check out the Bandawe Mission, which is of great historical significance.
Lake Malawi National Park, which is a World Heritage Site and includes several islands in the lake, as well as a significant area of land around the lake.
Nkhata Bay, which is one of the largest villages on the lake. Its main reason for existence is fishing and it has a sheltered port for this purpose, but it also contains many campsites, lodges and cabins for tourists.
Nkhotakota, which is another of the larger towns around the lake. It used to be a prime location for the slave trade and is now famous for its pottery.
· Dwangwa, north of Nkhotakota, contains a large sugar plantation and is largely driven by the local fishing industry. Its main attraction is Ngala Beach Lodge.
· Karonga, which is another former slave town that has since become a cultural haven with a museum dedicated to everything from turbulent history to archaeology.
· On the Mozambican side of the lake you will find the beautiful little island of Likoma and the Manda Wilderness Community Reserve.