Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi, in short Nyasa is the third in Africa and ninth largest lake in the world. This is a true tropical paradise with the greatest variety of exotic fish species than any other freshwater lake in the world. Here the sun never sets though, because almost throughout the year the temperature rarely falls below 22-23 degrees. The cooler period is from May to August and from December to April is hot and humid.

The geographic location of the pool water is between Malawi , Mozambique and Tanzania. Lake Malawi occupies one fifth of the country along almost the entire eastern border. Its total area is about 29, 600 sq. km. Formed as a result of displacement of tectonic plates in East Africa, it is situated in the eastern Rift Valley.

The lake is extremely rich in species, which are very rare worldwide. Sometimes Lake Malawi is called "Calendar Lake" because it is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide.

With its rich flora and fauna the park, which is part of the world's natural heritage is extremely important for studying the evolution of species on our planet.

Its founder is considered to be David Livingstone, who was the first European who managed to reach the lake. He stepped on its shores in 1859 and called it Lake Nyasa or "lake of stars" because of his glistening water surface.

Interestingly, across the park there are no settlements, while the shores of the lake are crowded by people.

Local people are fed only on fish in the area because the soil is extremely poor in nutrients and is quite barren. Fish catches are the only sector in which locals can make money. But the enormous populations are decreasing because of excessive fishing activities and pollution.

Fauna can be observed in the woody hills, lagoons, and natural swamps and reeds. Most common are wild boars, leopards, hippos, monkeys, and less able to encounter is the elephant.

All along the lake is provided transportation , mostly by small steam boats.