Lake Malawi is one of Africa’s most unusual holiday destinations – a huge freshwater lake set against an endless horizon of crystal clear saphire waters, golden sand beaches, and lush forest vistas. Nicknamed the ‘Lake of Stars’ because of the way lantern-lit fishing boats shimmer on its waters at night, it’s surrounded by scattered beach resorts, lodges, and local villages.
The perfect destination for a fun-packed beach holiday, you can swim, boat, or kayak in a traditional dugout canoe. And with a greater diversity of fish and marine life than any other freshwater lake in the world, Lake Malawi is an underwater treasure trove for snorkeling and diving. For those who prefer a slower pace on vacation, you can fish or take a boat trip around the lake, and then watch the bright red sun set while sipping a cold beer beneath a giant baobab tree.
Lake Malawi, or ‘Lake Nyasa’ as it’s also called in Tanzania, is an incredible 570 km long and 75 km wide at its wide points, with depths of up to 700 meters. This means that the lake isn’t just huge, it’s the 4th largest in the world and is estimated to contain around 7% of all the planet’s available surface freshwater. Situated right along Tanzania’s south western border, the enormous lake also reaches far into the neighboring countries of Mozambique and Malawi.
All in all, Lake Malawi is one of the most frequently overlooked beach vacation destinations, despite its fantastic weather, beautiful beaches, wide range of activities, and very competitive prices. While visiting you’ll experience the finest hospitality, be able to explore lively market places, and immerse yourself in the culture of the Tanzanian lakeside community. A fantastic holiday spot for families with children, couples, and solo travelers who are looking to experience a slice of genuinely unspoilt lakeside paradise.
How To Get to Lake Malawi, Tanzania?
For international visitors, you’ll need to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near the city of Arusha. The average overall flight times for the journey generally range between 8 to 10 hours from Europe, and about 16 to 20 hours from North America. You’ll normally need to catch a connecting flight from a major global travel hub en route, such as Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), Dubai International Airport (DXB), or Istanbul International Airport (IST).
Once you reach Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you’ll need to catch a domestic flight to Songwe Airport near the town of Mbeya, in the southern highlands of Tanzania. From Mbeya, it’s a 2 to 3 hour drive to the shores of Lake Malawi, depending on where you’re staying along the shore. The drive takes you through tea plantations, forested highland landscapes, and traditional rural villages, before you descend down into the valleys towards the endless expanse of the lake below.
There’s quite a few places that you can stay along the shores of the lake, but one of the most popular is the town of Mbamba Bay. This is situated right on the lakeside and has a pretty good choice of accommodation, as well as other amenities, and the lodges offer visitors a nice selection of activities to enjoy during their stay.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Lake Malawi, Tanzania?
The ideal time to visit the Tanzanian side of Lake Malawi is during the nation’s dry season, between June and October. At this time of year the skies are clear, humidity levels remain low, and the calm waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. Day time temperatures in the dry season range from about 24 to 28 Degrees Celsius by the lake and cool down in the evenings to about 12 to 15 Degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, from November through til April Tanzania has its rainy season. This is not such a great time to visit Lake Malawi because the season brings extremely high levels of humidity, massive tropical downpours of heavy rain, and day time temperatures that regularly exceed 30 Degrees Celsius – as well as large swarms of mosquitos! What’s more, the heavy rains cloud the waters of the lake and significantly reduce the visibility for snorkeling.
Overall, Tanzania’s dry season is undoubtedly the best time to visit Lake Malawi, when the weather is warm, dry, and sunny.
What To Do At Lake Malawi, Tanzania?
The Tanzanian side of Lake Malawi, or Lake Nyasa as locals call it, is less developed than the Malawian side. However, this gives visitors a much more authentic experience and you won’t need to worry about overcrowding. The safest, and easiest way to enjoy the lake is to stay at an established lodge which puts on activities for its guests and helps out with travel, provides tips for how to make the most of your stay, and can help if you need any other advice.
Visitors should not expect to experience all the high tech mod cons during their time at Lake Malawi. Internet access is often hard to come by, as is cable TV! But if you’re worried about staying connected during your travels, then you can buy a mobile data plan with a Tanzanian Sim card for your time in the country. The most reliable local providers are Airtel and Vodacom which give you a good connection to basic 4G services, so you can use your phone or laptop to access emails and other online necessities.
Stay at the Mbamba Bay BioCamp Lodge
Mbamba Bay Biocamp Lodge is a small, eco-friendly lodge right on the shores of Lake Malawi in southern Tanzania. It provides the perfect blend of home comforts with a deeply immersive experience of the lakeside lifestyle.
The lodge consists of specially designed bungalows and traditional huts, all built from bio-friendly locally sourced materials. Each bungalow and guest hut has its own private en suite bathroom facilities, comfortable beds, and a front terrace just a stone’s throw from the shores of Lake Malawi. What’s more, if you’d like to sleep under the stars, you can even opt to stay in a safari-style tent by the shore.
The lodge is highly focused on providing sustainable and responsible tourism in a way that does not negatively impact the pristine local surroundings. It uses solar power for its electricity, biogas for cooking and heating, and even has its own water resources. The lodge also provides employment opportunities for the local community and works closely with regional sustainable agricultural projects.
During your stay you can enjoy meals at the lodge’s restaurant, unwind in the bar, or relax in the outdoor garden spaces. The lodge also facilitates a nice range of activities around the lake, including swimming, boat trips, and village walks and tours. A truly heart warming destination, Mbamba Bay is a dream destination for a one-of-a-kind beach vacation.
You can find out more about the Mbamba Bay Biocamp Lodge, and book your bungalow at the official website, here.
Boat Safari Tour of Lake Malawi with Snorkeling
Setting out from Mbamba Bay Biocamp Lodge, this 3 hour guided boat safari is a great way to explore the stunning vistas of Lake Malawi. You’ll have the chance to see the lake’s birdlife up close, including the iconic African fish eagle, the ubiquitous Pied Kingfisher, the Great cormorant, and the elegant African darter. As the motorboat crisscrosses the crystal-clear waters you’ll visit Lundo Island while your guide explains all about the ecology of the lake and points out interesting features along the shore.
After exploring the lake, your guide will take you to a safe spot – away from the hippos and crocodiles – where you can snorkel and experience the world’s most biodiverse freshwater lakes. After you’ve been snorkeling, you’ll stop off in a peaceful bay for a relaxing picnic lunch where views of the lake are framed by the mountain-framed horizon across the waters.
Ideal for families, couples, and small group tours, you can find out more about this lovely day trip, here.
Join a Guided Hike of Lake Malawi’s Exotic Shores
Departing from Mbamba Bay Biocamp Lodge, this guided hike is an absolute must-do activity for anyone staying by the lake. Your guide will lead the way as you hike through the exotic flora and fauna that surrounds Lake Malawi. You’ll see the pristine wilderness of southern Tanzania, as well as pass through fruit orchards and traditional local farms, including the Biocamp’s own organic farm.
Your guide will teach you about traditional edible and medical plants that grow in the wild, hear stories and legends about the regional culture, and be able to ask any questions you have during the trek. Finally, you’ll ascend up to a stunning view point where you’ll enjoy panoramic views across Lake Malawi, before heading back to the Biocamp with plenty of time for a lake swim before dinner in the evening.
You can find out more about the guided walking tour of the shores of Lake Malawi, and book your places, here.
Traditional Dugout Canoe Tour of the Lake
For many locals, the dugout canoe is the main mode of transport on the lake, but it’s used for fishing as well. On this tour, departing from the Mbamba Bay BioCamp Lodge, you’ll have the chance to explore the lake in a canoe that was hand carved from a single tree trunk. Once you’re out on the water you’ll feel the absolute peace and calm of the quiet lake, and with only other fishermen for company, you’ll be swept away by your time on Lake Malawi.
Guided by an expert local boatsman, you’ll journey around the lakeshore to see some of the more interesting coves and hidden bays, before heading back to the Biocamp lodge. A wonderful way to contemplate the natural beauty of the area, this dugout canoe tour is a lovely option for a delightful afternoon on the lake.
You can book your dugout canoe tour at the front desk of the Mbamba Bay Biocamp lodge, or see more details, here.
Eat at Bagamoyo Seafood Bar
This is one of Mbamba Bay’s most legendary restaurants where super fresh seafood and international cuisine is served right on the shores of Lake Malawi. Specializing in freshwater fish and barbecue meats, the restaurant serves fresh catches from the lake as well as grilled favourites, salads, and side dishes. The restaurant also has a fully stocked bar, so you can wash down your BBQ meat and fish with an ice cold drink as you take in the views of Lake Malawi.
Definitely no need for black-tie dress, this is a friendly, informal, relaxed restaurant where you can unwind with your friends and family or chat with other guests at the bar.
You can find out more about the Bagamoyo Seafood Bar, and reserve your table for dinner by the shore, here.
