Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa among many other names, is a beautiful lake that is probably the main setting for some marine biologists’ dreams every night. This lake is supposed to be home to more species of fish than any other body of fresh water on Earth, which isn’t too surprising once you hear the fact that Lake Malawi is also the eighth largest lake in the world. . Located in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa, it is also the third largest lake in Africa.
People have depended for more than a thousand years for food on the abundant wildlife that resides in Lake Malawi, home to more than a thousand species of cichlids and purveyor of tasty fish such as the kampango, a catfish. Many species of fish have evolved from the waters of Lake Malawi, most notably cichlids and various other animals. Naturally, at least a few extremely exotic fish species have evolved from these waters, such as the rare Mbuna fish, much sought after by avid aquarists due to its brilliant colouring. As a result, the lake is not only a great source of food, but also the source of employment for thousands of Malawi fishermen, net and canoe makers and fish traders. Unfortunately, overfishing and water pollution threaten the future potential of wildlife here.
Lake Malawi is an attractive tourist spot, with most of its tourists visiting during the dry season, which lasts from April to November. The rainy season, on the other hand, lasts from December to March. Because the wet season is preceded by a very hot and humid period between November and December, the dry season is the ideal time to visit Lake Malawi.
The Malawi government has taken great strides to ensure the lake is not overly commercialized or overcrowded, and has done a good job so far. The northern part of the lake has been largely untouched by tourists and is therefore in a pristine and unspoiled condition. The beaches are almost never crowded. One of the main forms of human activity you’ll see in Lake Malawi is likely to be the fish dealers, who sell thousands upon thousands of silver-colored fish that are dried, smoked and sold in huts.
However, most of the permanent settlements, hotels, and campgrounds can only be found in the southern part of the lake. There, one can snorkel, dive, sail, and do just about any type of fun recreational activity that can be done on any major beach. The lake itself has a beautiful warm temperature of 74 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Before anyone visits Lake Malawi, they should know that malaria is a concern here, so tourists should do their best to minimize mosquito bites by using insect repellents and trying to sleep in buildings treated with mosquito nets. Never let your guard down against mosquitoes.
In conclusion, Lake Malawi has experienced plenty of historical legacies, ranging from hosting a naval battle between the British and the Germans to being the evolutionary site of an eclectic array of more than 450 species of tropical freshwater fish. . Its sheer size alone is enough to suggest that it still has its fair share of untold mysteries yet to be discovered.