About Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is situated in Malawi. Lake Malawi budget travel is perfect for travelers seeking fun in the sun, with swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving to enjoy.

Lake Malawi Budget Travel

Below is a list of Lake Malawi's top activities, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Kande Beach Horse Riding, Kande Beach Scuba Diving, Malawi Village Walk & Meal

View all activities in Lake Malawi

Airports

Lake Malawi nearest airports include:
• Kamuzu Lilongwe Airport
• Monkey Bay airstrip

Birdlife

With a startling array of species to be seen, Lake Malawi birdlife brings visitors to the shores year after year. The density of Fish Eagle around Lake Malawi is one of the highest anywhere in Africa, and there are also a number of parrots, kingfisher, ibis, crane, waders and heron to be found around the varied habitats surrounding the lake.

Conservation

Lake Malawi conservation aims to restore and protect the assorted freshwater ecosystems within the lake and surrounds. A section of the lake at Cape Maclear in the south, has been declared the world's first freshwater game reserve, Lake Malawi National Park, and is a protected area preserving a multitude of fish, animals, birds and plant life.

Money

Lake Malawi money and banking info includes:
• Very few villages and towns along the lake accept credit cards
• Banks can be found in major cities
• Travelers cheques are seldom accepted, so cash these in Lilongwe
• The Malawi currency is the Kwacha
• ATMs are very seldom found in any of the villages or towns

Plants

Once a densely wooded area, Lake Malawi plant life is now fairly sparse. The areas around the lake are comprised of shrubby vegetation and cultivated land, while the upper slopes are dominated by mountain acacia and woodlands. The underwater rocks are densely coated with algae which support the large numbers of fish.

Safety Tips

• Lake Malawi is very safe, with very little crime in any of the towns or villages around the lake
• Be careful when swimming in some parts which may have hippo or crocodile
• Only qualified scuba divers should attempt to dive in the lake ' there are many dive schools in the area however
• The roads can be very bad in rainy season so drive carefully
• Take basic precautions when visiting the national park and do not feed or touch the wildlife

Travel Books

Lake Malawi recommended travel books include:
• Malawi Cichlids in Their Natural Habitat by Ad Konings
• The land of the lake: A guide to Malawi by David Tattersall
• Malawi: The Bradt Travel Guide by Philip Briggs and Mary-Anne Bartlett
• Lonely Planet Malawi by David Else

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Malawi

Wildlife

Lake Malawi wildlife is diverse, ranging from fresh water marine life to land animals. Large fish such as lake salmon, catfish and breem can be seen, as well as approximately 1,000 different species brightly coloured little fish called cichlids. Reptiles include large monitor lizards, shiny skinks and opaque geckos, while larger mammals include baboons, antelopes and hyrax.