Lake Malawi is a gigantic reef tank where you can snorkel or scuba in the clear, warm water and see over 500 indigenous species of tropical fish, including Cichlids.

Cichlid collectors regard Lake Malawi as a holy of holies

Endless palm fringed beaches surround the Lake making it the focal point for Malawi's tourism industry. For the fish keeping enthusiast Lake Malawi is a holy of holies - one of the few places in the world where he/she can observe the fishes they collect in their natural habitat. And at the same time enjoy an affordable back-to-nature holiday with game safaris thrown in at little extra cost.

Malawi is a landlocked country located in south-eastern Africa. It is bordered in the north and the east by Tanzania, on the east, south and southwest by Mozambique and to the west by Zambia.

Travelling in Malawi is safe for backpackers

Traveling throughout Malawi is generally safe and very cost efficient. You will find backpacker or hostel accommodation in most towns and many villages and excellent hotels and lodges around the Lake.. September/October is the best time to visit because the water is usually very clear as it's the end of the dry season. The rain doesn't start until mid/end November.

Legendary dive sites of Cape Maclear

Lake Malawi National Park at the southern end of the lake was established to protect the unique diversity of the tropical fish, some not found anywhere else on earth. The Nankhumba Peninsula, forms the centerpiece of a miniature archipelago of twelve islands, and encompasses Cape Maclear, where you are in easy range of a number of legendary dive sites where you can scuba and snorkel.

Hang out here for a few days, canoe, scuba, snorkel and you’ll actually become blasé about rock-dwelling Mbunas. This is cichlid paradise. Forget the Big Five - this underwater game viewing experience matches anything that the continent has to offer.

In each dive you won't believe the variety of fish you encounter and how close you get to them. You almost have to push them away to take pictures. You will be knocked out by how much more dazzling and vivid their bright colors appear when they are right in front of your nose.

Travel to Kambiri Point, right on the lakeshore on Senga Bay, 20 kilometers from Salima town and 120 kilometres from Lilongwe - another good kick-off point to explore. If you prefer to sleep under the Southern Cross, catch a ride on a boat to Chiofu Camp and pitch a tent. You can’t get there by road.

Take a streamer to the north to Nkhata Bay on Lake Malawi

Nkhata Bay on Lake Malawi is a great place to just relax and mix with the friendly villagers and enjoy the bustle of their daily life in the village. Of course, the birdlife and the underwater life are also great. Nkhata Bay is 50 km east of Mzuzu in the northern part of the country. You can take a bus or the steamer to get here.

If you're a Cichlid-person, find out via the Net or Cichlid circles if you're able to bring fishes back home with you. There are catchers who operate on the lake and if you are nice to them, you may be able to watch them work and learn more about the fish in their natural habitat.

Lake Malawi is a paradise getaway for Cichlid fanatics and also for folks who just want a relaxed, sunny holiday among amazingly friendly people with great scuba and snorkeling thrown in as a leisure activity.

Tips:

• Dress codes for women in pants or short shirts and men with long hair don’t exist anymore, but dress modestly.
• Official language – English. Local language is Chichewa and the currency is Malawi Kwacha.
• Make life easier for yourself and change your money at the airport. The banks and ATMs in the bigger towns are very slow.
• Malaria is present – take precautions.

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