LAKE MALAWI NATIONAL PARK
The Lake Malawi National Park is the world’s first freshwater national park and a World Heritage Site, found at Cape Maclear at the southern end of Lake Malawi. The park includes a land area around the cape and bay as well as the Lake and islands up to 100 metres (330ft) off shore. Here is a veritable aquarium of tropical fish in crystal clear waters providing a colourful kaleidoscopic display. The countless thousands of freshwater fish, the mbuna, are more abundant and varied here than anywhere else in the world. Boats are available for hire and the fish will feed directly from the hand. Away from the Lake, the park has baboons, antelope and hyrax, and, of course, there is a great variety of birdlife including fish eagles, cormorants and hamerkops.
From an historical perspective, Cape Maclear was the first attempted site of the Livingstiona Mission, but was doomed to fail and all that remains are the graves of the original missionaries.
Excellent up-market operations at Cape Maclear combine accommodation with lake activities. Mumbo Island and Domwe Island camps offer idyllic island getaways just off shore. The newly established Warm Heart Adventure Lodge is a good mid-market option right by the beach. Around the headland, but within the National Park is the most upmarket lodge – Pumulani by Robin Pope Safaris. Slightly further south along the lake, Norman Carr Cottage also provides a lovely lakeside option for accommodation.
The Lake Malawi National Park also covers the Marelli Islands further north than Cape Maclear. Accessed via Salima/Senga Bay these exclusive islands are now home to the luxurious Blue Zebra Island Lodge. The various lodges offer a large choice of water activities including snorkelling, diving and kayaking, as well as nature walks and occasional yoga retreat.
The lodge is owned by two couples of the Giannakis family: Dimitri and Mariangeles; Chris and Sylvia. Dimitri and Chris are twin brothers, decedents of the Yiannakis family who have been in Malawi since the 1920s. They were attracted by the opportunity of being part of the government’s conservation efforts for the preservation of the magnificent Marelli islands, which were threatened by ever growing population pressures in Malawi. Read More
Located on the beautiful shores of Lake Malawi National Park, Cape Maclear EcoLodge is the only fully Malawian run and operated lodge. Come visit us, to kayak, dive with our professional diving team, snorkel, have nice boatrides on the lake or stay in one of our lovely rooms. Our green and lush garden is a very relaxing place and our staff always welcomes you with a smile! Read More
An Englishman’s home is his castle! The unique Kachere Kastle, situated on the sandy shores of Lake Malawi is a calm haven; a place to escape and relax. Come and see for yourself … Russ and Kate fell in love with Malawi and then each other, later making Kachere their home. They both shared a dream – that of a castle on the shores of the beautiful Lake Malawi. Read More
Makuzi Beach Lodge is the perfect place for people looking for a location that offers complete privacy and an ideal place for social distancing. Makuzi Beach is situated on the beautiful northern lake shore of Malawi in its very own cove with tropical gardens and abundant bird and butterfly life. Makuzi is a family-owned business that we began in 1993. We built our lodge to be eco-friendly and used local materials and expertise to build our paradise. Over the years, we have established incredible gardens full of exotic fruits, spices, and plants, plus our vegetable and herb gardens. Read More
