Mbeya / Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania. It is located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania..

For its volume, it is the fourth largest fresh water lake in the world. It is the third largest and second deepest lake in Africa.

On the northern point of the Lake there is Matema, which is a town or better said, a fishing village with some agriculture. It is about 90 kilometres south-east of Mbeya Town.

It attracts a number of visitors coming to enjoy the peace of the sandy beach. The lake bottom is sandy with no vegetation, (therefore the risk of contracting schistosomiasis (bilharziosis) is very low). Mbamba Bay is located on the eastern shore of the lake Malawi.

On the straight profile of the lake, Mbamba bay is a natural indentation that represents a southernmost of Tanzania lake ports. Its beach is defined by palms, bananas and mango trees and it is ideal to spend a quiet and relaxing time.

TourSafari

CLIMATE

Rainy season is usually between November and May. At advancing of the season the heavy rainfalls can damages the road connecting Mbeya to Matema making difficult to reach the location.

Rainy season is hot, oppressive, and overcast. Warmest months are October to January to with an average ranging from 25°C (78,8°F) to 32°C (90°F). Dry season is warm, windy, and mostly clear. Coldest months are from June to August. Temperatures vary from 19°C (66,2°F) to 25°c (79°F)

HISTORY

Lake Malawi is a meromictic lake, which means that the layers ofcwater do not mix. Its total surface is about 29,600 square kilometres (11,400 sq mi) and at its deepest point is 706m (2,316ft).

It is between 560 kilometres (350 mi) and 580 kilometres (360mi) long and about 75 kilometres (47mi) wide at its widest point.

Malawi and Tanzania started disputing in 1967 in regards to the partition of the lake's surface. Tanzania claims the international border to run along the middle of the lake while Malawi claims the ownership of the entire surface that is not part of Mozambique.

Both countries refer to the Heligoland Treaty stipulated in 1890 between Great Britain and Germany.

According to this act, when the British colonial government conquered Tanganyika from Germany, placed all of the waters of the lake under the single jurisdiction of the territory of Nyasaland Only later in colonial times the jurisdiction of the Tanganyikan portion was considered.

In 2012, Malawi's oil exploration initiative raised again the issue, with Tanzania demanding exploration ending until the dispute is settled. Up to now, no official conclusion has been found.

economy

Most fishing provides food for the increasing human population near the lake and unfortunately overfishing, together with water pollution is constantly threatening the wildlife.

The chambo and kampango have been particularly overfished and the kampango declined by about 90% from 2006 to 2016.

ANIMALS

In Lake Malawi live more species of fish than in any other lake. There at least 700 species of cichlids. It is possible to find around Lake Malawi or Nyasa Nile crocodiles, hippopotamus and monkeys.

There are also Molluscs, crustaceans and lake flies.