The jewel in the crown of the country’s tourist attractions is Lake Malawi – the Rift Valley’s ‘Lake of Stars’ and third largest in Africa. Home to the world’s first freshwater National Park and covering a third of the country, it has a shoreline of idyllic golden sandy beaches lapped by gentle waves. Full of crystal clear fresh water, the lake is so vast that one side is rarely visible from the other. It is home to around 1000 species of brightly coloured tropical fish - more than all the lakes and rivers of Europe and North America put together! The fish will swim around you, and come up and boast their magnificence right in front of you,. They can be studied even closer when snorkelling or scuba diving.

Lake Malawi is not only a scenic wonderland but it provides a wide range of water sports beyond sunbathing and swimming. There is everything from snorkelling to paddleboarding, windsurfing to sailing and kiteboarding to kayaking. Accommodation is dotted along its shore and islands, mainly small friendly lodges, but to suit all budgets. From luxury lodges to rustic camps on deserted islands, all have their own piece of paradise and offer plenty of activities to keep you occupied, or simply a relaxing, secluded beach experience. Journeys on the Lake range from the famous ‘lake ferry’, the mv Ilala, to exploring on a kayak expedition or even trying out a traditional dugout canoe from one of the numerous fishing villages that dot the shoreline.