Central Lakeshore
Lake Malawi is Africa's third largest and second deepest lake. Measuring just short of 600 km (370
miles) north to south and 80 km (50 miles) wide in places, it dominates the eastern side of Malawi
and constitutes roughly 20% of its surface area. For the people of Malawi, the lake is an integral part
of their cultural heritage and a vast trove of natural resources – with fish species such as chambo
forming the primary protein source of the nearly 20 000 people that live on the lakeshore and
beyond.
Along the central lakeshore, palm-fringed beaches and soaring mountains surround the warm
crystal-clear waters. Picturesque fishing villages dot the shoreline, their cultures unchanged for
thousands of years.
On the shores, miombo woodland and baobabs occur, and mammals such as baboon, vervet
monkey, dassies and hippo are most commonly sighted. Birdlife is abundant, with over 100 bird
species – particularly waterbirds. Lake Malawi is dominated by the ubiquitous African fish-eagles,
but enthusiasts will be rewarded with sightings of the shyer and less common forest birds that
inhabit the bush around the tents, such as the north-eastern hypoxanthus subspecies of sombre
greenbul. Other species seen include African harrier-hawk, trumpeter hornbill, white-breasted
cormorant, water thick-knee, African paradise-flycatcher and a variety of herons, weavers, doves
and starlings. Nearby remnant patches of lowland forest harbour further exciting bird species
including grey-olive greenbul, African broadbill, green malkoha and Narina trogon.
Beneath its waters a wide range of underwater habitats, including sandy, weedy, rock-sand
interface and reed beds, harbour an abundant wealth and diversity of mostly endemic aquatic life.
Lake Malawi supports over 2 000 species of freshwater fish: a greater variety than any other lake on
Earth, more than all of Europe and North America combined. The majority of these are colourful
fish called cichlids (locally named mbuna) of which Lake Malawi contains more than 400 types, or
30% of all known species. Much of this astounding underwater diversity is protected within the Lake
Malawi National Park at Cape Maclear in the south, the first in the world set aside for the protection
of freshwater fish and a World Heritage Site.
A number of islands are dotted throughout Lake Malawi, separated from the mainland by
alternating bands of sandy flats and deep water. On Mumbo Island the mammals present are the
spotted-necked otter and the rarer Cape clawless otter. Mumbo Island Camp is noteworthy for the
high occurrence of rainbow skinks and large water monitors in particular. Snakes identified include
the variegated bush snake and African rock python (both non-venomous).
CAMPS IN THIS CONCESSION: CHINTHECHE INN; MUMBO ISLAND CAMP
© Wilderness Safaris 2013