Lake Nyasa

Lake Malawi (also known as Lake Nyasa in most countries, or Lake Nyassa, Lake Niassa, or Lago Niassa in Mozambique), is an African Great Lake and the southmost lake in the Great Rift Valley system of East Africa. This lake, the third largest in Africa and the eighth largest lake in the world, is located between Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

It is the second deepest lake in Africa, though its placid northern shore gives no hint of its depth.

This great lake's tropical waters reportedly are the habitat of more species of fish than that of any other body of water on the Earth.

The Nyasa (Nyasa means "lake") is located at the south-west of Tanzania,

The lake lies in three countries' territory; Tanzania and Malawi. However, it is bordered by three countries, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. It is the third largest in Africa (after Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika) with 550 kilometers length and 75 kilometers width, covering an area of more than 11,400 square kilometers. In some parts, the lake is as deep as 700 meters.

The lake lies in the sided walls of mountain ranges: the forested Livingston Mountains and Nyika Plateau, which provide the magnificent view of the lake from far and the landscape for hikers and backpackers.

L.Nyasa is also among the Great Rift Valley's lakes, which shares some of the characteristics with lake Tanganyika.

The lake has a distinctive characteristic: 14 rivers pouring their waters into the lake, and only one river which flows out to the sea, River Shire. Some parts of the lake offer nice beaches and places to swim.

Matema, in the northern part of the lake is considered to be the best beach for people who like to relax swim along the lake shore.

In contrast to other lakes the water of L. Nyasa is bilharzias free. There are also caves and interesting waterfalls to see. Other activities include local canoeing ride down the river, hiking on surrounding mountains.

Though Lake Nyasa does not receive many tourists, the lake is magnificently attractive and is rich in crocodiles and hippopotamus. For Fish lovers,

Lake Nyasa is biologically the most diverse lake, containing approximately 30% of world's cichlid species (colorful fish which are easily seen in the lake's clear water).