Lake Malawi National Park is found in the Southern part of Malawi at Cape Maclear in Mangochi District, is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world that holds a great array of crystal-clear waters.
Famous for its geothermal activities and wildlife, this National Park was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 1984, covers an area of 94 square kilometers and a shoreline area including 13 islands.
This magnificent scenery of Lake Malawi, is indeed worth of its reputation where thousands of both local and international visitors come to explore.
According to Minister of tourism Honourable Vera Kamtukule, this beautiful park is the world’s first fresh water national park and nothing really compares with the sheer beauty of this overlook.
When she kick started her role as Minister responsible for tourism, she presided over the hand-over ceremony of the infrastructure at Lake Malawi in February 2023, Kamtukule said Malawi needs to have a world class urban centres and tourism hub across the country with requisite modern socioeconomic amenities, with Lake Malawi National Park to be a gem and treasure to uphold.
She adds: “If we cannot tell the story then who? It is high time that we open these places to common Malawians who can share the experiences with their families and then shine with Africa and the rest of the world.”
This protected area is home to more species of fish than any other place on earth, including at least 700 species of fish, making it to be the largest fish species in the world.
The park is home to hundreds of ornamental fish nearly all of which are endemic to Lake Malawi. The fish are locally known as “mbuna”. The mbuna fish display a significant example of biological evolution.
The minister said tourism falls under pillar number three of the Malawi 2063 urbanisation and the infrastructure is intended to promote education and tourism of this park adding that this complementarity is very critical in the management of this park which has the potential for tourism.
Through the lens of this National Park, you will also explore the breathtaking beauty of 800 years old baobab tree and it is under this tree where DR. David Livingstone used to conduct meetings with other missionaries.
Apart from this, there is also a natural rock marked with traditional scars from the Chewa heritage called Mwala wa Mphini which dates back to the Iron Age.
Lake Malawi National Park is protected under national legislation and the resources of the park and controlled by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.
