Lake Malawi, Freshwater lake in southeastern Africa
Lake Malawi runs for 563 kilometers along the borders of Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, reaching depths around 700 meters (2300 feet) in its deepest sections. The water is remarkably clear, allowing visibility of sandy bottoms and rock formations in shallow areas.
Portuguese trader Cândido José da Costa Cardoso first documented the lake in 1846, before David Livingstone explored it further in 1859. The lake served as a major trade route between East African coastal regions and the interior for a long time.
David Livingstone reached the lake in 1859 and called it Lake of Stars after seeing fishermen's lanterns on the water at night; he later called it Lake of Storms after violent gales. In Malawi the lake is officially called Malawi, while Tanzania and Mozambique use Nyasa, a term for lake in local languages.
The lake offers year-round opportunities for snorkeling and diving, with several access points and equipment rentals available near the shore. Conditions are usually calmest in the morning when winds remain light and underwater visibility stays at its best.
The lake holds more fish species than any other body of water worldwide, with over 800 cichlid species that evolved within its boundaries. Many of these species live exclusively in specific rock crevices or sand zones and exist nowhere else on Earth.
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