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Blantyre 6 - Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi trip becomes the culmination of our places of visits in and around Blantyre. One cannot leave this country before making the trip to this UNESCO's world heritage site. It is around 365 miles long.
Sun & sand
At 5 AM from Blantyre we left via Chichiri - Limbe and drove through Zomba - Liwonde to reach  Mangochi by 8:30 AM. Few kilometers to Mangochi we could see the Shire river to the right, it leaves the lake and drains in lake Malombe. The lake is clear, deep watered and appears as a beach in the Monkey bay located in Mangochi district. Temperature is high here compared to Blantyre.
Lake view
Like the ECR in Chennai where the resorts facade the beach the Malawi lake can be seen through the resorts here. We entered one such resort called the Sun & Sand providing accommodation and dining facility.
Lake
Behind the resort we can see the lake Malawi as beach with a giant mass of rock behind looking like a small island in the beach. The atmosphere gives a warm feeling wanting to relax and restore oneself. Went around the place and the stretch of the beach to witness locals fishing, bathing and washing in the lake. We had an early lunch and happy that it was Indian cuisine, a vegetable rice, couple of garlic naans and vegetable kadai served for 11000 kwacha. By 1 PM we left from this place.
Makokola
Our next entry was into the Makokola retreat. The beach wears a different face here, water is pristine blue. We get a magnificent look of the lake, its a never to be forgotten experience. Its after all the ninth largest lake in the world and the third largest lake in the African continent. Heard that its called the lake of stars due to its appearance at night with numerous fishing boats in it lite with lamps. The good thing is none of these resorts demand a entrance fee, your car is just let in after security check.
Sunset on the way back
Chambo is the famous fish in Lake Malawi. It is said to be found only here and hailed as the most delicious fish. Bought that from the local fishermen, four for 9000 kwacha. It tastes ultimate when grilled at the guest house at the end of the day. Left Mangochi by 3 PM and drove back to Blantyre along the raining Zomba plateau.
Raining at Zomba
By the time we reached Blantyre it was time to pack our things and leave Malawi. Farewell at the guest house was heartfelt. We really had a very nice time in Malawi, took us back in time, made our lifestyle more disciplined (waking up at 5am and going back to sleep at 9pm), interacting with the most hospitable people and though there is much of nature back home Malawi was something different. Malawi is called the 'Warm heart of Africa' and for us it lived up to this name throughout our stay. Zikomo!
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Location: Blantyre, Malawi

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