One of Africa's Great Lakes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's famous for crystal-clear waters, incredible snorkeling among hundreds of colorful cichlid fish species, and beautiful sandy beaches. Cape Maclear is the most popular spot along the lake.

Things to Do

Accommodation

Major airlines connect through Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, or Dar es Salaam to reach Lilongwe or Blantyre. Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and South African Airways are common carriers serving the route.

Fly into Lilongwe (Kamuzu International Airport), Malawi's capital and main international gateway. From Lilongwe, it's about a 4–5 hour drive south to Cape Maclear. You can hire a private driver, take a minibus to Monkey Bay and then a local taxi the remaining 20 km to Cape Maclear, or arrange a transfer through your accommodation. Some lodges also offer charter flights to nearby airstrips, which takes under an hour.

May to October (dry season) is the ideal window. Skies are clear, humidity is low, and the lake water is at its clearest for snorkeling and diving — visibility can reach 15–20 meters. September and October are the warmest dry months, perfect for swimming and water activities.

A few specifics by month:

• May–July — Cooler and pleasant, great for hiking and kayaking. Evenings can get chilly. Water is still warm from the rainy season.
• August–October — Warmer temperatures, driest period, and the best underwater visibility. This is peak season, so book accommodation early.

November to April (rainy season) brings afternoon thunderstorms, higher humidity, and murkier water. The landscape turns lush and green, and it's quieter with fewer tourists and lower prices — so it can still be enjoyable if you don't mind some rain. January and February tend to be the wettest months.

Water temperature stays warm year-round (23–28°C / 73–82°F), so swimming is comfortable in any season.