Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Lake Malawi
One of the most enjoyable things about the Lake of Stars festival is its location. A ticket to the festival means access to the Great Lake in the 'Warm Heart of Africa'. the lake is the eighth largest lake in the whole world and is estimated to be anywhere between 40,000 to two million years old.
Situated in the town of Mangochi, the festival even takes its name from the colonialist David Livingstone's nickname for the lake, after seeing the lake late at night speckled with fisherman's lamps on the surface of the water.
As can be seen in the videos posted below, the waters are rich in exotic fish. Whilst there is always the threat of overfishing and water pollution, the lake has provided the locals with food for as long as it has existed. Other wildlife that are commonly seen in and around the lake are crocodiles, hippopotamus, monkeys and African fish eagles.
The crystal clear lake allows for snorkelling, diving, gazing at sunsets and all manner of extreme sports.
Put simply, this freshwater lake is a natural wonder of the world and the opportunities for excitement are endless.
Watch this clip for the Discovery Channel's close look at the wildlife of Lake Malawi in the 'Fresh Water' episode of their Planet Earth series.
Watch this clip for Southern Africa Direct's take on the travel opportunities in Lake Malawi.
For more info on Lake Malawi click here.