Sunset is the time the fishermen go out in their dugout canoes onto the Lake of Stars (lake Malawi, Cape Maclear) For their night fishing. After the sun has gone down completely and darkness has covered the water you can still see the lights on the front of their canoes bobbing up and down in the distance.

Lake Malawi National Park

Malawi


Much of the area around Cape Maclear, including several offshore islands, is part of Lake Malawi National Park, one of Africa's few freshwater aquatic parks and a Unesco World Heritage Site. When organising activities on the lake, check if prices include the park entrance fee.

Visit whc.unesco.org/en/list/289 for more information on the park's importance for the study of evolution.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Malawi attractions

1. Missionary Graves

0.96 MILES

Just before the Lake Malawi National Park gate is a sign pointing to a path, which leads towards the hills overlooking the bay. A few hundred metres up is…

2. Museum and Aquarium

1.2 MILES

At the Lake Malawi National Park headquarters, inside the park gate, the visitor centre doubles as a small museum and sickly aquarium. The museum charts…

3. Mwala Wa Mphini

3.29 MILES

This huge rock, crisscrossed with eroded grooves resembling tribal facial scars, is signposted from the main road. You can walk the 4km to this National…

4. Stuart M Grant Tropical Fish Farm

22.69 MILES

About 10km south of Senga Bay is Stuart Grant’s tropical fish farm, which breeds and exports cichlids. If you’re interested you can do a half-hour tour of…

5. Fishing Village

24.83 MILES

Life in Senga Bay revolves around the sea, and there's always something happening on the beach. Go early in the morning to see the boats coming in from…

6. Carving Workshop

28.39 MILES

You can watch talented artists carving exquisite sculptures at this workshop, which doubles as a centre where experienced carvers train new recruits.

7. Chamare Museum

28.4 MILES

If you only visit one thing here, make it the Chamare Museum, beautifully decorated with murals depicting scenes from Malawian history. The first room…

8. Kungoni Centre of Culture & Art

28.4 MILES

Part of the Mua Mission, this fascinating cultural centre is made up of several exhibitions, workshops and even a botanic garden. Set up in 1976 by a…