Matema Beach
A long sandy beach backed by the Livingstone Mountains, perfect for swimming, relaxing and watching the fishing canoes return at dusk.
Tanzania Lakes & Waterfalls
Lake Nyasa
Known beyond Tanzania as Lake Malawi, this vast, clear lake lies beneath the towering Livingstone Mountains, with golden beaches, wooden canoes and a world of colourful fish.
- Location
- Southern Tanzania
- Also Known As
- Lake Malawi
- Known For
- Beaches & cichlid fish
- Best Time
- June – October
Discover Lake Nyasa
Tanzania's hidden lakeside paradise.
Lake Nyasa, known in Malawi and internationally as Lake Malawi, is one of Africa's great lakes and the southernmost lake of the Rift Valley chain. It stretches for around 580 km and covers roughly 29,000 km², making it the third-largest lake in Africa, and it is shared by Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. Tanzania is nestled just south of the equator, bordering the Indian Ocean and three of Africa's great lakes: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria and Lake Nyasa.
Tanzania's shore of Lake Nyasa is one of the country's best-kept secrets. Here the Livingstone Mountains plunge steeply into the water, leaving narrow beaches, fishing villages and coves reachable only by boat. At the northern end lies Matema Beach, a beachside town in Mbeya Region on the beautiful shores of the lake, with soft sand, warm water and mountain views.
The lake is famous for its extraordinary diversity of fish. It holds more species than any other lake on Earth, most of them colourful cichlids found nowhere else, which makes its clear, rocky shallows a delight for swimmers and snorkellers.
Why Lake Nyasa
Beaches, mountains and slow lakeside life.
Lake Nyasa offers a relaxing, authentic break in Tanzania's Southern Highlands, far from the busy safari routes.
Colourful Cichlids
The lake is home to hundreds of endemic cichlid species, and snorkelling among them is unforgettable.
Livingstone Mountains
Dramatic green mountains rise straight from the eastern shore, offering hikes, waterfalls and spectacular views.
Kisi Pottery
Visit the Kisi women of Ikombe, renowned for hand-made clay pots traditionally sold at the lakeside markets.
Off the Beaten Track
Few international visitors reach Tanzania's Nyasa shore, so lakeside life feels genuine and unhurried.
Location
Where is Lake Nyasa?
Lake Nyasa lies in the far south-west of Tanzania, bordering Malawi and Mozambique. The most accessible Tanzanian shore is around Matema Beach in Mbeya Region, about 3 hours' drive from Mbeya city via Tukuyu and Kyela. Mbeya's Songwe Airport has scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam, and the Southern Highlands can also be reached by road along the main Tanzania–Zambia highway.
Further south, the shore continues through the Njombe and Ruvuma regions to Mbamba Bay, a remote lakeside town. The lake is a long way from Arusha and Kilimanjaro, so it is best combined with a southern Tanzania itinerary that includes the Kitulo Plateau, Ruaha or Mikumi.
When to visit
How the seasons shape Lake Nyasa.
The lake region has one main rainy season and a long dry season. It is warm year-round, with hot, humid weather before the rains.
Dry Season
The best time to visit, with sunny days, calm water and clear visibility for snorkelling. Nights are pleasantly cool.
Hot Season
Hot and humid on the lakeshore before the rains, but still a good time for swimming and beach days.
Rainy Season
Heavy rain falls in the Livingstone Mountains and around the lake. The scenery is lush, but some roads and boat trips can be disrupted.
Green Transition
Rains ease and the hills are at their greenest, with fewer visitors on the beaches.
What is the best month to visit Lake Nyasa?
June to October brings the most reliable weather, but the lake's beauty can be enjoyed for much of the year.
Rainy and lush, with green mountains and warm water.
Wet season continues, with heavy showers and dramatic skies over the lake.
Rains remain frequent; waterfalls in the Livingstone Mountains are in full flow.
Often the wettest month, with some roads around the lake slow going.
Rains ease and the landscape is at its greenest.
Dry season begins with sunny days and cooler nights.
Pleasant temperatures and clear water, ideal for snorkelling.
Calm conditions for canoe trips and walks along the shore.
Warm, dry and bright, one of the best months for a beach stay.
Hot days and clear skies, perfect for swimming.
Hot and humid as the rains approach.
The rains return, bringing fresh greenery to the hills.
Explore the area
Explore Tanzania's Lake Nyasa shore.
Tanzania's side of the lake runs from the northern plains near Kyela to the remote south around Mbamba Bay.
Northern shoreMatema BeachThe most popular spot on the Tanzanian shore, with a sandy beach, simple lodges and a backdrop of mountains.
Near MatemaIkombe VillageA peninsula village reached by canoe, home to Kisi potters who still make clay pots by hand.
Eastern shoreLivingstone MountainsSteep, forested mountains plunging into the lake, with hiking trails, waterfalls and views over the water.
Northern plainsKyelaA fertile lowland of rice fields, cocoa and banana farms near the Malawi border.
Southern shoreMbamba BayA remote and peaceful lakeside town in Ruvuma Region, with beaches and rocky islets.
Wildlife
A lake teeming with fish and birdlife.
Lake Nyasa's greatest wildlife treasure is underwater. Its rocky shallows hold hundreds of species of cichlid fish, known locally as mbuna, in a dazzling range of blues, yellows and oranges, many of them found in a single stretch of shore. Scientists study the lake as a natural laboratory of evolution.
On land and along the shore, fish eagles, kingfishers and herons are common, and hippos and crocodiles live in some river mouths and quieter areas. The forests of the Livingstone Mountains shelter monkeys, birds and wildflowers, while the nearby Kitulo Plateau is famous for its orchids.
9 animals to look for
Mbuna cichlids
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Rocky shallows along the shore
Brilliantly coloured fish, many endemic to small stretches of the lake.
1 / 9
African fish eagle
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Trees along the shoreline
A common sight and sound along the lake.
2 / 9
Pied kingfisher
Chance of seeingVery common
Where to look: Over shallow water
Hovers and dives for small fish near the beach.
3 / 9
Malachite kingfisher
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Reeds and river mouths
A tiny, jewel-like kingfisher of the lake margins.
4 / 9
Grey heron
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Shallows and river mouths
Patiently stalks fish along the water's edge.
5 / 9
Hippo
Chance of seeingOccasional
Where to look: River mouths and quiet bays
Present in some parts of the lake, especially near river mouths.
6 / 9
Nile crocodile
Chance of seeingRare
Where to look: River mouths and remote shores
Found in some areas, so swim only where locals advise it is safe.
7 / 9
Vervet monkey
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Trees around villages and beaches
Often seen around Matema and the lakeshore.
8 / 9
Usipa
Chance of seeingCommon
Where to look: Open waters of the lake
A small sardine-like fish central to the local fishing economy and diet.
9 / 9
Matema Beach
A beach holiday at the foot of the mountains.
Matema Beach, at the northern tip of Tanzania's Nyasa shore, is a place to slow down. Swim in the warm, clear water, take a dugout canoe to the potters of Ikombe, snorkel among colourful cichlids or hike into the Livingstone Mountains to a waterfall.
In the evenings, fishermen head out in their canoes, their lanterns twinkling on the dark lake, while the mountains glow in the last light. It is the perfect way to end a journey through the Southern Highlands.
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Usually replies within minutesHeritage
The story behind Lake Nyasa.
The word nyasa simply means 'lake' in several local languages. The northern shore is home to the Nyakyusa and Kisi peoples, while the Nyasa people live along the shore further south. The Scottish missionary David Livingstone reached the lake in 1859, and missions, including the long-standing station at Matema, were later established along its shores, leaving their mark on local history.
Today the lake supports the livelihoods of millions of people in three countries, mostly through fishing and farming. Its extraordinary fish diversity is recognised internationally, and part of the Malawian shore is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overfishing, deforestation on the surrounding hills and climate change are important challenges for its future.
Is Lake Nyasa the same as Lake Malawi?
Yes. It is called Lake Nyasa in Tanzania, Lago Niassa in Mozambique and Lake Malawi in Malawi and internationally.
How do I get to Lake Nyasa?
Fly or drive to Mbeya, then drive about 3 hours via Tukuyu and Kyela to Matema Beach on the northern shore.
Can you swim in Lake Nyasa?
Yes, swimming is popular at Matema and other beaches. Avoid river mouths and reedy areas, and follow local advice.
What is the best time to visit?
June to October, when the weather is dry, sunny and pleasant, and the water is clear.
What can I do at Matema Beach?
Swimming, snorkelling, canoe trips to Ikombe, hiking in the Livingstone Mountains, visiting local markets and relaxing on the beach.
Can I combine Lake Nyasa with a safari?
Yes. It fits well with the Kitulo Plateau, Ruaha and Mikumi on a southern circuit itinerary.
How many days should I spend there?
Two or three nights at Matema Beach is ideal to relax and explore the area.
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