A one-hour drive along a flawless tarmac road brought us to Nkhata Bay, a vibrant port town on the western shores of Lake Malawi. Often referred to as the “Gateway to the Islands,” the town combines the dramatic scenery of the Great Rift Valley with a lively, almost Caribbean atmosphere. It is also historically significant as the northernmost point on the lake reached by the famed explorer David Livingstone.
Over the years, Nkhata Bay evolved from a remote lakeside settlement into an important centre for fishing and agricultural exports. It later became a key stop on Africa’s legendary overland backpacking route, cementing its reputation as one of the continent’s most beloved traveller destinations. The town is set within a lush tropical landscape where the steep, forested slopes of the Viphya Mountains plunge directly into the rocky shoreline of Lake Malawi.
Today, Nkhata Bay is the premier gathering point for travellers in northern Malawi, rivalling destinations such as Cape Maclear. The town is particularly renowned for its exceptionally affordable scuba-diving courses, attracting visitors from around the world. Its deep, crystal-clear, and generally calm waters also provide ideal conditions for kayaking, canoeing, snorkelling, and a variety of other water-based activities.
Parking location – Nkhata Bay: 11.6076902S 34.3014219E (🚻,🍽️,🅿️10,000 MWK)