We decided to take a day’s rest on the shores of Lake Nyasa before crossing the border into Malawi. Matema is a stunning and secluded lakeside town in southwestern Tanzania, nestled within the East African Rift Valley on the northern shores of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi). It is renowned for its dramatic setting, where the lush Livingstone Mountains plunge steeply into the lake, creating a peaceful tropical retreat far removed from mass tourism.
Reaching Matema took us about 3.5 hours and covered approximately 154 km. The journey descended through winding mountain roads, passing tea estates, banana groves, and cocoa plantations, with spectacular scenery around every bend.
Lake Nyasa is a vast, warm freshwater lake with crystal-clear waters that are safe for swimming and free of crocodiles. The area offers plenty of opportunities for exploration, including hikes in the Livingstone Mountains, visits to local caves, and excursions to beautiful waterfalls such as Mwalalo Falls. Visitors can also take a traditional dugout canoe to nearby fishing villages like Ikombe, where women are known for their distinctive Kisi pottery. Tours of local cocoa and rice farms provide another fascinating glimpse into rural life. Adding to Matema’s cultural heritage is the old Bavarian-style Lutheran Mission House, built during the German colonial era.
We parked at Matema Beach View (Lutheran Centre) and enjoyed dinner at the nearby Matema Shore Lake Resort. The following day, we dined at Palazzo Garden Resort. Both establishments are beautifully situated right on the shores of the lake, offering stunning views across the water. Next to Palazzo Garden Resort are also a few busy beach bars, where we got the cheapest beer in Tanzania – 0,5 l cost just 2500 TZS.
Parking location – Matema: 9.4966055S 34.0223522E (🚻,💦,🅿️10,000 TZS / pax)