Chintheche Inn - Lake Malawi, Lakeshore Accommodation

Chintheche Inn boasts one of the most beautiful settings in the country, situated on the pristine white sandy beaches of the northern Lakeshore with the Viphya Mountains as a backdrop and remnant patches of tropical rain forest nearby.

The beaches are the finest on the Lake, miles of white sand interspersed with jagged rock formations and charming fishing villages.

Ten comfortably furnished en-suite rooms (with fans) open out onto the beach and are all brightly furnished using local crafts. There is also a lively campsite and a large pool for those days when the lake is rough.

There is a central dining area and bar, although dining usually takes place (weather permitting) under the stars. The Inn is an ideal spot for families and for those wanting a comfortable base from which to explore the surrounding area.

The nearby Bandawe Mission also offers a fascination peek into the country's colonial past. The pristine white sandy beach offers excellent swimming, windsurfing, sailing and beach barbeques. Other activities include excursions to local village, mountain bike trails, waterskiing, hiking and village visits.

Lake Malawi is Africa's third largest lake and stretches over 500 kilometres from north to south, and supports over 2000 species of fish, mainly endemic. Palm fringed beaches and soaring mountains surround the warm crystal clear waters and picturesque fishing villages dot the shoreline, unchanged for thousands of years.

The northern lakeshore is the lushest region of the country with remnant patches of tropical rainforest and the dramatic backdrop of the Viphya mountains. This is the setting for Chintheche Inn. Just south of Nkhata Bay, Chintheche Inn has a wonderful broad sandy beach and extensive grounds with many fine indigenous trees.

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LAKE MALAWI:
Lake Malawi is one of the Great Rift Valley lakes and lies in a depression which plunges well below sea level - to a depth of at 2,300ft in the north. It is the third largest lake in Africa and has impressive proportions with approximate dimensions of 365 miles (584km) north to south and 52 miles (83km) wide. Half the south-eastern section of the lake belongs to Mozambique with the border running
through the centre of the water, while Tanzania lies along the north-eastern shore. Malawi is a long thin landlocked country, so the lake is extremely important as it takes up about one fifth of the country and many people make their living from it.

There are four busy ports and hundreds of fishing villages. However, there are still many stretches that are completely deserted with plenty of sandy beaches. Lake Malawi bears many qualities of a sea except salty water and for much of the year it is placid and welcoming, while at other times strong winds and storms can produce surfable waves. A section of the lake at Cape Maclear in the south, has been declared the world's first freshwater National Park and includes the peninsula of land and several islands.

It has more than all the freshwater species of Europe and USA put together. There are also larger edible fish such as mpasa (lake salmon), vundu (catfish) and tilapia (breem), but fishermen have been complaining that their catches are getting smaller. The national park is a sanctuary for the biologically unique, often brightly coloured little fish called cichlids, much prized by freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. These fish have adapted very quickly in evolutionary terms, resulting in a prolific number of species. More than 500 have been recorded but it is thought there could be 1,000 different species in the lake.

ANIMALS & BIRDS - AQUATIC LIFE
Lake Malawi's sub-aqua life is astounding and it can be like snorkelling in an aquarium. Many of the chichlids shine like polished silver as the sun refracts in the water, but there are many others like Cobalt Zebras and Mumbo Yellow (only found around Mumbo island within the national park), whose names reveal their dazzling colours.

Bird watching is an absolute pleasure and can be bewildering, as there is sometimes too much to look at! Within the national park it is not uncommon to find a pair of territorial fish eagles every 100 yards (100 metres). There are also countless kingfishers, herons and cormorants, all patrolling for food at different heights.

Reptile life is excellent with large monitor lizards, shiny skinks warming themselves on rocks and opaque geckos that come to life at night. Animals that might be seen on land are baboons, antelopes and hyrax.

SEASONS
Rainy Seasons: It usually rains from November to March and the storms are unpredictable. The air is clean at this time and there is no haze over the lake. The rain diminishes in April and May followed by gentle winds and calm water. Dry Season: July is cool and a little unsettled with more wind usually from the south east. The wind drops in August & September and the water becomes calmer.
October is one of the best months as the lake is calm and very clear and the air is hot.

LAKE MALAWI SPECIALITIES
• Swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving amongst colourful fish
• Warm lake water
• Fish Eagles
• Fresh fish for supper
• Watersports
• Friendly people

FACTS
This is a malarial area