提到坦桑尼亚的“水”,99% 的旅行者会立刻想到桑给巴尔岛(Zanzibar)的碧海蓝天。然而,在这个东非国家的南部边境,镶嵌着一颗鲜为人知的蓝色宝石——马拉维湖(Lake Malawi)。在坦桑尼亚,它拥有一个更具历史感的名字:尼亚萨湖(Lake Nyasa)。
不同于桑给巴尔的喧嚣与商业化,坦桑尼亚侧的马拉维湖岸是一片被时光遗忘的静谧之地。这里背靠巍峨的利文斯敦山脉(Livingstone Mountains),面朝水晶般清澈的湖水,是结束坦桑尼亚南部游猎(Safari)后最完美的“避世”终点。
马拉维湖跨越三个国家(马拉维、坦桑尼亚、莫桑比克)。虽然马拉维共和国一侧以背包客派对和热闹的湖滨酒吧闻名,但坦桑尼亚一侧(东北岸)则保留了原始的渔村风貌。在这里,你看不到成群的游客,只有当地渔民在日落时分划着独木舟出湖,点亮盏盏渔灯,宛如星河坠入湖面。这也被称为“星之湖”奇景。
这里的地貌极具戏剧性。利文斯敦山脉并非缓缓延伸至湖边,而是以近乎垂直的角度直插湖底。这种高山与深湖的直接碰撞,造就了令人屏息的风景线,也让这里的徒步体验独一无二。
在坦桑尼亚旅行时,请务必使用“尼亚萨湖(Lake Nyasa)”这一称呼。由于历史边界划分的争议,坦桑尼亚官方地图均标注为尼亚萨湖。了解这一细节,不仅能避免与当地人的交流误解,也是对东道主文化的尊重。
如果说尼亚萨湖是皇冠,那么马泰马海滩(Matema Beach)就是皇冠上的明珠。它位于湖的最北端,距离基耶拉(Kyela)镇约 40 公里。
马泰马的沙滩并非纯白,而是混合了火山质地的红褐色,但这丝毫不影响水的清澈度。这里的湖水能见度极高,风平浪静时,你可以透过水面直接看到湖底的沙纹。由于是淡水湖,游完泳后皮肤清爽,没有海水的黏腻感。
对于水族爱好者来说,这里是圣地。马拉维湖拥有世界上种类最丰富的淡水鱼群,其中最著名的就是慈鲷(Cichlids)。这些色彩斑斓的小鱼在此进化出了数百个特有品种,其演化速度甚至让达尔文雀相形见绌。在马泰马海滩租一套浮潜装备,只需游出离岸几米,就能被这些活宝石包围。
基西陶器(Kissii Pottery): 这里的基西族人(Kisi people)以精湛的制陶工艺闻名。你可以观察他们如何不使用转轮,仅凭双手塑形出完美的球状陶罐。
伊科姆比瀑布(Ikombe Waterfall): 从海滩出发,沿着山脚徒步或乘船,可以抵达这一隐秘的瀑布,感受大裂谷边缘的清凉。
大多数游客选择在结束鲁阿哈国家公园(Ruaha National Park)或基图洛国家公园(Kitulo National Park,被称为“上帝的花园”)的行程后前往这里。比起飞往桑给巴尔,驱车南下前往湖区能让你的行程更加连贯且经济。
中转枢纽: 姆贝亚(Mbeya)是前往湖区的主要门户城市。
具体路线: 从姆贝亚出发,乘坐巴士或包车前往边境小镇基耶拉(Kyela)(约 2-3 小时车程),路况良好,沿途穿越翠绿的茶园和香蕉林。抵达 Kyela 后,转乘出租车或当地小巴(Dala-dala)行驶最后 40 公里到达马泰马海滩。
最佳季节: 旱季(6月至10月)是最佳游览时间,天气凉爽干燥,蚊虫较少。
健康提示: 虽然湖水诱人,但非洲淡水水域普遍存在血吸虫风险(Bilharzia)。建议在深水区或流动性强的水域游泳,避免在静止的芦苇丛附近下水。回国后如有不适请告知医生曾接触非洲淡水。
KIRUBEL GIRMA Please come and enjoy his work of art Lake Nyasa/Malawi .Col 1:16. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
Martha Burling Lake Malawi????? It's a Must Visit for tourists, family vacations and nature observation lovers. I am not sharing this because it is my home of origin but because it's the Truth. Lake Malawi holds the Clearest and the Deepest fresh water Lake in the whole world. With plenty Beautiful varieties of fish in eye catching colours that again you won't find anywhere else in this universe. Lake Malawi is just a woooow. Go and you shall Thank me for sharing my hidden gem. Enjoy Malawi, The Warm Heart of Africa ♥️
Nkanika Ruigema My team and I were so excited on our way to the lake (Tukuyu, Tanzania). We had a great moment, but unfortunately it was just for few hours
Jonathan Coetser Really remarkable place! It is hard to believe that this is a fresh water lake, especially after a few drinks, for as far as you can see it's just water! Relaxing atmosphere, safe and interesting food! Easy scuba diving experience as there aren’t any currents!
Mzime Murisa This should be on everyone’s bucket list. The blue lake, with over 500 endemic Mbuna (cichlids) species is a must-see. And of course one must eat fresh chambo, the native bream fish when there. The lake’s beauty is surreal and unparalleled (trust me, I have been to Lake Kariba and Tanganyika) even though it was low water season when I went. A boat ride is a also a must (or for those who do-scuba diving) to experience the clear waters and amazing fish. It’s always extremely hot so winter time would be the best season for those who can’t withstand extreme heat