Secrets of Lake Malawi Steamboat Cruises

One of the great lakes of Africa, Lake Malawi borders Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique. It is the 8th largest lake in the world and is about 360 miles long. It is the second deepest lake in Africa and has a great variety of freshwater fish species living in its northern corner. The best authentic African way to experience the magnificence of this lake, is to book a cruise on one of the steam liners that criss-cross their way from Monkey Bay in the south to Karonga in the north. The most well known of these steamers is the MV Ilala. There are various classes of accommodation that can be booked. The liner is very 3rd world, nothing like what is the norm in developed countries. Even the 'luxury ' cabins are pretty much Spartan: on suite bathrooms and bunk beds are considered elite by local standards. The price of tickets is cheap though and the vessel has many local travelers and traders using the lower deck communal cabins for their journey. This kind of interaction with the common folk makes the experience rich and interesting for tourists.