swimming in lake Malawi

Member since 18 July 2012

JennniffMember13 November 2012 00:53:28

I'm visiting Malawi for the first time in a few weeks and cannot wait. Heard really great things about it. The only thing I'm worried about is swimming in lake Malawi.... Is it safe to do so?

Harmonie ViP

Member since 13 June 2011

HarmonieViP14 November 2012 04:56:57

19273

Welcome to 海角乱伦 Jennniff!

For better interactivity, I've created a new post on Malawi forum.

Harmonie.

Muzungu4u2 New member

Member since 06 August 2012

Muzungu4u2New member19 November 2012 21:13:56

Swimming in the lake is great and very safe safe with a few precautions. Always swim away from reeds or lake bound fauna and just be aware.聽 Some nasties are in the reeds you don't want to really know about and crocs are in the lake in some areas - not many. I swam in Nkata Bay and Monkey Bay and it was great.聽 Kandi Bay is also very nice as well.聽 Took a dip at Nkota Nkota and the waves were a bit of a challenge on the day as it was windy.聽 Just ask the locals and they will let you know.

tisungenikachere New member

Member since 14 March 2013

tisungenikachereNew member15 March 2013 12:59:58

yes its safe to swim in lake malawi n u will enjoy it l tell u. gud luck.

Twigas Member

Member since 15 February 2012

TwigasMember28 October 2013 11:39:24

If you go swimming in Lake Malawi you have a 95% chance of getting biharzia. Go to the following link to check in out or just google
"biharzia lake malawi" But don't listen to any fools giving you a totally uneducated opinion.

goafrica.about.com/od/healthandsafety/p/biharzia.htm

It is not too bad for an adult to get it if treated quickly. It does serious damage to a child's liver.

Muzungu4u2 New member

Member since 06 August 2012

Muzungu4u2New member08 November 2013 00:27:57

You are right Twigas we should not listen to any fools . . . :-)

The chances of getting Bilharzia can be reduced by not swimming in areas close to reeds. The snails that carry the Bilharzia parasite live in the reeds. If you stay in open or moving water, you are safer. Kande Beach does not have any of these reeds.
(tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293810-c55250/Malawi:Budget.Travel.html )

It is all about moving water. Is it totally safe - no it is not.聽
Now as it stands the problem and safety of the lake has not gone well these days.聽 The risks are rising and there again are simple things to do to reduce the risks.
(independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/backpackers-beware-bilharzia-lurks-in-the-lake-1596424.html )

This blog聽 , though dated sums up how I really feel about the whole thing . . .
Some people say that you should never swim in lake Malawi because of the risk of getting bilharzia (evil parasite eating it's way through your skin)..But when you get there, you really can't worry about anything like bilharzia, you just have to swim or you die unsatisfied and sad. And there are easy medication to take against bilharzia, so I am not worried.

( miraij.blogg.se/2010/june/senga-bay-lake-malawi.html )