Lake Nyasa & Matema Beach
Mbeya Highlands, Tanzania
About
Descend to the palm-fringed shores of Lake Nyasa for swimming, fishing villages and beach relaxation at Matema.
Where it is
Getting to & around Mbeya Highlands
From other cities: Songwe Airport (MBI), about 20 km from Mbeya, receives scheduled domestic flights from Dar es Salaam; the TAZARA Railway and long-distance buses along the Tanzam Highway also connect Mbeya to Dar and to the southern borders.
Getting around: Around town and the highlands, use taxis, bajaji, boda-boda motorbikes and daladala minibuses; reaching Kitulo, Ngozi and Lake Nyasa usually requires a hired 4x4, especially in the wet season.
Full getting-there guideMore in Mbeya Highlands
National Park
Kitulo National Park
The flower-carpeted 'Garden of God' plateau, the first national park in tropical Africa protected mainly for its flora.
Lake
Lake Ngozi (Ngosi)
A stunning crater lake near Tukuyu, the second-largest in Africa, set within a forested caldera rich in birds and monkeys.
Mountain Peak
Mount Rungwe
A dormant volcano and forest reserve near Tukuyu, home to the endemic kipunji monkey and rewarding hikes.
Hotel
Matema Beach (Lake Nyasa)
A tranquil beach on the northern shore of Lake Nyasa, backed by mountains, with fishing villages and pottery markets.