Lake Niassa
The remote Mozambican shore of Lake Niassa and the Lichinga plateau.
Hero image: Metangula, Lake Niassa — Lichinga, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Lake Niassa, known in Malawi as Lake Malawi, forms part of Mozambique’s north-western border. The Mozambican shore is remote and lightly developed, with settlements such as Metangula and Cóbuè on the water.
Lichinga, the provincial capital, sits on the plateau above the lake and is the usual gateway. The Mozambican part of the lake and its shoreline are protected as the Lake Niassa Partial Reserve.
Lake Niassa at a glance
Main towns and places
Lichinga
Lichinga is the capital of Niassa province, on a high plateau east of Lake Niassa. It is the main gateway to the Mozambican shore of the lake. Read the Lichinga guide.
Cóbuè
Cóbuè is a village on the Mozambican shore of Lake Niassa, opposite Malawi’s Likoma Island. It is a small, remote base for lakeshore stays and boat connections. Read the Cóbuè guide.
Metangula
Metangula is a town on the Mozambican shore of Lake Niassa, below the Lichinga plateau. It is the largest settlement on this stretch of the lakeshore. Read the Metangula guide.
Destination guides in Lake Niassa
Nearby regions
Ilha de Moçambique & Nampula
The UNESCO World Heritage Island of Mozambique, with Nampula and Nacala as gateways.
Explore Ilha de Moçambique & Nampula
Tete & Cahora Bassa
Tete on the Zambezi and the Cahora Bassa lake, a base for fishing and boating.
Explore Tete & Cahora BassaPlan a Lake Niassa trip
Use the destination guides above, then check where to stay and how to get around.