Senga Bay

Senga Bay is the stretch of lakeshore closest to Lilongwe, about a hundred kilometres east, which makes it the capital's weekend beach: sand between rocky points, a line of lodges, and boats running out to Lizard Island offshore where monitor lizards and fish eagles are the draw. A crocodile farm and a small aquarium operate near the shore, and the fish market at the fishing village is worth an early morning. The bay sits at the point where the lakeshore turns, which is why it has both sheltered sand and exposed rock within a short distance, and the lodges are spread between the two.

What you actually see

• The bay beaches - sand between rocky points along the shore.
• Lizard Island - the offshore islet with monitor lizards and fish eagles.
• The fishing village - the morning catch landed and sold along the beach.
• The rocky points - the snorkelling ground at either end of the bay.

When to go

May to October is the dry season. Weekends bring crowds from Lilongwe. Bilharzia is present and precautions matter.

Honest expectations

Bilharzia is present in the lake here and treatment afterwards is the sensible course. Weekends are busy and prices rise. Beach vendors are persistent.

Nearby

Salima is west, and Nkhotakota is north.