This truly beautiful lake is located on the far
north-west border of Zambia and is shared more
or less equally with Zaire/DRC. The Luapula
River flows in from the south having formed the
official border between northern Zambia and
Zaire. It also drains out from the lake in the
north. The Kalungwishi river flows in from the
east. Both river mouths form important deltas
that serve as fish breeding grounds.
Not so long ago there were just a few villages
dotted around the lake, but as the tar road
arrived in Nchelenge in 1987, so the population
increased as people began to make a living from
the wealth of the Lake. The area, once
surrounded by wildlife became peri-urban and the
animals that weren’t poached drifted off to
quieter areas. Now there are thousands of people
living on the shores of this massive expanse of
water which provides both food and a means of
living.
Lake Mweru, althouogh off the beaten track, is
worth a visit. The lake has spawned a dynamic
population, rich in culture, fervent in trade
and colourful in nature. The area is almost a
microcosm of what Tropical Africa could be if
left to its own devices. Tourist facilities,
however are limited to a few ‘guesthouses’ of
varying standards.
Water temperatures range from 21o
C to 29o
C. While air temperatures range from 27.5o
C to 35o C. The lake is chemically
very fertile and contributes substantially to
the fishing industry in Zambia.
LAKE
MWERU
