Travel Guide Lac Mweru

Zambia shares this very beautiful lake with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Measuring approximately 96 km long on 45 km wide, the Mweru is fed mainly by the Luapula River, which is more south the extension of the natural border between the two countries. A few years ago, the region was crossed by only a few tracks, and only a few small villages were established around the lake. It changed in 1987, with the construction of the asphalt road to Nchelengue, which became the major city on the Zambian shore. Today, thousands of people inhabit the shores of Lake Mweru, which provide them with food as well as a way to earn their lives. With water at temperatures ranging from 21 ° C to 29 ° C, the lake is very fertile and contributes significantly to the fishing industry in Zambia. Although located off the beaten tracks, it deserves a visit, if only to meet a dynamic population, rich in culture, shopping and high in colour. The Chienge area, on the northeastern corner of Lake Mweru, houses the saltworks where Kabwile salt is produced, and where the cultural ceremony «Ubwiilile», of the Bwile people, is taking place, as well as the Cérémonie ceremony of the Peuple people. However, tourist infrastructures are limited to the few fairly basic guesthouses of Nchelengue and Chienge. Fishermen will surely accept taking you to a canoe on the lake.