Zimba was happily parked under a humongous mango tree right by the beach at ‘Fat Monkeys Resort/Backpackers/Campground’. The popup tent looked and felt like a tree house.

A tropical haven right on the shores of Lake Malawi, including a bar and tasty restaurant, run by extremely friendly and helpful staff. 

After an eventful morning, I was in need of some tranquility. The sunsets from here are known to be simply stunning, what more motivation do I need?

Some more happy faces greeted me friendly, as I walked over to the west side of the bay where ‘Lake Malawi National Park’, a ‘UNESCO WWF Heritage Site’ is located. My aim was to watch the sunset over calm waters at ‘Otter Point’, named for obvious reasons.

No otters were to be found, but instead was greeted by monkeys, munching on fruits of the forest. The imminent cry of the fish eagle was heard in the not so far distance, like so many times before.

The sun was still a fair way upon the horizon, scattered clouds lining the skies, Baobab and other trees lining the shoreline.

The signs weren’t hard to miss, this will be a spectacular sunset by far. Following the track to ‘Otter Point’, one can see why otters used to thrive here.

A calm, clear bay stocked with weed beds,  surrounded by a huge boulder shoreline, an ideal habitat for those elegant mammals. Not anymore.

The sun displayed behind a band of broken up clouds, rays seemingly piercing the lake. Simply breathtaking.

The smooth rocky outcrop combined with a few plants growing on rocks,

a fading sun disappearing behind distant mountains over calm waters.

The photos didn’t even do justice.

A few selfies were a must, casting my body’s shadows to the lens.

Even holding the sun in my hands became possible, too hot to handle.

A banana boat fisherman passed by in a sea of glowing red waters,

seemingly burning waters,

before disappearing on the horizon towards the sun. Even if I tried, I couldn’t put it in the right words.

Meanwhile, the almost full moon snuck up behind me over the hills, adding to this dramatic, yet peaceful spectacle.

To be able to witness this array of shapes and colours on tranquil waters and surroundings is just indescribable.

It’s moments like these when you need great company and possibly a glass of wine. But water will do.

I scrambled back into town to find the moon hiding behind a large Baobab tree.

It was so bright to light up the whole beach. What a way to finish this day.