Shire – River of Fertility

The Shire River is one of the few African rivers that flows steadily and peacefully throughout the year. It flows serenely through southern Malawi, fed by the abundant waters of Lake Malawi. The lake contains more fish species than any other lake in the world. When the Shire River leaves Lake Malawi, the Great Rift Valley is no longer a deep gorge, and the river flows placidly in a wide valley. Winter is usually a time of drought in Africa, but the Shire is fed by the constant supply of water from the lake, offering a constant abundance to the birds and animals that inhabit its banks. Hippos, crocodiles and waterbuck adorn the banks, and elephants migrate to the river during the dry season. All year round, this is home to one of the biggest fish eagle populations in Africa. The Shire is a river of plenty and fertility. It is a breeding haven for many creatures, from hippos to water monitors to birds such as bee-eaters and whitebreasted cormorants.