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How does Lake Nyasa drain into the Zambezi River?
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East African lakes
Mountains and lakes of East Africa.
Lake Nyasa drains into the Zambezi River exclusively through the Shire River, which serves as the lake's only outlet at its southern end.12
The drainage process follows this course:
- Exit from Lake Nyasa: The Shire River issues from the southern shore of Lake Nyasa and flows into Lake Malombe.1
- Middle Course: After exiting Lake Malombe, the river flows through a narrow valley. Between Matope and Chikwawa, it descends 1,260 feet (384 meters) through a series of gorges and cataracts, including the Kholombidzo, Nkula, Tedzani, and Kapichira falls.1
- Lower Valley and Confluence: Below Chikwawa, the river enters a wide, marshy plain. It is joined by its chief tributary, the Ruo River, and passes through the Elephant and Ndindi marshes. The Shire River eventually reaches its confluence with the Zambezi River in Mozambique, approximately 30 miles (48 km) below Cena (Sena).1