As of today, out of season, returns ~November. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
On certain days over Lake Malawi, what looks like distant pillars of smoke or twisting tornadoes turn out to be alive — towering columns of countless midges spiraling hundreds of metres into the air over the lake.
These are the lake flies, a non-biting midge (Chaoborus edulis) whose larvae feed in the deep water; when the adults emerge en masse they gather into swarms to mate, forming the famous drifting 'towers' that locals have watched for generations.
The columns can rise several hundred metres and take on a spiraling shape as the insects pulse and shift in the light.
Far from a nuisance, the flies are a prized food: people sweep them from the air, compress them into protein-rich kungu cakes, and eat the swarm.
The emergences are also a feast for birds and fish, sitting at the base of the lake's extraordinary food web.
Their arrival is a traditional sign that the rainy season has come.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park |
| Monkey Bay |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.