The
Shire is the largest river in
Malawi. The river has been known as the Shiré or Chire River. It is the only outlet of
Lake Malawi and flows into the
Zambezi River in Mozambique. Its length is . The upper Shire River issues from Lake Malawi and runs approximately 12 miles before it enters shallow
Lake Malombe. It then drains Lake Malombe and flows south through
Liwonde National Park where large concentrations of hippopotamus are common along its shores. Between the towns of Matope and
Chikwawa, the middle river drops approximately 1,300 feet through a series of falls and gorges. Two hydroelectric dams have been built along the Shire northwest of
Blantyre.