11 Night North Malawi - Mid Range

Luwawa Forest Lodge is nestled in the beautifully tranquil Viphya mountains (1700m), one of most scenic locations in the north of Malawi. The Lodge is only 8 km off of the M1 in an area renowned for its variety of colourful birdlife and wild flowers where bushbuck are frequently seen.

The lodge has been operating for over 20 years and specialises in outdoor adventure offering mountain biking, hiking trails, rock climbing, abseiling, canoeing, fishing, birding, orienteering, forest fitness. There are also many opportunities to explore beautiful indigenous woodland, the highland plateau and rural Malawi life on the one of the many signposted circular walks. Alternatively you can relax and let nature come to you from the comfort of your condi or patio.

The comfortable and spacious family accommodation, restaurant and bar facilities alongside outdoor adventure activities make it an ideal place for a family holiday.

A stay at Luwawa Forest Lodge will compliment the typical African safari or beach holiday experience.

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The Lodge Condi Credit: Luwawa Forest Lodge Enjoy a coffee on our Condi with its sweeping views of our beautiful Lodge garden and listen to the birdsong

Chalet 1 Credit: Luwawa Forest Lodge We have four lovely two-bedroom chalets, each with its own condi and views over the beautiful expansive Lodge garden

Self-catering cottages Credit: Luwawa Forest Lodge There are one-, two- and three-bedroomed fully equipped self catering cottages in the grounds of the Lodge.

Cedar Cottage bedroom Credit: Luwawa Forest Lodge A good night’s sleep is assured. Nature’s alarm clock will wake you gently in the morning.

Panoramic Luwawa Dam View Credit: Luwawa Forest Lodge The Luwawa Damn is a wonder area to walk around, sit by and relax, hire one of the Lodge Kayaks to paddle on or even try your hand at fishing in!

Walking with Bob Credit: Luwawa Forest Lodge There are numerous mountain biking and walking routes to suit all capabilities from the easy 2km family walk to a more arduous 7 hour hike... to take in the magnificent variety of sceneries that the Lodge is set in

Chelinda Camp, situated within Nyika National Park, overlooks a crystal-clear dam with views out onto the open grasslands of the High Nyika Plateau.

The camp has two types of accommodation. Four chalets each with two bedrooms, bathrooms, a lounge, dining area with fireplace, and small kitchen are ideal for private groups with their own guide; private meals can be enjoyed in the chalet. Six twin-bedded en-suite rooms with either a bath or shower are also available; guests here take meals in the nearby main area, which has a large dining, bar and lounge area complete with comfortable furnishings and an inviting fireplace.

This unique area is explored via day and night game drives, walks and mountain biking. The area has a host of birding specials such as Bar-tailed Trogon, White-chested Alethe and Denham’s Bustard.

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Chelinda Camp Chelinda Camp

Chelinda Camp Nyika Landscape

Chelinda Camp Zebra

Chelinda Camp Nyika Flora

Chelinda Camp Roan

Chelinda Camp Nyika Landscape

Chelinda Camp - Self-catering chalets Chelinda Camp - En-suite rooms

There are four self-catering chalets – each with two bedrooms with two beds in each, a lounge with dining area and fireplace, and a small well-equipped kitchen. There is a shared bathroom with bath and shower. The chalets are ideal for private groups with a guide.

There are six twin bedded en-suite rooms with either a shower or bath.

Property Facilities

Bar, Internet Access, Secure Parking

Room Facilities

Complimentary Wi-Fi, Fireplace, Internet, Lounge Area

Services

Airport Shuttle, Babysitting Service, Laundry Service, Room Service

Makuzi Beach Lodge is situated on the lush Northern shores of Lake Malawi. It has 11 en-suite chalets, all with stunning lake views set in perfectly manicured gardens. Amenities at the lodge include free resident car parking, free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, tea and coffee making facilities, and mosquito nets in all chalets. The lodge also boasts an on-site restaurant and bar where guests can relax and enjoy a delicious meal prepared from produce from the garden.

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Credit: MakuziBeachLodgeLakeMalawi

Credit: MakuziBeachLodgeLakeMalawi

Credit: MakuziBeachLodgeLakeMalawi

Credit: MakuziBeachLodgeLakeMalawi

Credit: MakuziBeachLodgeLakeMalawi

Credit: MakuziBeachLodgeLakeMalawi

The lodge is situated along the banks of the beautiful Bua River in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and guests can expect wonderful views downstream and across to the wilderness on the opposite bank. This is a small and owner managed property that offers a relaxing and friendly stay. Accommodation is provided in six purpose-made, luxury safari tents, erected on varnished wooden floors and shaded by thatched roofs. Large mosquito-netted windows, ventilation flaps and screen doors, ensure that even on the hottest day the tents stay cool inside. Each is located to ensure seclusion and to engender a feeling of solitude. Each has an extensive viewing deck to the front, that overlooks the beautiful Bua River. Much of the furniture has been made by local artisans and, in many cases, constructed from dead hardwood trees found within the lodge site. Each unit has an open-air but very private bathroom (toilet, hot water showers and wash basins) to the rear. All accommodation is reached by walking, but never more than 300 metres from the main lodge. The footpaths are patrolled by lodge staff and lit with paraffin lanterns to guide you back to your room at night.

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Credit: BuaRiverLodge

Credit: BuaRiverLodge

Credit: BuaRiverLodge

Credit: BuaRiverLodge

Credit: BuaRiverLodge

Credit: BuaRiverLodge

The perfect getaway for nature lovers looking for a combination of adventure and relaxation in a tranquil, private setting. Exclusively situated on Nankoma Island, a wild paradise in Lake Malawi National Park (UNESCO World Heritage site). Unobtrusive and eco-friendly, operating on solar power.

Offering a unique and sustainable travel experience, Blue Zebra is a conservation driven lodge working with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife in Malawi to protect three islands making up the Marelli group: Nankoma, Maleri, and Nakantenga. These uninhabited islands are home to a vast array of fresh water fish, including some of the most rare and colourful in the world. They support diverse flora and fauna and are a bird watcher's paradise.

Accommodation: a unique set-up with 9 en-suite safari-style tented chalets, 1 forest-set Pitta Cottage, and 1 Superior Family Cottage overlooking Lake Malawi. Secluded executive chalets boast stunning views from private balconies. The chalets are set in an unspoiled environment, immersed in nature.

Facilities: spa, infinity pool, cocktail bar, restaurant, games room, meetings room, curio shop.

Activities: nature trails, birding, kayaking, snorkeling, water-sports, sunset cruise.

Just a 2 hour drive from Lilongwe, this is a great combination with Zambian Safaris as well as various wildlife parks in Malawi.

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Birding Credit: WAG Malawi

Superior Family Cottage Executive Family Chalets Executive Chalets Pitta Cottage Lake Safari Tents

The most luxurious and spacious of the island room types. A large, open planned cottage (house) with a lounge and dining area and two en-suite bedrooms (one queen, one double). 2 single beds can be added to the main room.

The master bedroom has ample cupboard space with a built in dressing table and an open bathroom with a shower and bathtub. The second bedroom is a smaller en-suite double room opening onto the lake-facing balcony.

Minimum 2 adults required (or supplement to the equivalent).
Capacity: 4 adults, 2 children. This unit can be set up in different ways: suitable for a couple; 2 adults sharing separate rooms; 3 - 4 adults sharing (with discounted sharing specials); a family with 2 adults and up to 4 children; multi-generational families.

2 Executive Family Chalets: Malachite and Fisheagle. Spacious en-suite safari-style tented chalets each with 2 bedrooms, a lounge and bathroom. Private lake-facing balconies.

Typically for families of up to 5 (2 adults & up to 3 children) or up to 4 adults.
Main room: 1 queen bed / Twin room: 2 single beds / U12's sofa bed in the lounge

FISHEAGLE: located around the side of the island with a long downward stairway entrance, in a natural and very private setting.

MALACHITE: located just behind reception at the lodge entrance. Private but closer to lodge facilities.

Executive Chalet: Cormorant. En-suite safari-style tented chalet, exclusively located around the side of the island with private lake-facing balconies.

1 queen bed & 2 sofa beds for U12's.

Named after the African Pitta.

En-suite, spacious thatched cottage, nestled in nature. Located above the central Lake Safari Tents, with stairway access. One spacious ensuite bedroom, a lounge with a sofa bed, and a large side-patio with a table seating area, patio furniture & hammock. *Photographs will be updated soon as this is the newest room.

Lake Safari Tents: Bulbul, Darter, Heron, Hornbill & Nightjar
En-suite safari-style tents, smaller than executives but quaint and comfortable. 3 doubles, 1 twin, 1 single. Some have sofa beds for U12s.

DARTER: 1 queen bed & 2 sofa beds
Centrally located, nearest the restaurant, no stairs, largest balcony.

HERON: 1 queen bed & 1 sofa bed
Centrally located, small stairway entrance.

HORNBILL: 2 single beds & 1 sofa bed
Centrally located in-between Darter & Heron, small stairway entrance.

BULBUL: 1 queen bed & 1 sofa bed
The furthest chalet from the communal area overlooking the lake. At the entrance to nature trails.

NIGHTJAR: 1 single bed
Centrally located, small stairway entrance. This is the smallest of our accommodation options, with one single bed only.

Property Facilities

24-hour Security, Bar, Conference Centre, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa

Room Facilities

Balcony / Deck, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Laundry Service (Available), Mosquito Nets, Plunge Pool, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah

Services

Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card, Room Service

Nature Trails Kayaking Snorkeling Boat Cruises Birding Chill out at the Infinity Pool Wake Boarding / Water Skiing / Tubing Spa Yoga Retreats

Explore the wonderfully wild paths around and over Nankoma Island & connect with nature. The further you go the smaller you feel as you walk among massive Baobab trees. Venture off track to The Ancient Fig for a halfway break and soak in the enchanting natural beauty of this unspoiled paradise.

The main trail around the island is only 2.3km. Enjoy the thriving birdlife, look out for the elusive Red Duiker along the top path, Chameleons camouflaged in in trees, Monitor Lizards along the shore.

Early-birds will catch a stunning sunrise!

Explore the Marelli Archipelago by kayak - a great way to get out and explore the coves and coastal wildlife up close.

It takes around 45min-1hr around Nankoma Island, but for the more active and adventurous you can kayak all 3 islands in around 2.5 - 3 hours.

For a shorter kayak, there are rocky outcrops close to shore. Paddle around and spot all the different kinds of colourful fish. Other possible sightings: otters, monitor lizards, bird-life (especially Cormorants and African Fish-Eagles).

6 kayaks available: 4 single & 2 double.

Rarely does one have such effortless and immediate access to a site teaming with aquatic life. Just a few meters off the shore, experience Malawi’s renowned Cichlids in all their natural splendour. Famed for their vivid and vibrant colours, the Islands are home to species unique not only to Lake Malawi, but many to these islands! Look out for the Blue Zebra!

The best sites depend on lake levels and the time of year. Snorkel equipment is free to use for off-shore snorkeling. At an additional charge, snorkel trips can be arranged to Maleri and/or Nakantenga Islands.

Cruise around the Marelli islands and experience an awe inspiring Lake Malawi sunset out on the water - MGT (Malawi Gin & Tonic) or your sun downer of choice in hand. Every sunset is different & it's always an unforgettable event as the sun gently dips below the low lying Nkhotakota hills in the distance.

Malawi is world renowned as a birdwatchers paradise. The country boasts over 650 different species of birds, 10% of which are native species non-existent anywhere else on the globe.

Lake Malawi provides an ideal habitat for bird life has the highest concentration of African Fish Eagles on the continent. Their cry is heard frequently echoing across the skies over Nankoma Island.

There are over 350 species at the islands - best seen in the dry season. Take a bird check-list around the island and tick of how many you see.

Quite possibly the most popular 'activity', although this doesn't require being active. With stunning views over Lake Malawi, what better way to spend an afternoon than splash about in the Infinity Pool with a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail for kids) or laze on the deck-chairs with that book you've been too busy to read!

An exciting way to experience Lake Malawi, flying over the fresh clear water of the lake at high speed.

Motorized water-sports have additional charges.
Must be booked at the lodge, around the boat transfer schedule.

What better place to relax and pamper oneself than a tranquil private island, surrounded by the calming sounds of nature. Set under a giant fig tree with views across Lake Malawi.

Yoga weekends are usually scheduled during low season. Guided practice with restorative immersion in nature.

For self practice, the lodge has a few spare yoga mats, or guests can bring along their own and set up on their balcony or where they like!

BEE-EATER RESTAURANT

Named after a frequent visitor to the island, the African bee-eater.

All packages are inclusive of meals prepared by a team of Malawian Chefs at Blue Zebra Island Lodge.

Creatively inspired by international cuisine, with a touch of Malawi:
The menu is prepared around seasonal foods and catered to all dietary requirements. Advance request should be given for special requirements, given that it may be difficult to get some ingredients to the island.

Enjoy a continental buffet with hot-breakfast to order; select a 2-course lunch & 3-course dinner from a set menu presented daily.

Breakfast: 6.30 to 10.00
Lunch: 12.00 to 14.00
Dinner: 18:30 to 20:30

The restaurant can seat 40 guests. Guests may opt for a poolside lunch or a private evening dining experience at the sunset lounge or Nankoma Beach.