Malawi Developments 2022 / 2023 – Part 2: Lodges & Hotels

Malawi was recognised as a Lonely Planet Top 10 Best in Travel Country for 2022 for its continued efforts in developing sustainable tourism even through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many in Malawi’s tourist industry have since introduced new initiatives and pushed on with a variety of developments through 2022 & continuing in to 2023 – mostly geared towards ensuring that they and their guests have a positive impact on the country. In the first article in a series of 3 we looked at Malawi’s local operators and in this second one we focus on some of the lodges and hotels.

Safari Lodges

With Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife reserve continuing so well down their road of rehabilitation, focus is starting to turn to the hidden gem of Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. Details of all the wildlife translocations into Nkhotakota this year will come in the next article but meanwhile, the lodges have been busy! Bua River Lodge, wonderfully sited on the Bua River inside the Reserve, completely refurbished their chalet tents in 2022, upgrading them with beautiful new stone bathrooms, large viewing decks, new furniture and swing seats. 2023 will see solar powered charging points added and more chalet tents built to increase capacity, including family and accessible units. New menus (still locally sourced as much as possible) and a new bar top things off for 2022 with exciting new guest activities coming in 2023.

Just on the edge of Nkhotakota, Rafiki Safari Camp have added new campsite rooms this year, attracting budget-conscious travellers. And in 2023 they will open a pedestrian gate directly from their property into the Reserve, allowing guests to be met by a park ranger and be escorted through a relatively unexplored area. With African Parks, Rafiki are also developing a fascinating 2-3 day trail through the reserve, following one of the historic (and still visible) slave trade routes.

Beach Lodges

Makuzi Beach Lodge, set in an idyllic cove on Lake Malawi’s northern shores, has long been a pioneer of eco-tourism and has continued with its reforestation projects both within its local communities and further afield. Makuzi’s gardens are now an oasis of biodiversity and they now offer spice tours and will start selling spices to guests as their crops increase. 2022 saw the creation of a new self-catering cottage, plus rethatching of all chalets & the bar, new beach umbrellas, new linen & towels, new water sports equipment and a menu upgrade. And in 2023 the kitchen will be re-vamped, a new swimming pool built and another family chalet established.

Nearby Kachere Kastle has always been a unique place to stay – a castle, with turrets, battlements and a drawbridge, right on the beach! But in 2023 they will go one step further and develop wigwams for glamping! Huge, family-sized wigwams with proper beds, power and fans, plus private fireside cooking and eating facilities just outside.

Forest Lodges

Dzalanyama Forest Lodge, run by Land & Lake Safaris, is just a short drive from Lilongwe, set in a quite beautiful reserve. This year it has been totally transformed into an eco-friendly lodge with full solar electrical, refrigeration and hot water systems, supported by an impressive gas cooker, enabling the lodge to completely move away from reliance on wood. Extra outside spaces have been created at the lodge and the campsite has had a complete makeover, with extra sites added and BBQs & benches positioned to make the most of its perfect setting. The lodge now offers a fully catered meal and bar service for both overnight and day visitors. 2023 will see the rebuilding of 2 chalets and the establishment of a new research camp for selected universities and individuals to map and catalogue the local biodiversity. Carnivore Research Malawi is undertaking a study on the carnivores in the area and lodge guests can get involved if they so wish. Finally, a stables is being established by 1 2 Travel Africa at the entrance to Dzalanyama Forest Reserve and horse-riding trails from a few hours to overnight will be available in 2023.

Up on the famous Zomba Plateau, Zomba Forest Lodge opened 1 more en suite guest room, bringing its total to 5 rooms sleeping a maximum of 10 people, alongside an extra living room to enable guests to spread out even more! They organised the 5^th Run 4 Reforestation plus accompanying Sustainability Fair, with plans to grow the event to a mainstay in the tourism calendar around which packages can be built. The Run raises money for TREEZ, the lodge’s conservation project which is about to sign a concession for a 250 ha conservation area through which guests will be able to follow a series of walking trails.

City Stays

Lilongwe stalwart Korea Garden Lodge has been very busy, with complete renovations across all rooms in 2022 including new ceilings new decoration, new curtains and furniture refurbishments. The reception has also been renovated and restructured and guests can now enjoy unlimited WiFi. On the digital side, Korea Garden Lodge is now on a range of new booking platforms, accepts PayPal payments and has developed a brand new website. Renovations will continue into 2023 including changing all doors to digital locks.

Meanwhile, across town, 1 2 Travel Africa have now taken over management of Lilongwe’s top rated Africa House and Mitengo House, both of which now offer free WiFi to all guests, and have wider vegetarian and vegan menu choices. Further developments will come though 2023 with a focus on sustainability.

For those in Lilongwe with a keen interest in wildlife, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust have opened brand new volunteer accommodation that can host 18 people across 6 bedrooms and also includes a lounge, kitchen, inside and outside dining spaces, two bathrooms, laundry space, a fire pit and garden. And Kumbali Country Lodge is developing its very own game area in 2023!

Read our Part 1 and Part 3 covering Malawi Tour Operators and Wildlife & Conservation using the buttons below.

Part 1: Malawi’s Tour Operators

Part 3: Wildlife & Conservation