Must-see hotels in Malawi

  • Mkulumadzi Lodge

    Malawi

    Romantically reached by a suspension bridge over a croc-infested river, this extraordinary lodge is a fusion of African tradition and boutique chic. The…

  • Kaya Mawa

    Malawi

    Remember Scaramanga's pad in The Man with the Golden Gun? Kaya Mawa, set on an amber-coloured beach lapped by turquoise water, is the ultimate location to…

  • Tongole Wilderness Lodge

    Malawi

    Built with local materials, this eco-conscious lodge sits at elevation above the Bua River, a well-worn elephant crossing. Its thatched, near-church-high…

  • Luwawa Forest Lodge

    Malawi

    Set at 1585m, homey Luwawa sits in a clearing of pine trees, its manicured gardens spilling with colourful flowers and morning mist. There are seven…

  • Thawale Camp

    Malawi

    Situated around a watering hole frequented by antelopes and warthogs, this upmarket bush camp is about 3km inside the reserve from the main entrance. The…

  • Mayoka Village

    Malawi

    Cleverly shaped around the rocky topography of a cliff, boutique-style Mayoka cascades down in a series of beautiful bamboo-and-stone chalets. There are…

  • Mumbo Island Camp

    Malawi

    Situated exclusively on Mumbo Island, this eco-boutique camp has chalets and a walk-in tent on wooden platforms (with en-suite bucket showers and eco-loos…

  • Bushman's Baobabs

    Malawi

    The former Chinguni Hills Lodge is a fun place to experience a night in the bush and a safari. In an accessible location in the south of the park, Bushman…

  • Lukwe EcoCamp

    Malawi

    This serene, tasteful permaculture camp is about being part of the environment and the community: helping local farmers and being completely self…

  • Mushroom Farm

    Malawi

    Perched on the edge of the Livingstonia escarpment (aka an abyss!), this permaculture ecolodge and campsite is worth the arduous journey for the warm…

  • Chelinda Lodge

    Malawi

    Sitting on a hillside in a clearing of pine trees, upmarket Chelinda is a traveller's dream. The main building crackles with fires at every turn,…

  • Kara O’Mula

    Malawi

    Hidden up a dirt track right beneath Mt Mulanje, this delightful eyrie cloaked in lush vegetation has a swimming pool (fed by fresh water from a small…

  • Mvuu Camp

    Malawi

    Run by the excellent Central African Wilderness Safaris, Malawi's premier safari operator, Mvuu sits on the river in the realm of myriad hippos and crocs…

  • Domwe Island Adventure Camp

    Malawi

    Domwe is the smaller and more rustic of Kayak Africa's two neighbouring island lodges, run on solar power and romantically lit by paraffin lamps. It’s…

  • Sunbird Ku Chawe

    Malawi

    Set in elevated botanical gardens dripping with honeysuckle and bluegums, Ku Chawe boasts amazing views of the distant plain. Inside its red-brick…

  • Danforth Yachting

    Malawi

    Beautifully finished Danforth has seven stylish, mint-fresh rooms set in lush beachside gardens. There's also a top-notch restaurant (guests only) with a…

  • Zomba Forest Lodge

    Malawi

    Book at least a day ahead to stay at this four-room guesthouse owned by British-Malawian couple Tom and Petal. Woodcarvings and Tom's artwork decorate the…

  • Latitude 13°

    Lilongwe

    Lilongwe's first world-class boutique hotel, this gated, nine-suite retreat raises the bar for Malawian accommodation. From the moment you step into its…

  • Mvuu Lodge

    Malawi

    This intimate, upscale Central African Wilderness Safaris lodge is full of romantic atmosphere. The sumptuous chalets, seven twin and one honeymoon double…

  • Chelinda Camp

    Malawi

    Nestled into the lee of a valley beside a small lake, this Central African Wilderness Safaris lodge is insanely picturesque. Its bungalows have an unfussy…

  • Huntingdon House

    Malawi

    Between Mulanje and Blantyre, this atmospheric colonial homestead, still run by the founding family, offers accommodation among the emerald-green fields…

  • Kumbali Country Lodge

    Lilongwe

    A short drive from the city centre, on a 650-hectare forest reserve, is a choice of swanky individual thatched chalets (Madonna has stayed here on her…

  • Mango Drift

    Malawi

    Far from backpacker hardship, this affordable island idyll is one of Malawi's most luxurious hostels. Its stone chalets are the closest you'll come to…

  • Pumulani

    Malawi

    Pumulani is a stylish lakeside lodge with nature-inspired rooms – think grass roofs and huge windows to let in the light, views of the surrounding forest…

  • Doogles

    Malawi

    Doogles is popular with discerning travellers of all stripes, its inviting pool and bar ringed by walls with a cool sunset-safari design. From there, the…

  • Funky Cichlid

    Malawi

    With its cheeky logo of a cichlid clad in sunglasses, this backpacker beach resort is Cape Mac's top spot to chill by day and party by night. Cool…

  • Cool Runnings

    Malawi

    The smiley yellow faces leading to this excellent-value beachside guesthouse say it all. Like a home away from home and run by warm host Sam, Cool…

  • Tuckaways Lodge

    Malawi

    Affiliated with the neighbouring Gecko Lounge, this neat and well-maintained compound offers a family room and five twin or double bamboo cabins with walk…

  • Annie's Lodge

    Malawi

    Set in the foothills of the Zomba Plateau, Annie's has a bar-restaurant with an appealing terrace for a sundowner, and black-and-white-brick chalets with…

  • Casa Rossa

    Malawi

    Named after its oxblood veranda overlooking town, this Italian-owned guesthouse offers hillside tranquillity and the best restaurant around. Rooms in the…

  • Macondo Camp

    Malawi

    Run by Italian couple and serial overlanders Luca and Cecilia, Macondo has cute rooms in the main house, tented chalets with wooden decks overlooking the…

  • Gecko Lounge

    Malawi

    A firm family favourite and with good reason, Gecko's self-catering chalets are right on the manicured beach. Each has a double and a bunk bed, fridge,…

  • Protea Hotel Ryalls

    Malawi

    This stately monolith is Malawi's oldest established hotel; opened in 1921, it was a legendary stop for travellers on the Cape-to-Cairo route. With its…

  • Norman Carr Cottage

    Malawi

    Balancing simplicity, character and luxury, this beach retreat's six suites and two-bedroom family cottage have massive handmade king-size beds, small…

  • Bua River Lodge

    Malawi

    Run by likeable Englishman (and Eric Sykes lookalike) John, Bua River – perched above a beautiful boulder-strewn section of the river – is an adult…

  • Safari Beach Lodge

    Malawi

    Safari's magical hillside gardens cascade in a riot of bougainvillea and boulders down to the beach. There are four air-conditioned rooms in the lodge,…

  • Mufasa Ecolodge

    Malawi

    This traveller's magnet is the main reason to hang around in Monkey Bay, with a sheltered beach bookended by smooth boulders and campsites on the sand or…

  • Sitima Inn

    Malawi

    Within staggering distance of the Ilala ferry, this low-slung cream building with art-deco aspirations is quirky to say the least, incorporating old boat…

  • Thumbi View Lodge

    Malawi

    Thumbi View's rooms are unexciting but comfortable, and, with two- to four-bed en-suite dorms, there's a good chance you'll have one to yourself. The…

  • Butterfly Space

    Malawi

    Run by Alice and Josie, inspiring, colourful and socially committed Butterfly is a rare backpackers' oasis. There's a palapa-style lounge or spacious…

More destinations you need to see