Mkulumadzi Lodge

A stay at Mkulumadzi offers you a beautifully balanced combination of luxurious accommodation with tranquil seclusion in beautiful south Malawi. Approach the lodge by footbridge over the river Mkulumadzi River, and find a hidden gem of home comforts and wild nature.

Choose between eight incredible chalets to stay in (doubles, twins, honeymoon or family), all set along the river bank for perfect viewing of the passing waters. Each spacious chalet features an en suite bathroom with private outdoor shower, living area, and a private deck where you can sit back and relax, absorbing all the sights and sounds around you.

The furnishing is made from local materials, and the open and airy feel of each chalet allows for peaceful, private rest and relaxation. Each has a sloped green roof filled with many indigenous plants, like succulents and wonderful shrubs, which helps to keep them cool in the hot season. Here, you can truly unwind within the beauty of nature, without having to lose your creature comforts.

Mkulumadzi Lodge has a restaurant that offers indoor and outdoor dining where you can dive into delicious local dishes made from local ingredients. You can also indulge in a comprehensive wine list on request. The lodge also offers afternoon tea every afternoon, served on the terrace.

Each morning you can set out with the lodge staff on a game drive exploring the beautiful landscape around you, and spotting the wild creatures that live all around. For longer excursions, packed breakfasts or lunches can be prepared so you can spend more time in the thick of it.

Exploring Majete and all its beauty on foot is a must. Along the river and out into the bush there is abundant birdlife and ‘the big five’ living all around. In silent moments out on the walk is when you can really soak in the beautiful sounds and spot paw-prints for yourself. Accompanied by a guide, expertly set routes up to the peak of Chimwala Hill allow you to take in vistas and totally immerse yourself in the flora and fauna.

Just before the watering hole are Mkulumadzi Lodge’s own viewing and photography hides, perfect for capturing stunning images of the animals quenching their thirst. Buffalo, elephant, black rhino and so much more can all be viewed up close as you observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

The sky, the sunsets and the stars are all known to be outstanding in Malawi, and Mkulumadzi Lodge is no different. On their exclusive raised Star Deck you can spend your night marvelling at the immense beauty of the stars as the night sky comes alive. The deck can host two people, and features a cosy double bed, bedside tables, lanterns, and seating, all perfect for a truly spectacular night getting lost in the light of the galaxy.

The staff at Mkulumadzi Lodge offer a trip to a nearby village and community centre so you get the chance to meet real Malawians, learn about their culture, and how they live alongside a nature reserve.

Within your chalet, the lodge team have installed ‘evening breeze’ air-conditioning which allows you to sleep in a cool atmosphere within your mosquito net, without cooling the whole chalet. This form of air-con allows you to slumber peacefully, while the lodge is able to be mindful of their energy consumption.

When it comes to energy consumption, the lodge is very proud of the fact it is run entirely on solar power, with a back-up generator for when things get a little cloudy. This sustainable energy source allows the lodge to decrease its carbon footprint dramatically, and make as little impact as possible on the surrounding reserve and its wild inhabitants.

All eight chalets that you can choose to stay in are designed so that many indigenous succulents and shrubs thrive growing on the roof. Not only does this reduce the heat within the chalets, but it also blends the lodge into its surroundings, further decreasing its impact on the surrounding area.