Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve has opened in Malawi near Lilongwe. The reserve is set amidst the Rift Valley and is an area of rugged wilderness. The area is covered in miombo woodland and is home to some large mammals including elephants, buffalo and lion. As well as Nkhotakota, two concessions for privately operated lodges have joined the Malawi Travel Marketing Consortium and are set to open soon.
These lodges include Bua River Lodge which is set on the banks of the Bua River, 2km inside the eastern side of the reserve. To begin with, Bua River Lodge will comprise of six accommodation units which are purpose built safari tents, pitched on wooden decks under thatched roofs. Each tent is generously separated from the next to give you more privacy. The 2 luxury and 2 standard units are all en-suite with open-air bathrooms whilst the 2 economy units are not. The existing camp has also been upgraded to give returning visitors a fresh new look.
The second of the camps is Tongole Wilderness Lodge will consist of 4 luxurious thatched riverside suites each with their own sunken baths/plunge pools. The raised wooden decks give visitors a spectacular view of the Bua River. The lodge has been designed to perfection by experts to incorporate the best of the local Malawian culture whilst also blending into its surrounding setting. Tongole is due to open in June of this year and a further 6 – 8 beds are planned for 2011.
Kaya Mawa on Likomo Island is about to undergo a refurbishment. The lodge closes on 5th November 2009, amongst other things, the following will be happening:
- New, re-plumbed bathrooms
- Solar power to all rooms
- A new bar & restaurant on the beach
- New rooms with their own pools
- New suites with panoramic views
- New PADI recognized dive centre at Kaya Mawa (Likoma Island Divers)
Kaya Mawa was previously voted one of the best ten romantic destinations on the planet. We look forward to seeing these new refurbishments and experiencing even more luxury at this exclusive luxury lodge.
Mvuu Camp
posted in Malawi on Wednesday, October 7, 2009
While Liwonde's 500 plus elephant can usually be seen for 10 months of the year, the increasingly hot and dry weather brings the entire population to the banks of the Shire River, Since late July the river has become the park's only source of water. It is unusual to see less than 200 in separate herds of up to 50 at this time of year.
The latest and greatest idea whilst staying at Pumulani is to take a picnic breakfast out on the dhow. And picnicking Pumulani style includes: freshly baked croissants, muffins and nutty fruit loaf, a bacon bagel that melts in your mouth, granola pots with chilled yoghurt and honey, fruit smoothies and breakfast pies! On boarding the boat a "Bloody Mary" is served and breakfast is washed down with fresh fruit juice or filter coffee. The experience is completed with a swim in the lake. This is how life should be; a gourmet picnic served up on a beautiful wooden dhow on the bluest lake in Africa.
Malawi’s Lake Of Stars Festival, described as second only to Glastonbury in the world of music festivals, this year moves location to the southern reaches of Lake Malawi – the Lake of Stars.
Such has been the festival’s growing popularity, a new site, capable of accommodating the numbers of international visitors attending the event, has been chosen. The Festival will be held from 15 to 18 October at the southern reaches of the Lake, based on the Sunbird Nkopola Lodge and with a host of other lodges and hotels nearby.
The eclectic mix of Western and African music draws an audience from across the world as well as being one of Malawi's most popular events in the year. The opportunities offered to international visitors to add to the Festival the chance to tour in one of Africa’s most attractive destinations are added attractions. Most visitors are keen to enjoy the water sports offered on the Lake, to view the magnificent scenery and to join a game safari, extending the four day festival into a fourteen day holiday.
For more information visit the Lake of Stars Festival website: www.lakeofstars.org