Mkulumadzi in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi

The perfect combination of luxury and isolation, Mkulumadzi boasts eight superb chalets set on the banks of the Shire River, shaded by giant leadwood trees and wild mangos. Each chalet has a spacious bedroom and lounge, ensuite bathroom, outdoor shower and private viewing deck where guests can sit back and marvel at the sights and sounds of the river.

The bush chalets are luxurious and spacious with contemporary furnishings, some crafted from locally-sourced materials. They are flooded with natural light, giving you the sense of being in the forest without compromising your comfort and privacy. There is also an outdoor shower with a large rain shower where guests can enjoy the sensation of bathing under a waterfall. The shower is open to the surrounding bush with stone-clad walls for privacy.

On a green note the lodge is fully solar powered (with a back-up generator for those cloudy days). Acknowledging the temperatures that impact certain times of year but keeping in line with our carbon footprint, we have environmentally friendly ‘evening breeze’ air-conditioned beds. Even the architecture of the property which has very spacious chalets, each unit has vegetated roofs for additional cooling and blending in with the environment.
Guests arrive by a footbridge suspended over the Mkulumadzi River to discover a friendly welcome and many home comforts. The lodge has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, a lounge and terrace, a bar and shop, swimming pool, viewing deck and a lapa for evening campfires. Afternoon tea is served on the terrace and on most nights, dinner is served beneath the stars.
Game drives are offered in the mornings and late afternoons, giving guests plenty of time to relax beside the pool, gaze at the resident bird population or listen to the grunt of hippos wallowing in the river. Longer excursions are also offered with a packed breakfast or lunch, perfect for exploring the far reaches of Majete.

Exploring Majete on foot is highly recommended. The routes that follow the Mkulumadzi and Shire River are especially scenic with an abundance of birdlife and large mammals. Early mornings are the best - and coolest - times for walking. We also offer an escorted hike to the top of Chimwala hill.

From the seclusion of a comfortable hide overlooking a waterhole guests can experience the thrill of watching animals coming to drink. An excellent photographic opportunity with buffalo, elephant, black rhino, sable antelope and eland all regular visitors to the waterhole.

A visit to a nearby village and community centre offers guests a chance to experience Malawi outside of Majete, to understand local culture and to share people’s experiences of living alongside a wildlife reserve.

We also offer a unique experience that isn't offered anywhere else in Malawi - The Mkulumadzi Star-Deck. Choose to spend the night on our exclusive raised star-deck gazing at the twinkling galaxies above us, far from the bright lights of the city. A truly unique and unforgettable experience the star-deck can host a maximum of two people. The cozy set-up includes a double bed with cotton linen, bedside tables, a canopy mosquito net, lanterns and seating, perfect for sharing with someone special in the midst of a truly wild and stunning natural paradise. Available from May – Oct.

Key Facts

Open dates: All year round
Location: Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
Access: Air- From Lilongwe guests are advised to take a 1 hour and 15 minute flight in a small aircraft to the Majete Airstrip. During the rainy season the Nchalo airstrip is used (45 min drive to the lodge). Road- Transfers from Majete airstrip to the lodge is approximately 20 min. 2 hr scenic drive from Blantyre. 5 hr drive from Lilongwe.
Accommodation: Eight spacious luxury chalets; 3 x double bedded chalets, 2 x twin bedded chalets, 1 x honeymoon chalets, and 2 x family chalets.
Activities: Guided game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, walking safaris, hiking Chimwale Hill, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and to nearby Elephant Marsh, and game-viewing from a photographic hide.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.