Highlights

• Views and access to the beautiful Lake Malawi.
• Wonderful family run establishment with great staff.
• Many tours and activities around the lake.
• Elegant cabins and rooms, created with local products.
• Fine lakeside dining.

Background

The Makokola Retreat or “Club Mak” has been owned and operated by the same family for three generations and take particular pride in supporting the local community. Food, décor and service have all been sourced locally, right down to the hand crafted furniture and thatched roofs which enabled local women to establish their own business. The retreat rests at the south end of Lake Malawi with its own private beachfront where guests can enjoy breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.

Experience

On my tour of Malawi, I drove from Lilongwe to Makokola Retreat. Though both Lilongwe and Blantyre International Airports have 30 minute commuter flights to the private airstrip of the property.

I was greeted by the Makokola Retreat team who guided me to the main lobby area. The registration process was quick and soon I was introduced to my hut, one of the Lake Villas with a full view of the beach and water. The villas are close together along the lake but oriented to maximize privacy and create the feel of a secluded beach house.

Inside was a hand-carved bed complete with mosquito netting to guarantee a comfortable sleep. It also had a separate sitting area and a large bathroom with a double vanity and a separate bath and shower. The soaps were locally made of natural ingredients. The villa was situated right next to the green lawn which was just footsteps away from the beach.

Other accommodations include the two bedroom Chiefs Villas, Beach Rooms and Family Rooms which can sleep up to six. Each is decorated in a traditional Malawian theme and surrounded by the hotel’s manicured gardens.

The Restaurant at the Makokola Retreat serves Malawian, Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. Each dish is prepared with care with fresh ingredients grown on the property and in the community. The retreat also puts on theme nights by the lakeside to give guests a little taste of something new during their stay. With a view of the beach and sea, come early to witness a beautiful sunset. Dinner can also be a private affair in your villa.

There’s a Poolside Bar with a wide range of cocktails and fruit drinks.

There are so many activities at the Makokola Retreat it may be difficult to decide on what to do first. Traditional recreational activities like tennis, soccer, golf, and volleyball are organized on land daily as well as several water activities. There are speedboat rentals available for waterskiing, wake boarding and tubing. Canoes are also on hand for some snorkeling and watching the local marine and wildlife. The MV Sunbird Excursions offer some of the most exclusive overnight and day trips to Cape Maclear and Liwonde National Park. Other excursions include trips to Mua Mission, Boadzulu Island and Zomba Plateau.

The Lake Spa is the perfect place to renew the body and mind. There are five treatment rooms nestled in the retreat’s gardens. In addition to typical massage and facials, Makokola Retreat has also developed signature treatments featuring indigenous plant ingredients and African holistic practices.

Though Makokola Retreat is aimed at leisure it can also cater to business and special events like meetings and weddings. The staff has been specially trained to help plan and provide expert service. There are two Meeting Facilities which can be adapted to fit any party size with indoor and outdoor space as needed. There is also a Business Center with two computer work stations and wireless internet.

Service at the Makokola Retreat is excellent. The warm receptionists presented a great first impression and the restaurant staff and tour guides followed through to complete the experience. The surrounding community was also safe and welcoming as I toured around.

An unbeatable location on a beach with both sunrises and sunsets, a friendly warm staff, comfortable locally sourced rooms with matching decoration and a fine restaurant create an exceptional stay. I highly recommend the Makokola Retreat for the adventure traveler in search of a unique experience in a luxurious setting.

Contact
The Makokola Retreat
Address: P.O. Box 59, Mangochi, Malawi
Telephone: +265 (0)1 580244
Website: http://www.clubmak.com/
Email: reservations@makokola.com