Highlights

• Located right in the middle of Liwonde National Park.
• Sleeping among the hippos.
• Expert guided boat cruises and game drives.
• Great facilities like a refreshing swimming pool.

Background

The name Mvuu in Chichewa means “hippo” and for good reason. The lodge sits right along the edge of Shire River, in the center of the Liwonde National Park. The secluded location is full of wild animals that come and go as they please, especially the hippos that come onto land at night. Mvuu Lodge provides all the adventure of bush camping without sacrificing the luxuries of a fine hotel.

Experience

There are a couple ways to get to Mvuu Lodge. The easiest and most popular is to drive to Hippo Lodge further south on the Shire River and take an hour boat cruise upstream which also allows for wildlife viewing before docking directly at Mvuu. You can also charter a flight to the airstrip at the lodge or even driving the entire way, though only 4×4 vehicles can make the treacherous drive.

Coming from Club Mak, I took the popular route by boat which gave me the first taste of the beautiful scenery of the river. Our group immediately saw plenty of hippos, elephants, and crocodiles on the way to the lodge.

On arrival our host greeted us and brought us to the common area for check in and an introduction of the lodge and activities.

I was shown my luxury tent which was set up on a wooden platform right on the banks of the river. The walls were mostly open to the fresh air with a screen. The centerpiece of the room was a king sized bed with a mosquito net. A small seating area with a coffee table separated the bathroom area.

The bathroom design was unique with a dual sink island, a shower and separate toilet. Outside on the terrace was another seating area and hammock facing the river. The private outdoor shower was a fun addition.

A unique feature was the drum which was the way to signal for a person to come lead you back to the main lodge at night, as you would most likely come in contact with a hungry hippo.

Adjacent to the luxury Mvuu Lodge, is Mvuu Camp which is more utilitarian and perfect for families.

The restaurant and bar are located at the main reception area. Freshly prepared meals by the expert chefs cater to all tastes. From the dining deck the view extends over the river for a panorama of the surrounding landscape.

The highlight of Mvuu Lodge is of course the wildlife of Liwonde National Park. Safaris can be done on foot, by vehicle, or by boat. I experienced all the different safaris offerings during my one day stay and each was special in its own way.

The walking safari was early morning with a guide and an armed guard from the park. Walking in the vicinity of the camp, we spotted many birds, antelope, and even a hippo skeleton.

The safari by an off-road land cruiser allowed us to cover more land and see the larger animals like elephants. We also enjoyed drinks watching the sunset at the end of the drive.

On river cruises we spotted hippos, crocodiles, and even monitor lizards swimming. Elephants come to the river edge to bath, drink, and play.

You can also spot plenty of animals just wandering around the lodge.

The pool provides a release from the heat for those that want to take a dip.

Service at Mvuu Lodge was excellent. Not only do they prepare daily tours into the wild but they also took great care of each guest, organizing every detail. The experience was highly personalized which really enhanced the stay.

With it’s unique location, luxurious facilities, excellent staff and activities, Mvuu Lodge is a highlight of Malawi and I highly recommend a visit for those traveling through.

Contact
Mvuu Lodge
Address: P.O.Box 489, Lilongwe, Malawi
Telephone: +265 1771 393/153
Website: http://cawsmw.com/index.php/lodges/mvuu-lodge/
Email: info@cawsmw.com