Ngala Beach Lodge

Such a beautiful spot right alongside Lake Malawi, in the Warm Heart of Africa.

One of the best places we stayed in Malawi. The amenities were clean and lovely, and there were lots of friendly overlanders to share a communal meal with. It’s right on the lake, with beautiful views, and you can take the kayaks out to paddle along the beach.

The rooms were a real highlight for me: high ceilings, thatched roofs, open netting and fans, so there’s no need for air conditioning. The beds are amazing, and every room has its own bathroom. Don’t come expecting a TV, though. This is a place to chill out, although there’s one in the main lodge and you can ask to watch something specific. I’ve just come back to England after seven months in Malawi, during which I visited several lodges, including many along the lakeshore. Ngala Beach Lodge in Dwanga was my favourite. The drive in from the main road is much shorter than at most lodges, and once through the gates it feels like an oasis, full of lush plants, trees and grass. For camping, go through the reception car park and down the drive to the campsite. You can pitch on grass under the trees by the beach, which is constantly cleaned and raked. There’s free electricity, hot showers, flushing toilets with toilet roll, and lights around the campsite. The toilets are better than most. Campers can use the swimming pool and main lodge too, which few lodges allow. They’re happy to upgrade you if a room is available, but rooms are usually full or nearly full, so naturally they don’t offer discounts. The restaurant serves à la carte all day, and the food is amazing. If you want steak for breakfast, go ahead, or you can have a full English, called the Ngala Breakfast, at 9pm. Everything is priced. Of all the lodges I visited, only two had food that came close, and they cost a lot more. Neither served à la carte. I loved this place. This wasn’t my first stay and it won’t be my last. The staff are attentive and naturally friendly, as most people in Malawi are. Look for my other reviews.

The people really made our stay. Dan and Trish, the kind owners, helped us with anything we could think of, and John, a local, can take you on an informative village tour for an authentic look at Malawian village life. He also sells nice African souvenirs. The staff were kind and polite, and the restaurant had a variety of food and all the drinks you could want. It’s beautifully decorated, with views of the lake and mountains. The pool was pleasant too, surrounded by green grass even in the dry season. The campsite is green and grassy, right by a sandy beach that the staff keep perfectly clean and nice. The showers are hot, and you can fill your water tank from the campsite tap. We stayed three nights in one place for the first time on our trip, simply because it was so nice. Wonderful place, well worth the drive. Thank you, Dan and Trish. We hope to see you again.