Here at Kumbali Lodge we are constantly striving to offer a wide range of high quality Malawi Tourism activities for our guests. As part of this we are proud to announce the launch of our classic car touring business in Malawi and the rest of Central Africa. We currently have 8 classics available including the Triumph TR, Volvo P1800 and Volvo Amazon which we intend to hire out to classic car enthusiasts to participate in organised trips around Malawi and other parts of Central, Eastern and Southern Africa.

The first 12 day trips scheduled for April 2013 (as described on the attached flyer) are entitled “Discover Malawi ‘13” and include all of the accessible tourism highlights of Malawi.

Our business partner (and brother of Kumbali Lodge owner, Guy Pickering) has been involved with classic cars for the last 25 years and has driven his TR4A from Dar es Salaam to Cape Town and his Volvo 122s from Malawi to Cape Town and on to Cairo. Guy has recently caught the bug and has also done 2 long trips from South Africa in a Volvo 122s and also a Volvo P1800.

All our cars are in excellent condition and meticulously maintained.

Please  contact us now for more information on itineraries, cars etc.

Dugouts at sunset on Lake Malawi

While most posts about Malawi tourism begin by citing how it is a poor country- we think that Malawi is rich indeed. Malawi facts: its home to one of the world’s largest lakes (8th, 9th, or 10th depending on the source!), several substantial rivers, nearly 600 known food plants and receives an average of 1200 mls of rain per annum. Malawi is ecologically abundant!

Perhaps it’s natural wealth is most apparent under the rippling waves of Lake Malawi- where over 1000 types of Cichlids (brightly coloured tropical fish) are known to live. Some sources say that Lake Malawi is habitat for more species of fish than any other lake in the world.

Nicknamed the Lake of Stars, by missionary explorer David Livingstone, the lake is long and narrow and the southern part of the lake is easily reached from Lilongwe. If you are after some great dives, or want to learn to dive, then consider a trip to southern waters of Cape Maclear. Here you will find Danforth Yachting- a PADI diving centre fully equipped and ready for divers and soon-to-be divers. Danforth Yachting also provides some of the best Malawi accommodation on one of the most beautiful parts of the lake. Also of interest, Cape Maclear is home to Lake Malawi National Park a UNESCO World Heritage Site said to be as ecologically important for understanding evolution as the Galapagos Islands.

Over the next few blog posts we would like to highlight the ecological wealth of Malawi in the hopes that readers are encouraged to explore the natural abundance that Malawi has to offer. Malawi travel opportunities are endless and chances are you will pass through Lilongwe and we do hope that you will come visit us. We are located just 8 km outside of the city centre on a 650 hectare farm so we feel confident in saying that- for a Lilongwe hotel- we have the biggest garden for you to relax in after a long day of travel or meetings.

Sunset over Lilongwe – View from the lodge

The city limits of Lilongwe are large and the various parts of the city are quite spread out. While this seems initially limiting to visitors without their own transport, it has actually paved the way for one of the most interesting attractions for Kumbali Country Lodge guests: the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre. With 180 hectares of forested land in City Centre, the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre provides shelter, care, and release preparation for orphaned and injured animals. They are open 365 days a year and offered guided tours on the hour from 8:30 am to 5:00 am.

Another great outing for guests is a guided tour of the Area 2 markets. A Kumbali Country Lodge driver would be happy to escort you around the place where many locals go to buy everything from food to hardware, new & second-hand clothing, fabric, bicycles parts and much much more. The market is abuzz with traders touting their wares and chances are you will invited by “Mr. Cheaper Cheaper” to look- because “looking is for free!” If you see something you like, give a go at negotiating the best price!

You might feel hungry after walking through the narrow market alleyways and a great place to get lunch and coffee is Mama Mia Italian restaurant located in the Old Town Mall. With fresh brick-oven fired pizza’s, homemade pasta, and even the old stand by, chicken & chips, Mama Mia’s is a great place for people with diverse dietary needs and preferences.

If it is a quiet stroll and a beautiful sunset you are after, you need look no further than outside your verandah at the Lodge. Maureen or Guy would be happy to point you in a direction for a walk on the farm (and they might even convince you to walk their dog!) which is 465 hectares! Make sure to walk down to Nature’s Gift Permaculture (500 meters) to see solutions for environment, food & nutrition security!

With its fantastic rooms, delicious food, gorgeous setting, and part-of-the family hospitality, what more could you want from a Lilongwe hotel?

Follow our blog to stay in touch

This is where we will be bringing you information and updates from around Malawi, to help you get the most out of your time here. Through our network of partners and friends we are able to offer snorkelling, diving and boat trips on the wonderful Lake Malawi as well as visits to National Parks and Guided Safari Tours to South Luangwa, just over the border in Zambia.

Of course our main business continues to be offering high-quality, luxury accommodation in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, but we also wanted to share our wealth of knowledge and experience of this wonderful country through our website blog.

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