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Huntingdon House, Thyolo | Timbuktu Travel
Thyolo

Huntingdon House

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Named three years running in Travel+Leisure World's Best, including No.1 in 2024

About Huntingdon House

Soak up the charm of this 1940s country house on a fragrant tea estate in Malawi.
In the early '20s, a young Scotsman called Maclean Kay bought his first piece of land in Malawi. And it was here, in the temperate Shire Highlands in the country's south, that he planted his first tea plantation, and called it Satemwa. In 1936 he built Huntingdon House for his family, and the original home has now been turned into a beautiful boutique guesthouse. Surrounded by emerald lawns, elegant trees and lily-filled ponds (and hectares of tea), the house is tranquil and relaxed – the perfect setting in which to appreciate the timeless magic of this stunning corner of Malawi.
Thyolo , Malawi
From $480 per person/per night
Retreat
5 Rooms
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Property details

The property

Old-world style oozes from every corner of the house. An arched frontage frames the wraparound veranda, sheltering its cavernous velvet sofas and wrought-iron tables. Huge French windows lead from the interior into the gardens and views of those vivid green fields. Meals created using fresh farm produce are served in the formal dining room, beside a roaring fire, though lunch is often an alfresco beneath-the-trees affair. Leave space for the traditional afternoon tea though – it's deliciously splendid!

The rooms

The house has just five bedrooms, each decorated in a unique country style and named after its original function. Father's Room, for example, is bold, masculine and quite modern, whereas The Nursery is light and playful. Each, however, has a large four-poster with rich cotton sheets and plump pillows, modern fittings and fixtures, and all bathrooms have grand, claw-foot tubs to sink into at the end of the day. Small outdoor verandas have views out to the immaculate gardens.

Activities

Wander through the tea plantations and visit the factory (there are coffee plantations too; beans are harvested from May to late August), or follow one of the well-marked hiking routes through the valley. Hire a mountain bike for longer explorations. In the afternoon, take tea on the veranda, and try your hand at croquet or boules on the lawn. Take a day trip to Majete Wildlife Reserve, the forested Zomba Plateau, bustling Blantyre or Mount Mulanje – great for climbing.
Why we love it

Why we love it

Taking afternoon tea on the verandah, and then watching the sun go down in the evening, accompanied by a tea-infused cocktail. How very romantic!
Insiders tip

Insiders Tip

Take a picnic up to the viewing spot on Thyolo Mountain and gaze out at the spectacular views of nearby Mount Mulanje and the glistening Shire Valley.
Something to think about

Something to think about

This is an idyllic spot to spend a few days between safari drives and although there are sporty activities on offer, it’s really all about the R&R.
Plan your stay

How to book Huntingdon House

How do I book Huntingdon House?

Huntingdon House can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Malawi trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Malawi trips featuring Huntingdon House or get advice and suggestions from one of our Malawi specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.

How much does it cost to stay at Huntingdon House?

Stays at Huntingdon House start from around $480 per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.

Huntingdon House

Malawi

Thyolo

Emerald tea gardens cascade down misty hills in Africa's unexpected highland paradise.