Lukwe Eco Camp

The main deck, built on stilts on the side of a steep cliff, feels like it’s on the edge of the world - in a good way. It's home to the restaurant and bar, shaded by a combination of thatch, umbrellas and a leafy canopy. The kitchen serves up only the freshest ingredients (prepared on a wood stove), and of course a brew of home-grown coffee. ​There's a lovely fireplace to keep you warm on chilly evenings, and a cool hanging bench where you can shoot the breeze. All the woodwork is made by one of the owners, Auke, and his love for this place and his craft truly shines through.

​A variety of simple, but cosy accommodation is available at Lukwe. There are several thatched chalets built of reeds, as well as a few newer canvas tents under reed shelters. All have a double bed, small cupboard and a deck at the front. Bathrooms are communal and basic - showers heated by donkey boilers and composting toilets - but are kept spotlessly clean. Besides a cup of tea, coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice brought to you in the morning, there are no other amenities to speak of. There is also a leafy campsite where you can pitch your own tent for a much-reduced rate, accompanied by a well-equipped kitchen.

​Your first stop is likely to be the spectacular 80-metre high Manchewe Falls, just a few minutes walk from camp. There are also plenty of other beautiful trails around, lasting from a few hours to a whole day, from the Chombe Plateau to the town of Livingstonia, through the community and their coffee smallholdings. Between the rainforest and the woodland there's an abundance of wildlife to look out for - over 400 species of birds, 200 species of orchids, plus monkeys, baboons, bushbabies, otters, jackals, frogs and a whole lot more. Both Nyika National Park and the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve are easily accessible from Lukwe.