Majete Reserve

Thawale Lodge

Q: How much does it cost to stay at Thawale Lodge?

Stays at Thawale Lodge start from around US$270 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.

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Thawale Lodge

About Thawale Lodge

Experience Malawi's finest reserve and conservation success story, in style

Ten years ago, Majete Wildlife Reserve in southern Malawi was eerily void of wildlife. Thanks to the African Parks Network, this is no longer the case – they've reintroduced 2500-plus large mammals, including all of the Big Five. Thawale Lodge, which is operated by Sunbird Safaris, is one of only two lodges in the sanctuary. It offers comfortable accommodation and a variety of ways in which to make the most of your wilderness experience (including no fences, so the wildlife wanders freely). Notably, Thawale also donates all profits to the management and operation of the reserve.

Majete Reserve , Malawi

From $270 per person/per night

Safari

6 Rooms

Open Map

Property details

The property

A tall, open-sided, thatched building with polished concrete floors incorporates the lounge, bar and dining areas. Meals are usually served at private tables, though the open-plan lounge and bar maintain a more convivial vibe. The furnishings and decor are pretty basic, with a few African animal prints here and there. There's a shaded veranda in front – a great spot to watch birds and other wildlife passing through (the camp is unfenced, so its waterhole attracts plenty of game).

The rooms

Six well-spaced chalets, including one family unit, stand on concrete bases to help keep things cool and provide a slightly elevated view. The rooms are comfortable without being too fancy, with a veranda facing the waterhole. The en-suite bathrooms are of stone and have all the necessities, while one slightly more luxurious room has an open-air bathroom built into the rocks and includes a sunken tub. Something more rustic? The solar-powered campsite offers a barbecue, bar and dining area.

Activities

Apart from the Big Five, species that were reintroduced to Majete include sable, eland, zebra, impala and warthog, making for good all-round game viewing. There are also 300-plus recorded bird species to watch for on game drives or guided morning walks. Hike up Majete Hill for a beautiful 360-degree view of the park, paddle the Shire River, take a night drive or visit the local community. Some packages include two activities per day, so plan your options in advance.

Why we love it

The floodlit waterhole at the heart of the camp, which attracts a constant stream of wildlife during the dry season, making for round-the-clock armchair game viewing.

Insiders Tip

For something a little different, go behind the scenes with one of the park's rangers or managers to gain a little insight into what goes into running the reserve.

Something to think about

We’d recommend staying a minimum of 2 - 3 nights to make the most of all this pioneering reserve has to offer.

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How to book Thawale Lodge

How do I book Thawale Lodge?

Thawale Lodge 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 Thawale Lodge 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 Thawale Lodge?

Stays at Thawale Lodge start from around $270 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.

Malawi

Majete Wildlife Reserve

The country’s first Big Five reserve is beautiful, rugged and a real conservation success story.