Maji Zuwa, meaning “water and sun,” in the local Tumbuka language, is a social entrepreneurship venture encompassing a lodge, conference facilities, community meeting place and non-profit organisation located in Sangilo Village, Chilumba, Karonga District, on the northern beach shores of Lake Malawi. Maji Zuwa hosts travelers who are looking for more than just a typical stop-over. Having the best view of the lake, perched above the azure waters, we offer backpackers and travelers the opportunity to be involved in something bigger than a lodge. Our rooms are clean, simple, and affordable with options ranging from ensuite, to inexpensive dorms, and, of course, camping sites which overlook the water. There are numerous activities with which you can take part while staying with us at Maji Zuwa. In addition to our regular activities such as day trips to Livingstonia, snorkelling or beach volleyball, the staff will always let you know of special events that may be happening that you’d like to do. For example, watching the local high school football match as they play their rivals from the neighbouring town. For those who would like peace and tranquility, you’ll look upon some of the best views of the lake, relaxing in Adirondack chairs where you can kick back and snooze the afternoon away As well as being a lodge and community meeting place, Maji Zuwa is also the home of Determined to Develop (D2D), a non-profit organisation working in Chilumba. D2D works side-by-side with members of the community to address their needs and provide assistance in the overall development of the wider region. Profits from Maji Zuwa go toward the development projects that focus on four areas: education; women’s empowerment; health and nutrition; and environment. As part of our education program, D2D pays school fees for more than 350 girls and boys at both community secondary schools and national boarding schools. Over 40 of these youth, many whom have been orphaned, live with us here on the Maji Zuwa campus (and they are always keen for beach football if you are interested!).
My time in Malawi wouldn't have been the same without my stay at Maji Zuwa. Since it's located right along the main road, it wasn't hard to get there from the Llongwe airport (though it is still a journey). The best parts of my stay at Maji Zuwa were the people and the location.
Since Maji Zuwa is part of the community and very well respected and regarded, I got to meet many people from the local town and they and the Maji Zuwa staff made the stay feel more like staying in someone's home than any other place I've stayed.
Another prime aspect of the location is that Maji Zuwa overlooks Lake Malawi, which is a breathtaking freshwater lake. There is a beach right in front of the lodge and bungalows, allowing you to go out for a swim any time you please. Take some goggles or borrow them at the lodge and you can see colorful fish through the crystal blue water.
Finally, there are many things to do nearby - whether you want to volunteer in the community, visit the Univeristy at Livingstonia, hike through the manageable mountains, or lounge by the lake, this is your place! I can't wait to make it back to Maji Zuwa!
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Date of stay: December 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Take one of the bungalows by the lakeside. They are beautiful and you'll wake up hearing the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is phenomenal. This resort is perfect for travelers of all sorts of backgrounds. Whether you are a biker traveling down M1 from Tanzania, or someone looking for a deeper and authentic interaction this place is for you. The location of your room is breath taking. Imagine waking up to the sound of Lake Malawi's waves hitting the banks only 60 meters from your room. The water is clean and I enjoyed snorkeling and swimming in this crystal clear water for a good duration of my stay. The chalets are simple. For the most part, they include one room, a desk, a comfortable bed, good lighting, and electrical outlets. Camping is also available at a good price.
Easily the best part about this place is the staff. The owner, Matt ("Maroony") is well respected within the community and has been giving back to the Sangillo Village for years. He has hand picked a stellar staff of genuine Malawians. If you are traveling to Malawi and you're looking to experience an authentic interaction and gain honest insight of the Malawian culture I recommend this Lodge. In fact, I would argue that this may be one of the best places for that. And if you are a Malawian native, give this place a look. I guarantee it is worth every kwacha.
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Date of stay: June 2012
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is not the greatest of accommodation, but for the price it is worth it. The place is clean however the room on the first night was full of termites which triggered my allergies. I did not meet the owner, however the staff were friendly especially Owen and they gave a ride to karonga which was nice! Found the guests/ volunteers not very friendly though. Was not impressed with the food and would say the cook needs to be thought how to cook to serve to guest. Another thing that put me off was the dogs.. I love animals however there was something not right about these. I asked if they were sick as they looked it but was told no.
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Date of stay: January 2014
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you are looking for a great place to stay for a couple of months or just one night, Maji Zuwa is the place to be. Interesting travellers are constantly filtering in and out of the lodge and are always willing to stop for a beer and conversation. The owner and employees are so friendly and so hospitable, you literally might not have to lift a finger as you dine on the tacos (a lodge specialty), watch the sun set over the lake, or kick the football around with some of the friendliest locals you will ever meet. It's a great place to stay for one night, but an extended stay is even better: the owner is chalk full of useful travel information on the region and is more that willing to go the extra mile for any and all of his guests. To sum it up: great view, great people, great service, great food, great price! Enjoy your stay at Maji Zuwa!
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Date of stay: July 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This beautiful lodge offers the most beautiful sunrise views over the lake, good food, and an atmosphere you can't easily find anywhere else. The people at the lodge are very friendly and welcoming. They will definitely go out of their way to make sure you are comfortable and happy. After all, the unofficial motto of Malawi is "feel free." Whether you spend weeks here on a volunteer trip or are passing through on a greater tour of Africa, you will have a great experience at Maji Zuwa. Even if you are just in the area for a day, it is worth it to stop by and grab a beer and chat with everyone there.
I stayed for ten weeks and everyone there became like family. There were nights of stories and games as well as relaxing afternoons reading next to the lake. I cannot wait to be able to go back someday.
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Date of stay: June 2012
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Rooms by the water offer the best views, and no matter what room you have, you will be lulled to...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maji Zuwa is full of friendly faces, tasty food, excellent views of the lake, and warm conversation. Located in the scenic and tranquil northern region of Malawi, Maji Zuwa is only a hop, skip, and a jump from Tanzania and Zambia—prime location! Maji Zuwa is a home away from home.
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Date of stay: June 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maji Zuwa, meaning Water and Sun, is a lodge which captures the warmth and hospitality of Malawi, Africa.The lodge is located along the shore of beautiful Lake Malawi. Visitors can relax by the lake, try the local cuisine and also interact and immerse themselves within the culture of the Warm Heart of Africa. The lodge gives those looking for an atypical vacation or service destination a safe, clean and fun place to stay while experiencing Africa.
Maji Zuwa is not just a lodge. It is a place of hope for the people in Malawi. The lodge serves a home for teenage orphans within Malawi that would not have a place to live if it was not for the hospitality of the lodge. These boys bring life to the lodge and help establish an atmosphere in which all are most welcome.
Also, the profits generated by Maji Zuwa are used to help cover the administrative costs of Determined to Develop, a non-profit aiming to promote community development within the surrounding villages. This allows Maji Zuwa to give back to the local communities. Therefore, Maji Zuwa serves a place where people can do good while also having a life changing experience.
I have lived at Maji Zuwa for the past two summers and I will be going back again in May. This lodge is not just a vacation destination for me. It has become a second home, and those who live and work at the lodge have become like family to me. The experiences I have had at Maji Zuwa have forever changed my life and I would recommend this place to anyone looking to experience something that is bigger than yourself. My recommendation, take a leap of faith and go immerse yourself within the Warm Heart of Africa at Maji Zuwa.
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Date of stay: May 2012
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whether you're only spending time in Malawi or on a trip from Cape to Cairo, spending a few days at Maji Zuwa will be a highlight of your traveling adventures.
First of all, there are limited decent places to stay north of Mzuzu until you get into Tanzania. So you have to decide whether you're going to put in a long day of traveling from Mbeya south (or Mzuzu north) or settle for a scaled down night in a less-than comfortable lodge. So where finding a place that's only an hour or so from the Mal-Tan border used to be a challenge, its not so any more.
Second, the place is relatively new... well-known by Malawians in the north (especially minibus drivers) but not so much in the Central and Southern regions. Its only been open for a little more than a year but they've grown by leaps and bounds in that time. That fact alone is amazing considering that every project or improvement is down only when the lodge has the funds to add a little here or there.
The reason that's important is the THIRD point of why you should stay at Maji Zuwa... and the most important one. Maji Zuwa isn't JUST a lodge. It's also the home for more than a dozen Malawian teenage boys who help run the place in exchange for a safe home and school fee coverage. The personality of the boys brings an energy and excitement that other lodges simply don't have. I'd encourage you to come and have conversations with them about what they're studying in school or what job they might want one day. They're anxious to learn about things you might bring from your home (culture, sports, music, etc) and they're equally happy to share what they know about Malawi with you. Good luck trying to beat them in Bawo (sp?).
If you're spending lots of time in Malawi, Maji Zuwa is one of the more peaceful and relaxing places you can go. Based near the villages of Hara and Sangilo, its proximity to the village makes it a quiet place to just sit and stare across the lake toward Tanzania. And its only an hour from the Karonga boma.
The lodge can help arrange tours up to Livingstonia (where owner Matt Maroon is a lecturer and Dean), as well as local safari trips.
I highly recommend this very reasonably priced and extremely friendly lodge. You won't have a bad experience here.
Safe travels.
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Date of stay: November 2012
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Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Ask for one of the front chalets if you want the lake view in the mornings, or ask for the en...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We chanced upon MajiZuwa whilst looking for somewhere to stay in the area. Matt Maroon and Clemmy were so welcoming. The location is amazing perched on the lake shore and the huge bar/restaurant serves great food..even for us veggies!! The breakfast pancakes were delicious too and all for a very basic price. We were very impressed with all then projects that MZ supports....let it continue!
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Date of stay: September 2014
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:We went for a room with its own bathroom!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was only at Maji Zuwa for just about 24 hours at the end of a work visit to Malawi but I sooooo wish I could have stayed longer! While there I met some volunteers who described it as the "black hole of Maji Zuwa" - because when you're there you completely lose track of time and distractions from the outside world. Even within the few hours I had to enjoy the lake views from the shaded lodge I felt fully relaxed. Just wish I could have stayed longer... I went to sleep to the sound of cicadas and the waves lapping the lake shore and woke up to the sun rising up over the lake, looking out towards Tanzania. Bliss! Really friendly service and a great community development ethos. P.S. Don't miss out on the vegetable fajitas with avocado or the chicken burgers (-:
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Date of stay: April 2014
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
New York City, New York9 contributions10 helpful votes
"Take one of the bungalows by the lakeside. They are beautiful and you'll wake up hearing the gentle waves lapping at the lakeshore. They have en suite private bathrooms and you'll receive your own key and won't have to worry about leaving your belongings while you explore. Prices were aka very affordable!"
There are more places to choose from in the Chilumba area.
LOCATION
MalawiNorthern RegionChilumba
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
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