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Place in Southern Region, Malawi
Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cape Maclear (aka Chembe) is a small fishing village, composed of 6 smaller villages, on Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in Malawi. It has tarmac road leading into (and straight out of) town. The village along a dirt road with many paths leading to the lake and to the outskirts of the village. There are over 20 lodges, several hostels, some dive shops, a handful of vendors selling curios/fruit and veggies, a few bars, a supermarket with a bakery, and a local outdoor market at the far end of town. The pace of life here is... very... slow.
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On the north end of town. These are the final resting places of the first missionaries to the area, who died in 1875.
Runs day trips from Cape Maclear. Since the Lake is pretty calm, boat trips can be rewarding. Kayak Africa is the only PADI registered club in Cape Maclear. It offers scuba diving day excursions as well as certification courses: contact Rob at Kayak Africa!
Chembe
A lovely place to spend a couple of days in spacious and well decorated rooms; a fully stocked bar and a good kitchen makes your stay as pleasant as possible. You host is always available with tips to make your stay even nicer; the lodge is at the beach and you will be able to do kayaking and scuba diving or go to the island to spend a nice quiet afternoon.
The first Project Centre in Chembe Village offers visits to local projects, hands on help, volunteer programs and a way to connect tourism to the heart of the village.
Cape Maclear's only PADI-Registered Dive Resort, offering PADI scuba-diving courses and casual dives in the Lake Malawi National Park. The park is home to over 850 endemic species of Cichlids, and you can expect to see millions of them, as well as large catfish and blue crabs on typical dives. Visa & Paypal accepted.
Josiane and Roger, a French couple, built this lodge and serve food with the French touch.
Another place to go for drinks.
Domwe Island is an entirely off grid, sustainably run camp on a pristine island 5 km off Cape Maclear. It is run by Kayak Africa and you can rent a kayak or boat to get there, camp or stay in a fully-equipped tent, self-cater or hire a chef. Great place for families and outdoor enthusiasts, or just those who love a quiet beach and a beautiful place.
Among the quirkiest options for accommodation, offering simple, cheap rooms, including a bathroom, mosquito net, and double bed! Mr. Steven is a gruff, elderly Malawian man who must have presaged Cape Maclear as a relaxing, hedonistic destination decades ago.
Situated on the beach with an excellent bar, very friendly staff and good cheap food. Activities such as boat trips, kayaking and scuba diving can be arranged by Fat Monkeys (or by the beach boys). Fat Monkeys has long been popular with backpackers. FatMonkeys is a Skyband wireless Internet hotspot.
A family room is also available and tucked back in the garden (not lake side). All rooms share public toilets and showers (men's and ladies') - the bathrooms are very nice, big and clean. Kayaks, boat trips, community project involvement are all available from reception.
Next to Fat Monkeys it offers elegantly decorated rooms (with lofts) for singles, couples or families. Some of the things that set this place apart from the others is 1) the French cuisine (truly looked after by a French woman with years of experience in Africa) and 2) a small in-ground pool just perfect for lounging with a drink in your hand from the well stocked bar and restaurant.
Accommodation in chalets shaded by lush gardens, right on Cape Maclear's only private beach. Classy meals and lovely bar. Sailing, sundowner cruises and other water activities available. Secluded lake-side camping also offered.
A casual lodge with chalets with lake views and a friendly vibe. Watersports equipment, kayaks and boat trips are available nearby.
Backpacker and family lodge with terrace and mini swimming pool facing the lake, bar-restaurant, set dinner in the evening, boat trips.
Chipatso Project
Chipatso Lodge is a fruit-themed lodge two minutes from the lake. It is part of a larger organization, called Chipatso, that provides education for vulnerable children and jobs for single mothers. Proceeds from the lodge help fund this community-based organization. The lodge has various fruit themed rooms and guests can enjoy the lush grounds while walking through a creative, culturally inspired environment while also being close to the natural beauty and community life of Cape Maclear. Short and long term stays available and they have dormitory style rooms, private rooms for one or two and full self-catering rooms. Meals available on site; market on site.
Run on strict eco principles and is entirely off grid, it has only 7 tents, which are set into the bush on the tiny heart-shaped uninhabited islet attached to the island by a wooden bridge. Waters around the island are bilharzia-free and perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Mumbo is fully catered.
From the bus station in Lilongwe, take a minibus to Monkey Bay for a few bucks. A miter bike will take you the rest of the way into Cape Maclear (if you get stuck, you can always stay in Monkey Bay).
Read in the guideThe drive to Cape Maclear from Monkey Bay is through beautiful sunlit forest, preserved Lake Malawi National Park, which extends into the Lake, including nine islands, and offers shelter to some of the most spectacular…
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