'''Monkey Bay''' is at the southern end of Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi), in the country of Malawi, East Africa. Small port town, home to large monkey population. Gateway to Cape Maclear.

Get in

The M/S Ilala is still calling at Monkey Bay port on its way to Karonga. The much more modern M/S Mtendere has unfortunately been mothballed.

There is daily "AXA" bus from Lilongwe bus terminal, starting at 08.00, arriving to Monkey Bay around 14.00.

Get around

See

Do

The best thing to do on the lake and in Monkey Bay is Kayak to the surrounding rocky outcrops and small islands and snorkel to see the amazing fish. Take a snorkel and goggles along - the water is so calm that fins are unnecessary. Hire a kayak from Venice Beach backpackers, around 10 US for the day.

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

  • '''Hakuna Matata Backpackers''', near the bus stop, a friendly, South African run place, K 350 single, K 500 double (and very simple accommodations from K 150), meals at moderate prices. On the entertainment side, a lively bar with two pool tables, darts and juke box. "The" meeting place for travellers in Malawi.
  • '''Palm Beach Leisure Resort''', Phone: 01-594-798. [http://www.palmbeach-mw.com]
  • '''Mulangeni''' Phone: 01-594-698
  • '''Nkopola Beach Resort''', Phone: 01-594-444. A nice destination for overlanders, campers, or day trippers who plan to bring their own food. A short walk from Nkopola Lodge, the beach resort is snugly nestled at the base of a tree and boulder-packed mountain. You can arrange to sleep in one of the tents permanently set up, or even one of the small houses, or just set up your own place. Cold drinks are available from the bar, though if you want food you may have to walk up the beach to the Lodge.
  • '''Nkopola Lodge''', Phone: 01-594-444. Suited for day visits as well as longer stays, caters mainly to foreigners and wealthier locals from the city. Offering a friendly staff, several levels of comfort are available to suit your budget. A relatively new addition to the Le Meridien hotel chain, renovations have been underway recently to help bring the entire facility more up to par. The family-size bungalows face the gentle rolling waves of the lakeshore; roundavals sit in a second row of buildings behind the bungalows with no view of the lake. Of special note is the zoo-like enclosure that offers many varieties of tropical birds. Also on the grounds are plenty of monkeys, rock dassies, monitor lizards, baboons, and even donkeys.
  • '''Florence Motel''', Phone: 08870817. The Florence Holiday Resort is a friendly simple motel right next to Club Makokola - from the main road turn towards Club Makokola then take a left just when you reach the Club Makokola airstrip and go all the way around the airstrip! Rooms are simple but clean, including electricity and bathrooms en suite. It has a beautiful setting on the fishing beach, where the fishermen bring their catches each morning while their children play. There is a basic restaurant and but unfortunately, the staff is not friendly and there is inadequate cutlury to go around.
  • '''Club Makokola''', Phone: 01-580-772/445/469/244/447, 09-971-012/016. [http://www.clubmak.com] Affectionately known as ''''Club Mak'''' Is the premier spot between Mangochi and Cape Maclear. Air Malawi even offers flights to its airstrip, making it a popular spot for those wanting to land somewhere between Blantyre and Lilongwe. A gorgeous 18-hole golf course is another draw to Club Mak. The prices are steep, but worth it from what I've heard. The grounds are spacious and well manicured, with a tropical feel and lots of green. They offer large spacious rooms and a bar and restaurant, situated on the beach it offers fantastic views of the lake and the Mozambique shores opposite. $160 a night for tourists, $80 for locals, but can be bartered down. I got local prices as i had spent a month in the country so worth a try
  • '''Tropex''', the resort's plant nursery just outside the main gate, is a great place to pick up your own sapplings and start your own tropical forest. Day visitors are able to use the facilities, including the lovely pool. Prices are 400MK per adult per day, children are 200 each. Meals are acceptable, though the portions a bit small for the price.
  • '''Boadzulu Lodge''', Phone: 01-594-725/570/562. Situated just across from Boadzulu Island (well known for its bird wildlife), this affordable lodge 30kms north of Mangochi offers a friendly atmosphere with mature grounds. Each of the rooms --with fans (standard), aircon (executive), DSTV (all) appear to be clean and well maintained. The bar and restaurant (seating 50), both with the option of eating outdoors, are attractively situated next to the beach under a huge tree offering great shade and beauty. Other amenities include beach volleyball, snorkeling, scuba, water skiing, fishing, and kayaking as well as the option of hiring a boat to take you to Mvuu camp (Liwonde National Park) or up the lake to Cape Maclear. The most affordable options for lodging is the camping area which has army-style spacious tents with beds inside and a place next to each tent for a personal vehicle to be parked. They are also equipped with electricity and nearby shower/bath.
  • '''Andrews Holiday Resort''', Phone: 01594372 / 09-941-264 / 08-824-962.
  • '''Sun 'n Sand''', Phone: 01-594-545/550. [http://www.sunnsand.malawi.net] hosts a huge variety of amenities on its sprawling grounds just a little ways past Club Mak. Children will agree that the best thing offered here is the pool--rumored to be the largest in the country! Kids will also love the fun (and unique) playground equipment, inflatable jumping castle (on weekends), kiddy pool, and plenty of animals around the place (guinea fowl, ducks, geese, and even ostriches). One downside to this place is that it is so big it can take a while to walk from your room to the restaurant, or from the room to the pool, depending on where you are staying. The area's Asian population especially frequent this establishment. A small but attractive mosque is situated on the far end of the property (next to the pool) so vacationers don't need to worry about missing daily prayers.
  • '''The K Lodge'''
  • Venice Beach Backpackers. ithing Monkey Bay. ww.venicebeachbackpackers.com. A very cool and laid-back place to stay right on the white sandy beach

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