NYALA LODGE

Lengwe National Park lies at the foot of the Lower Shire Valley, a lush sanctuary of 900 square kilometres in the heart of Malawi’s sugar producing area. This is truly one of Malawi’s greatest secrets, probably the most beautiful, natural and unspoilt of all the National Parks in this peaceful African country.

Nyala Lodge is set in the African bush, within Lengwe National Park. Only a short drive from Blantyre (approximately 75km), it is easy to forget how near to town, a real sense of freedom, is to you. Simple throughout, the atmosphere questions you why you don’t visit more often. The park is a unique site in a biodiverse and relatively unspoilt natural habitat. It’s a place to relax and unwind, to appreciate the beauty of nature. Jambo Africa Ltd aquired the tender from the Department of Parks and Wildlife in 2001. Faced with one dormitory to work with, Jambo’s team have developed the site in a low key way and have made this a very special base from which to explore.

Nyala Lodge offers comfortable & spacious rooms, sleeping two - four people with en suite facilities offering hot water. Chalets have electricity, mosquito nets and overhead fans or air conditioning. Delicious meals can be taken on the restaurant deck overlooking the bush where many animals graze nearby. A fully stocked bar with cold drinks and ice at all times. A refreshing splash pool for hot lazy days. There is also a campsite with ablutions and barbeque facilities. Guided game walks, vehicle safaris and day excursions to the nearby surroundings of Majete Game Reserve, Kapichira Falls, Nyala Park (Illovo Sugar Estate) and Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve are available on request.

Not only are you welcomed by friendly staff, as one would expect in Africa’s Warm Heart, you also have the option of comfortable chalet accomodation with eye candy decor to reflect the surrounding bush. Day visitors are welcome and encouraged to partake in the menu. Not to be missed are the best steaks in Malawi, farmed on the Lower Shire. After Zina had shown me around the chalets, of which there are 10, we took our MGT’s and sank ourselves in the pool. In the distance, others were also gathering at a water hole, including buffalo, nyala and warthogs. The scenery is beautiful and hours could easily be spent around the water holes bird watching or walking through the bush. There are large populations of Nyala, as well as smaller antelopes and baboons, and one might be lucky enough to spot a leopard or hyena.

LENGWE NATIONAL PARK
The park itself is 350 sq miles (900 sq km) bordering to the west with Mozambique. The natural vegetation of the area is mixed woodland and grassy dambo. It has the attraction of easily driven and signposted tracks near the main gate and a number of hides from which to see game at waterholes. All watering holes are supplied by pumped bore hole water and viewing hides have been established so visitors can watch the animals drinking at close quarters. In the dry season, game viewing is good and there is an especially interesting variety of antelope including the striped-back nyala, a very beautiful animal. Other antelope, such as bushbuck, impala, duiker and kudu are found here as well as warthogs, monkeys and baboons. The Park has some spectacular sandstone outcrops. This normally shy creature is a frequent visitor to the Lodge. There are many species in the park including Kudu, Impala, Bush Buck, Reed Buck, Buffalo, Duiker, Hyena and Warthogs. The park is also home to over 300 bird species.

HOW TO GET THERE
Lengwe makes for a good one-day excursion from Blantyre and getting there is easy. The roads are in very good condition. From Blantyre, go ‘down’ Victoria Avenue and over the bridge. Take the second right turning, and follow that road all the way down the escarpment. The trip to Lengwe is worth the effort just for the views over the Lower Shire valley. By the time you reach the bottom of the escarpment, the temperature will rise and shedding a layer or two of clothing will probably be necessary. Continue through Chikwawa and onwards past the sugar cane plantation until the sign on the right indicates Lengwe National Park, 10km. After the right turn, the last 10km are past more sugar cane over a dirt and molasses(!) road – quite a strong smell, but it does stop the dust!

RECOMMENDED READING
Malawi’s National Parks and Game Reserves by John Hough