Blue Zebra Island Lodge

13°53’10.6"S 34°36’30.5"E

100% (1 reviews)

Blue Zebra: Information from the owner

General information

Type: Lodge

No. of rooms: 11

Check-in time: 12:00

Check-out time: 11:00

About this information

All the information on this page is supplied to us directly from the lodge owner and reflects their view, not ours.

For Expert Africa's view, see our own full report on Blue Zebra, which contains our own observations and views.

Last updated by Owner: 25 Mar 2024

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Facilities at Blue Zebra

Property facilities: 24-hour Security, Bar, Conference Centre, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room facilities: Balcony / Deck, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Hair Dryer, Laundry Service (Available), Mosquito Nets, Plunge Pool, Safe, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Activities on site: Beach Drop Off, Bird Watching, Boating, Boules, Canoeing, Fishing, Kayaking, Massages, Snorkeling, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Water Skiing
Languages: English

Room types at Blue Zebra

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Executive Chalets

2 standard Executive Chalets: Kingfisher & Cormorant. En-suite safari-style tented chalets. Both exclusively located around the side of the island with private lake-facing balconies.

CORMORANT: 1 queen bed & 2 sofa beds for U12's. Best for couples / young families.
Furthest executive chalet from the communal area. Stairway from the balcony down to boulders which meet the lake.

KINGFISHER: 1 queen bed & a mini-lounge. Best for couples / solo travelers.
Long stairway entrance down to a private cove where this secluded chalet is set on the waters edge.

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Executive Family Chalets

2 Executive Family Chalets: Malachite and Fisheagle. Spacious en-suite safari-style tented chalets each with 2 bedrooms, a lounge and bathroom. Private lake-facing balconies.

Typically for families of up to 5 (2 adults & up to 3 children) or up to 4 adults.
Main room: 1 queen bed / Twin room: 2 single beds / U12's sofa bed in the lounge

FISHEAGLE: located around the side of the island with a long downard stairway entrance, in a natural and very private setting.

MALACHITE: located just behind reception at the lodge entrance. Private but closer to lodge facilities.

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Lake Safari Tents

Lake Safari Tents: Bulbul, Darter, Heron, Hornbill & Nightjar
En-suite safari-style tents, smaller than executives but quaint and comfortable. 3 doubles, 1 twin, 1 single. Some have sofa beds for U12s.

BULBUL: 1 queen bed
the furthest chalet from the communal area overlooking the lake & a private beach. At the entrance to nature trails.

DARTER: 1 queen bed & 2 sofa beds\
Centrally located, nearest the restaurant, no stairs, largest balcony.

HERON: 1 queen bed & 2 sofa beds
Centrally located, small stairway entrance.

HORNBILL: 2 single beds & 1 sofa bed
Centrally located in-between Darter & Heron, small stairway entrance.

NIGHTJAR: 1 single bed
Centrally located above reception.

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Pitta Cottage

Named after the African Pitta.

En-suite, spacious thatched cottage, nestled in nature. Located above the central Lake Safari Tents, with stairway access. One spacious ensuite bedroom, a lounge with a sofa bed, and a large side-patio with a table seating area, patio furniture & hammock. *Photographs will be updated soon as this is the newest room.

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Superior Family Cottage

The most luxurious and spacious of the island room types. A large, open planned cottage (house) with a lounge and dining area and two en-suite bedrooms (one queen, one double). 2 single beds can be added to the main room.

The master bedroom has ample cupboard space with a built in dressing table and an open bathroom with a shower and bathtub. The second bedroom is a smaller en-suite double room opening onto the lake-facing balcony.

Minimum 2 adults required (or supplement to the equivalent).
Capacity: 4 adults, 2 children. This unit can be set up in different ways: suitable for a couple; 2 adults sharing separate rooms; 3 - 4 adults sharing (with discounted sharing specials); a family with 2 adults and up to 4 children; multi-generational families.

Activities at Blue Zebra

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Birding

Malawi is world renowned as a birdwatchers paradise. The country boasts over 650 different species of birds, 10% of which are native species non-existent anywhere else on the globe.

Lake Malawi provides an ideal habitat for bird life has the highest concentration of African Fish Eagles on the continent. Their cry is heard frequently echoing across the skies over Nankoma Island.

There are over 350 species at the islands - best seen in the dry season. Take a bird check-list around the island and tick of how many you see.

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Boat Cruises

Cruise around the Marelli islands and experience an awe inspiring Lake Malawi sunset out on the water - MGT (Malawi Gin & Tonic) or your sun downer of choice in hand. Every sunset is different & it's always an unforgettable event as the sun gently dips below the low lying Nkhotakota hills in the distance.

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Chill out at the Infinity Pool

Quite possibly the most popular 'activity', although this doesn't require being active. With stunning views over Lake Malawi, what better way to spend an afternoon than splash about in the Infinity Pool with a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail for kids) or laze on the deck-chairs with that book you've been too busy to read!

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Kayaking

Explore the Marelli Archipelago by kayak - a great way to get out and explore the coves and coastal wildlife up close.

It takes around 45min-1hr around Nankoma Island, but for the more active and adventurous you can kayak all 3 islands in around 2.5 - 3 hours.

For a shorter kayak, there are rocky outcrops close to shore. Paddle around and spot all the different kinds of colourful fish. Other possible sightings: otters, monitor lizards, bird-life (especially Cormorants and African Fish-Eagles).

6 kayaks available: 4 single & 2 double.

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Nature Trails

Explore the wonderfully wild paths around and over Nankoma Island & connect with nature. The further you go the smaller you feel as you walk among massive Baobab trees. Venture off track to The Ancient Fig for a halfway break and soak in the enchanting natural beauty of this unspoiled paradise.

The main trail around the island is only 2.3km. Enjoy the thriving birdlife, look out for the elusive Red Duiker along the top path, Chameleons camouflaged in in trees, Monitor Lizards along the shore.

Early-birds will catch a stunning sunrise!

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Snorkeling

Rarely does one have such effortless and immediate access to a site teaming with aquatic life. Just a few meters off the shore, experience Malawi’s renowned Cichlids in all their natural splendour. Famed for their vivid and vibrant colours, the Islands are home to species unique not only to Lake Malawi, but many to these islands! Look out for the Blue Zebra!

The best sites depend on lake levels and the time of year. Snorkel equipment is free to use for off-shore snorkeling. At an additional charge, snorkel trips can be arranged to Maleri and/or Nakantenga Islands.

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Spa

What better place to relax and pamper oneself than a tranquil private island, surrounded by the calming sounds of nature. Set under a giant fig tree with views across Lake Malawi.