About Chintheche Inn
The simple Chintheche Inn is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi, Africa's third-largest lake.
This northern part of the Malawi lakeshore is very green and lush, dotted with fishing villages and with endless sandy beaches.
Chintheche Inn is an affordable, family-friendly lodge located on a lovely beach. It’s ideal both for travellers who wish to relax and do nothing and for those who like to be kept occupied, with lots of water and land activities on offer. The food is fresh and simple and the staff very friendly.
Our view
Chintheche Inn is an affordable, family-friendly lodge located on a lovely beach. It’s ideal both for travellers who wish to relax and do nothing and for those who like to be kept occupied, with lots of water and land activities on offer. The food is fresh and simple and the staff very friendly.
Country manager: Malawi
Accommodation
11 plus the cottage
Children
Fine for all ages
Open
All year
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Cultural excursion
Fishing
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Traveller reviews of Chintheche Inn
7 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
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View galleryChintheche Inn: Our full report
The simple Chintheche Inn is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi, Africa's third-largest lake.
This northern part of the Malawi lakeshore is very green and lush, dotted with fishing villages and with endless sandy beaches.
So laid back is Chintheche that on our last visit, in November 2013, we felt it hadn’t changed much since our previous visit in 2007. Comfy chairs in the reception area are a good place to sort out the initial paperwork over a cold drink, while adjacent is a small curio shop, selling postcards, a few items of clothing, and locally made curios.
Set behind is Chintheche’s fairly dark main area, where cane furniture is grouped around a stone fireplace and novels and nature books jostle for space on a pine bookcase. The dining area opens onto a covered veranda laid with individual tables, although weather permitting, tables are laid out on the lawns under the trees. In front of the veranda, under a shady tree, is a collection of comfortable wicker sofas and chairs.
At the edge of the lawn, overlooking the beach, Chintheche boasts a good-sized swimming pool, with an adjoining shallow children's pool. Indeed the whole lodge is child friendly, and ideally suited to families. The beach itself is large, white and beautiful, dotted with the occasional rocks, and set with loungers beneath thatched umbrellas.
Accommodation at Chintheche Inn comprises ten fairly small but brightly furnished en-suite rooms, a similarly styled suite, a separate cottage, and a campsite.
- The rooms and the suite together form a row overlooking the beach. All are entered from the back, but open out to the front, through french doors, onto a small private patio with deck chairs, and thence straight onto the beach.
The bedrooms have terracotta-tiled floors and twin beds, or a double, set beneath mosquito nets and with a locally made wood-and-reed headboard. Blue bedspread and cushions add a splash of colour against white linen. A lamp sits on each carved wooden bedside table, and you’ll also find a sturdy luggage rack, and a desk. Tea- and coffee-making facilities and drinking water are supplied, as is a folder with information about the lodge and the surrounding area. There’s also a fan and a wall-mounted safe. Some of the rooms have adjoining doors – and hence easily convert for family use.
The small en-suite bathroom, decorated with bright, African colours, contains a powerful hot shower, single basin and flush toilet, with towels, bathrobes, soap and shampoo provided. - In addition to the en-suite bedroom, the suite has a separate lounge, with cane furniture and a single daybed that can be converted into a child’s bed. French doors lead out onto a patio, set back from the beach making it more private .
- The two-bedroom cottage can sleep up to five people, sharing one bathroom. It also has a lounge.
- Finally, Chintheche Inn has its own campsite, though note that this is located sufficiently far from the lodge that lodge guests will not be disturbed.
Beyond the lake, knowledgeable local guides are on hand to lead birding walks in the area and to arrange visits to local fishing villages. The nearby Bandawe mission also provides a fascinating look into Malawi’s colonial past. Also on offer are guided or unguided mountain biking trails, and horseback riding for all abilities at Kande stables, about 10km away.
On our 2013 visit a guide walked with us along the beach, where fisherman and children fished from the rocks, and into the village, where we chatted to a gentleman and a group of ladies grinding maize. On the way, we picked up a gaggle of small children who followed us everywhere – even trying to come back to the lodge with us!
Chintheche Inn is involved in several community projects, including a tree nursery set up in the lodge grounds with a view to tackling deforestation.. Throughout Malawi, indigenous forests are cut down for firewood and timber, as well as to create more land. The nursery grows and distributes about 40,000 seedlings a year, designed to produce firewood, fruit and indigenous hardwood. Guests are welcome to visit this and see the work they are doing here.
Geographics
- Location
- Shore of Lake Malawi, Malawi
- Ideal length of stay
- We recommend up to four nights here for a relaxing beach stay.
- Directions
- Chintheche Inn is a four-hour drive from Lilongwe on fairly good roads, following the lakeshore. Alternatively you can charter a flight to the Dwangwa (Chintheche) airstrip, which is about an hour’s drive from the lodge.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- The last time we visited Chintheche, in November 2013, the food was simple and fresh. Meals usually follow the format of a continental or English breakfast (the times are very flexible), an à-la-carte lunch from about 12.00 to 2.00pm, and a full three-course dinner at around 7.30pm.
The lodge is able to cater for any special requests if some notice is given.
For breakfast a buffet is laid out with fresh fruit and fruit salad, fruit juice, cereal and freshly made pancakes. Tea and coffee are served, and a cooked breakfast is available with a choice of eggs, bacon, sausage and toast.
For lunch, the menu included a choice of soup or a Greek salad (though they had run out of lettuce so made it with cabbage instead!), followed by a selection of sandwiches, burgers and locally caught fish (chambo or kampango) and chips. Dessert was a fresh fruit salad.
For dinner we had a soup starter, followed by a choice of steak or fish served with fresh vegetables, and finished off with a tasty chocolate tart. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not available.
- Drinks included
- Filtered drinking water, tea and coffee are provided in the rooms, but no other drinks are included at Chintheche.
Special interests
- Beach holidays
- The simple Chintheche Inn, owned and managed by Wilderness Safaris, is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi. It offers a serene getaway, with pristine sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush gardens.
- See ideas for Beach holidays in Malawi
- Birdwatching
- The simple Chintheche Inn, owned and managed by Wilderness Safaris, is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi. This northern part of the Malawi lakeshore is very green and lush, dotted with fishing villages and with endless sandy beaches.
- See ideas for Birdwatching in Malawi
- Riding holidays
- Horseriding for all abilities is available from the Kande Stables, about ten minutes’ drive from Chintheche Inn. Choose an hour's forest ride or a three-hour bush, beach and swim ride with an optional picnic lunch.
- See ideas for Riding holidays in Malawi
- Walking
- The simple Chintheche Inn, owned and managed by Wilderness Safaris, is a relaxed beach lodge on the western shore of Lake Malawi. This northern part of the Malawi lakeshore is very green and lush, dotted with fishing villages and with endless sandy beaches.
- See ideas for Walking in Malawi
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There is no age restriction at Chintheche Inn.
- Special activities & services
- The lodge offers special guided walks for children and the swimming pool has a shallow children’s section. Toys and games are available and meals can be tailored to suit varying appetites.
- Equipment
- Both cots and highchairs are available.
- Generally recommended for children
- We would highly recommend Chintheche Inn for children.
- Notes
- Young children need to be supervised by their parents as the swimming pool is not fenced and the lodge is in close proximity to the beach.
Communications
- Power supply notes
- The mains electricity supply can be erratic in Malawi (especially when there are thunderstorms) so the generator is used as a back-up.
- Communications
- The lodge has a landline and there is also good mobile reception.
- TV & radio
- None.
- Water supply
- Mains
- Water supply notes
- All rooms have hot and cold running water 24 hours a day.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is available at the local clinic in Chintheche, approximately five minutes drive away as well as further away at Nkhata Bay – about 15 minutes from the lodge.
- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- There are unarmed nightwatchmen at night to escort you to and from your room, and the inn has two guard dogs which wander the grounds from 11pm to 5am.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers outside the rooms and in the common areas.
Activities
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Cultural excursion
Fishing
Scuba-diving
Snorkelling
Watersports
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- There is an extra charge for laundry – clothes are collected in the morning and returned during the afternoon or early evening. There is a laundry list available in the rooms.
Costs vary from 30 cents for underwear and socks to 80 cents for a pair of jeans or a jumper. - Money
- Each room has a wall-mounted safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- Only Visa credit cards are accepted as well as US dollars, UK sterling, euros and SA rands cash. There is no additional charge for using Visa.
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Chintheche Inn's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Chintheche Inn.
Other lodges in Shore of Lake Malawi
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Pumulani
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Mumbo Island
Mumbo Island Camp is a small eco camp on a small granite island in Lake Malawi. This is a great, remote spot for kayaking and snorkeling.
Makokola Retreat
Makokola Retreat is a large, family friendly lodge located on a stunning beach on the southern lakeshore of Lake Malawi.
Makuzi Beach
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Blue Zebra
Blue Zebra is a simple and affordable beach lodge with lots of character, which is popular with expats and ever increasingly with international visitors.
When to go to Shore of Lake Malawi
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Chintheche Inn in Shore of Lake Malawi
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Malawi in January
January is the middle of the rainy season in Malawi. You can expect heavy rain for a few hours most days with some occasional flooding. It is generally hot and wet, with temperatures reaching over 30ºC.
The landscape is green and lush and the air crystal clear. In the game reserves the thick bush can restrict animal sightings, making game viewing more challenging. With the abundance of water available the wildlife disperses and is no longer concentrated around water sources. However, many species give birth at this time of the year and it is a great time for birding.
Although the majority of the safari camps are open at this time, most of the beach lodges along the lakeshore close in mid January.
- Peak of the rainy season with thundershowers most days
- Many animals are with young & birdlife is at its most spectacular
- Bush lush & green; animals dispersed so game viewing more difficult
- Air is clear & dust-free, which is great for photography
- Majority of lakeside beach lodges are closed second half of January
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in January
Malawi in February
February is generally the wettest month and still the heart of the rainy season, with dramatic thunderstorms interspersed with sunny spells.
Expect some flooding and the ground to be waterlogged. The thick bush still affects game viewing on land, and walking safaris are limited, but game viewing by boat on the swollen Shire River, in both Liwonde National Park and Majete Game Reserve, is a highlight. Birdlife is also at its most spectacular at this time of year.
Visitor numbers and costs at the few open camps are low. Most of the beach lodges remain closed, with only one or two open all year.
- Peak of the rainy season with thundershowers most days
- The bush feels alive; birdlife is at its most spectacular
- Good for photography but poor game viewing
- Few tourists, so rates usually at their lowest
- Majority of lakeside beach lodges are still closed
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in February
Malawi in March
The rainy season is nearing the end in Malawi. The thunderstorms become fewer with sunnier days, but you can still expect some rain most days. March is one of the last of the summer months with temperatures still around 25–30ºC most days.
On safari the thick bush still restricts game viewing and walking safaris are limited too, with the larger animal species being quite elusive. On the plus side, migrant birds make the most of the abundant insect life. This time of the year is also great for keen photographers with the vivid green landscape and clear, dust-free air.
The beach lodges are also starting to open again around mid-March, following the rainy season.
- Expect to experience some rain most days
- The bush feels alive, with birdlife still a highlight
- Good for photography but game viewing remains poor
- With few tourists, rates generally at their lowest
- Beach lodges now open from mid-March
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Malawi in April
April is a month of change in Malawi. The days start to cool down, rainfall decreases, and summer turns into autumn as the dry season approaches. Temperatures drop to around 25 ºC during the day with the evenings becoming cooler.
This is the tail-end of the green season and, after five months of rain, the landscape remains green and lush, with game viewing still a challenge. However, the birdlife is still great, and the improving weather attracts more visitors to both the bush and the beaches along the Malawi lakeshore.
- The temperatures are cooling down but still expect the odd rain shower
- Start of the dry season with mostly clear and sunny days
- Bush still green & lush: good for photography but not for game viewing
- Very few visitors, and still one of the cheapest times to visit
- The lakeshore beach lodges are now all open
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in April
Malawi in May
May is the end of summer and the first month of the dry season. There may still be the occasional shower, but clear sunny skies are becoming the norm. As winter approaches, daytime temperatures drop to a comfortable 20–25 ºC, but at night they’re down to around 10ºC, so warm clothing is advisable for early- morning game drives.
As the rain disappears the landscape starts to dry out. Although the vegetation is still thick, the game viewing starts to improve and walking safaris becoming more reliable. Birding is still excellent, too. Around the lakeshore, temperatures can be significantly warmer, making beach holidays popular at this time of the year. Yet visitor numbers remain low, making May one of the most cost-effective times to visit.
- Start of the dry season with mostly clear & sunny days
- Temperatures are mild along the lakeshore so good for a beach stay
- Bush still green & lush but game viewing improving
- Good for photography & great birdlife
- Very few visitors, & still one of the cheapest times to visit
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
Malawi in June
June is entirely in the dry season, and – along with May – can also be one of the coldest months. With no rain, clear skies and temperatures dropping to around 20–25ºC during the day, the nights can be cold, reaching around 10ºC. Warm clothing is advisable for early-morning and late-afternoon game drives.
The landscape remains lush, but the bush starts to die back significantly, bringing a marked improvement in wildlife viewing. This, along with cooler temperatures, makes June ideal for walking safaris. Temperatures around the lakeshore tend to be significantly warmer, so June is another popular month for beach holidays with higher visitor numbers.
- Well into the dry season with sunny days & cool temperatures
- Thick bush is dying back, & game viewing improves
- Increased visibility & cool weather perfect for walking safaris
- Mild temperatures along the lakeshore: good for a beach stay
- June is still low season : a popular time before high season starts
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in June
Malawi in July
July is the middle of the dry season in Malawi, with temperatures starting to pick up towards the end of the month. This makes July a good time for both safaris and beach holidays. Expect it to be pleasant during the day but still cold at night, especially at high altitude such as Nyika Plateau; blankets and hot water bottles are often provided on safari.
As the vegetation dies back, animals start to congregate around perennial water sources, making this one of the best times of year for game viewing.
July is also the start of high season and all the camps increase their rates to make the most of the improving game and the start of the international holiday period.
- Warm dry days with crisp cold nights
- Significantly improved game viewing
- No limit on walking safaris, with pleasant temperatures a plus
- Temperatures along the lakeshore ideal for beach and watersports
- Approaching peak season, so significant increase in costs
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in July
Malawi in August
August is well into the dry season with game concentrated around water sources and the safari season approaching its best. The landscape is changing from green to brown and the air is becoming drier and dustier. There is also a lot of smoke in the air as burning of trees and vegetation is prevalent in Malawi, so this isn’t the best time for photography.
Later in August the temperatures start to pick up, but early mornings and late evenings are still cooler – particularly out on open game drives where warm jackets, gloves and scarves are recommended. August is one of the most popular months. Pleasant weather and good game viewing attracts lots of visitors, and costs are correspondingly high.
- Warm dry days with crisp cold nights still the norm
- Game viewing at its best
- No limits on walking safaris, with pleasant temperatures a bonus
- Lakeshore temperatures remain good for beach and water sports
- Still peak season, with attendant high costs
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Malawi in September
This is the most popular time of the year for a safari. There has been no rain for months and temperatures are starting to increase, making morning and evening game drives more comfortable. Daytime temperatures are now above 30ºC and evening temperatures relatively mild.
Game viewing is at its best with the animals concentrating around the reducing water sources, making wildlife interactions more common. With the increasing heat the air becomes more hazy, reducing photographic opportunities and distant views.
This is a good time to finish a safari with some relaxing time along the Malawi lakeshore. Costs, though, are high, and camps can be booked up months in advance.
- Dry & hot during the day with clear skies & warm nights
- One of the best months for wildlife viewing
- Dust & smoke creates a haze; not great for photography
- Temperatures along the lakeshore perfect for beach and watersports
- Peak season; camps are expensive & often full well in advance
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Malawi in October
This is the last month of the dry season: the start of summer with temperatures peaking over 40ºC during the day and hardly less than 20ºC at night. This makes early-morning and late-evening game drives more comfortable but can be terribly hot during the day and makes walking safaris very challenging.
The landscape is very dry and brown, so not ideal for photography, but game viewing remains at its best. With the lack of water the animals are all vying for the best spot to drink without being preyed upon.
October is the perfect time to finish a safari with some relaxing time along the Malawi lakeshore. It is still peak season, though, and costs remain high.
- Dry, hot days with clear skies; warm nights
- One of the best months for wildlife viewing
- The haze from dust & smoke is not great for photography
- Warm lakeshore temperatures still good for beach & watersports
- Peak season; camps are expensive & often full well in advance
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Malawi in November
November marks the end of the dry season and the start of the rainy season. Temperatures continue to increase with humidity building as the rains approach, which can be any time during the month. Be prepared for spectacular thunderstorms and short sharp showers.
After the first rains the bush springs back to life and wildlife disperses, making game viewing harder. Birding, though, is on the up – and with the air washed clean, photographic opportunities improve.
The first week or two are a good time to travel as the camps have reduced their rates and rains may not have started in earnest. However, while all the camps and beach lodges remain open some of the airstrips may become waterlogged, making road transfers more practical.
- Typically the start of the wet season; very hot & humid
- Increased chance of heavy rain as the month progresses
- Greatly diminished game viewing once the rains arrive
- A good time for photographers & keen birders
- Lower rates at camps and beach lodges, with fewer visitors
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Malawi in December
December is the first full month of the rainy season, with daily thundershowers expected, interspersed with sunny spells. Temperatures are around 30ºC with high humidity.
After a few weeks of rain, the abundance of standing water causes animals to disperse and the bush becomes thicker and greener, reducing visibility for game viewing. Conversely, this is when many animals produce their young, and is a great time for birdwatching. The rain also clears the air of dust and smoke, making it much more favourable for keen photographers.
December is still a good month to be along the lakeshore provided you don’t mind the afternoon rain showers.
- Very hot & humid
- Increased chance of heavy rain as the month progresses
- Opportunities for game viewing decrease with the arrival of the rains
- A great time for photographers & keen birders
- Rates at camps & beach lodges fall, as do visitor numbers
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in December
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