The Makokola Retreat
CEDARBERG RATING
Premier
Overview
The Makokola Retreat is one of the best-known Lake Malawi hotels. It lies on the southern lake shore near Mangochi. The hotel is spaciously laid out in 10 acres of well-tended gardens. But it is the private beach that will draw your attention. The vast expanse of pale sand (600 metres) is dotted with low palms, thatched sunshades and sun loungers with padded cushions.
Most rooms face the warm Lake Malawi, which looks like a sea but has no tide or salty water. There are a range of rooms to choose from including the Chiefs Villa, 9 lake villas, 26 beach rooms and 12 garden rooms.Β They have locally sourced wooden beams, hand-crafted furniture and traditional artwork. However they are also open and spacious with a contemporary Africa style.
The lake villas have a hand-carved king-sized bed, full bathroom, separate sitting area, locally embroidered bed linen, fan & a private veranda. The beach rooms have similar facilities but are smaller. All have beach front or garden views. The Family beach rooms have two bedrooms sharing one bathroom.
Activities at theΒ Makokola Retreat
The Makokola Retreat is perfect for water-sports such as sailing and windsurfing. Diving and snorkelling are possible at a stunning little offshore island, where tropical fish abound beneath the surface and fish eagles are ever present above it.
The lodge has an enormous swimming pool – 44 metres by 16 metres wide. You can get some serious exercise in this pool! Alternatively you can just paddle up to the pool bar for some cocktails and ice cold beer.
Optional water-sports include snorkelling, para-sailing, water-skiing, wake-boarding, knee-boarding, sailing, tubing, para-sailing and boat cruises. All at extra cost. There are plenty of land activities as weel. Choose from golf, the Lake Spa, bowls, floodlit tennis, squash & beach volleyball.
At A Glance
Recommended for families
Garden
Swimming pool
Restaurants
Rural location
Sea views
Spa
Tropical Beach
Water Sports
Wifi on premises
In Pictures
The Makokola Retreat on the map
Rooms
Sunset Villa
Comprising of two levels; the bedroom is located on the top floor and boasts a large open floorplan with a King Size bed, walk-in closet, large shower, double sinks, and bathtub. Guests can enjoy spectacular lake views from the top floor balcony while floating in one of the egg-nest chairs with a cup of coffee. The bottom level boasts a big living room area & an outside deck-dining area with your very own private infinity pool that surrounds the room on both sides. Additional room features include electronic safe, flat screen TV, living room & deck area as well as an in-room bar area, ceiling fan & AC. Sunset Villa family block booking option available upon request for families with kids aged 5 years & older - kids must be able to sleep on their own in one of the two separate room next to the Sunset Villa. Sunset Villa guests also have exclusive access to the lake suites resident pool and bar area. Private breakfast, lunch, or dinner service on the deck of the Sunset Villa is available upon request.
Lake Suites
This section is strictly an adult only area- no bookings with kids under 12 years, that allows for the perfect couples retreat to relax and unwind. Residents have exclusive access to the lake suite infinity pool and El Chiringuito Bar area (non-cash bar; only room charge) for lake suite guests only. The section also hosts the hotel gym that is accessible to all hotel guests. Each of these rooms boasts a double bed with en-suite bathrooms. Top rooms have a shower only and bottom rooms have bathtub and a shower. One of these lake suite rooms has twin beds & is located next to Sunset Villa β allowing for the Sunset Villa Family booking option. Additional room features include electronic safe, flat screen TV, mini-fridge, ceiling fans & AC in all lake suite rooms along with private terrace/balcony area with spectacular views over Lake Malawi.
Superior Beach Rooms
ll superior rooms have thatch roofs with beach and partial lake views along with a lovely terrace to sit on and enjoy a cup of Malawi coffee or a Malawi Gin & Tonic. Additional superior room features include flat-screen TV in the main bedroom, ceiling fan, AC, mini-fridge & electronic safe. There are a total of 4 superior beach family rooms that comprises of two separate bedrooms: one with a double bed & the other with two twin beds. The family rooms have a sharing bathroom with both a shower & bathtub for guests to enjoy. Then there are an additional 10 superior beach rooms which all have a double bed, en-suite bathroom with double sinks and a shower only. Eight of the superior beach rooms offer a small living room area with a sofa that can be made for toddlers to sleep on (size dependant β usually up to age of 10 years) and the room can also accommodate a baby-cot for kids aged 3 years and below.
