The Best Accommodations in Karonga
Karonga district is one of the largest and oldest districts in the far north of Malawi.
The Songwe border post into Tanzania is located at around 40km north from main town.
Karonga was established in 1883, and remained somewhat isolated until 1981, when the surfaced M1 was extended far north, and it enjoys significant economic benefits when the first bridge across the Songwe River on the Tanzanian border was constructed in 1988.
Historically, Karonga was known for its slave trading industry in the nineteenth century.
It also has the proud title of Malawi’s ‘fossil district’, with well-preserved remains of dinosaurs and ancient humans.
Its most famous discovery is the Malawisaurus (Malawi Lizard), a 120-million-year-old fossilised dinosaur skeleton found 45km south of Karonga.
A fragment of humanoid jawbone roughly 2.4 million years old was also discovered near Uraha village in Karonga in 1991.
The main tourist attraction is the Cultural & Museum Centre, which focuses on the region’s fascinating history and prehistory.
Karonga offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels with great security and service, to clean, affordable guesthouses.
Here is a selection of lodges in Karonga by budget.
Cheap Accommodations Under USD30
1. Kapata Lodge
| Name | Kapata Lodge |
|---|---|
| Location | Near the Cultural & Museum Centre Karonga (CMCK) |
| Phone | +265 (0) 999 283 888, +265 (0) 881 906 504, +265 (0) 1 382 376 |
| fastonkapata3@gmail.com |
Kapata Lodge is a five-minute walk from The Cultural & Museum Centre Karonga (CMCK), famous for its life-size replica skeleton of the Malawisaurus (Malawi Lizards).
The lodge offers decent accommodation and Halal food services at affordable prices.
2. Manguzi Executive Lodge
| Name | Manguzi Executive Lodge |
|---|---|
| Location | Along St Mary’s Road, Karonga |
| Phone | +265 (0) 991 154 438 +265 (0) 881 083 157 +265 (0) 885 556 211 +265 (0) 998 538 359 |
Manguzi Executive Lodge is one of the affordable and quiet lodges within walking distance to the beach in Karonga.
The restaurant serves international cuisine as well as Malawian specialities such as nsima and chambo fish (tilapia) from Lake Malawi.
Conference facilities are also available.
3. Floja Foundation Nursery & Camping
| Name | Floja Foundation Nursery & Camping |
|---|---|
| Location | Ngara, Karonga |
| Phone | +265 (0) 884 333 023 |
Floja Malawi is a small but unique campsite located in Ngala, on the stunning shores of Lake Malawi in Karonga.
The campsite is only 20 metres from Lake Malawi, allowing you to be in the middle of nature.
There is no restaurant, so you will need to prepare your own meals.
The campsite also has a bar where you can buy a variety of drinks and refreshment facilities such as braai, cold water showers and hot springs.
You can also explore the local fishing village or swim in Lake Malawi.
All profits from the camp are spent on a day care (pre-school) project for 90 vulnerable children.
If you are looking for a campsite on the shores of Lake Malawi, look no further than Floja Foundation Nursery & Camping.
