The Best Accommodations in Senga Bay and Salima
Salima is an important service and trading centre which lies 110km east and is about one and a half minutes’ drive from Lilongwe.
To the East of Salima town is Senga Bay which is the closest Lake Malawi resort from Lilongwe.
Senga Bay is often referred to as Salima, the nearest town and the administrative district in which it lies.
The town has become a popular weekend retreat and conference venue for residents of Lilongwe.
For those with private transport, the private Kuti Wildlife Reserve on the outskirts of Salima is worth a visit, as is the nearby Thuma Forest Reserve.
Further south, Mua Mission offers fascinating insights into the cultures and tribes of the central region, and it is easily visited as a day trip from Senga Bay.
The town has a broad stretch of sandy beaches and is host to a range of hotels, extending from luxurious to small lodges and campsites.
Here are some of the best accommodations in Salima by budget.
Luxury Accommodations Above USD100
1. Blue Zebra Island Lodge
| Name | Blue Zebra Island Lodge |
|---|---|
| Location | Nankoma Island, Senga Bay |
| Phone | +265 (0) 992 244 244 |
| info@bluezebra.mw |
Blue Zebra Island Lodge is an exclusively remote retreat located on Nankoma Island in the Marelli Archipelago within Lake Malawi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This beautiful island paradise is a 20-minute boat ride from Senga Bay.
Accommodation comprises of spacious luxury tented chalets on the lakeside and safari chalets on the hillside overlooking the lodge and lake.
Imagine waking up to the sounds of nature, from the lightly breaking waves of Lake Malawi to the chirping of birds.
Lake Malawi is known for its abundance of colourful and rare freshwater fish and it also offers snorkelling, diving and other water activities such as kayaking, wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing.
There are also boat trips around the beautiful archipelago and lakes, sunset cruises with the Nkhotakota Hills on the horizon and relaxing massages.
Spend a perfect holiday combining adventure and relaxation in a tranquil and private paradise.
2. Sunbird Livingstonia
| Name | Sunbird Livingstonia |
|---|---|
| Location | Senga Bay, Salima |
| Phone | +265 (0) 1 263 222 |
| livingstonia@sunbirdmalawi.com |
Sunbird Livingstonia is located in Senga Bay, Salima, which is a popular beach resort closest to Lilongwe (two-hour drive).
With an open-air Terrace Restaurant, beautifully landscaped gardens and a 1km stretch of golden beach, this luxury hotel is also one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for Malawians.
You can snorkel in the crystal clear lake, or explore a wide range of thrilling water activities such as boat rides, jet skiing and banana boating.
Overlooking the hotel’s scenic beach, the open-air Terrace Restaurant offers an extensive selection of local and international cuisine, including fresh lake fish dishes.
Enjoy the lakeside breeze and delicious cuisines in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere.
3. Sunbird Waterfront
| Name | Sunbird Waterfront |
|---|---|
| Location | Senga Bay, Salima |
| Phone | +265 (0) 1 263 222 |
| waterfront@sunbirdmalawi.com |
Malawi’s leading hotel chain, Sunbird Hotels & Resorts, opened its ninth property, Sunbird Waterfront, on the lakeshore of Salima in central Malawi in 2021.
On the banks of Lake Malawi, is Sunbird’s premier beach resort which provides an unrivaled luxury experience.
Sunbird Waterfront is adjacent to Sunbird Livingstonia Beach.
Sunbird Waterfront has a total of 42 rooms, 10 suites, 4 family rooms, 2 disabled rooms and 26 deluxe rooms -all of which face the beach and offer the best views of the lake from the rooms.
All rooms are equipped with the latest amenities and facilities, proving that the hotel is luxurious and up to international standards.
4. Sigelege Beach Resort
| Name | Sigelege Beach Resort |
|---|---|
| Location | Senga Bay, Salima |
| Phone | +265 (0) 888 818 088 |
| sales@sigelege.com |
Located on Senga Bay in Salima, Sigelege Beach Resort is a secluded beach resort surrounded by a private white sand beach and a spectacular lake.
Whether it’s a team event, an important meeting or a romantic getaway, Sigelege Beach Resort will cater to your various needs.
The resort a total of 50 rooms in three different types of accommodation with modern interiors and contemporary touches.
The luxurious suites enjoy a prime location right on the hotel’s beach, with panoramic views over the romantic landscape of Senga Bay.
Relax on the comfortable daybeds surrounding the pool, listen to music from the resort’s sound system, enjoy signature cocktails and premium champagne at the poolside bar, or enjoy live music from an acoustic guitar artist at the bar in the evening.
The restaurant offers Malawian and international cuisine, with fresh fish from the lake and it overlooks the beautiful beach.
The bar offers a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Popular Accommodations for USD30-100
5. Safari Beach Lodge
| Name | Safari Beach Lodge |
|---|---|
| Location | Senga Bay, Salima |
| Phone | +265 (0) 993 265 538, +265 (0) 886 109 966 |
| safaribeachlodge@gmail.com |
Safari Beach Lodge is a decent lodge on the shore of Lake Malawi in Senga Bay, Salima.
The lodge has its own private beach, a swimming pool, a beautiful platform bar and a lush forest garden with views over Leopard Bay.
It also has two conference rooms which take 45 to 80 people respectively.
The conference rooms are equipped with a projector, flip chart, pens, note pads and water.
They also include the free use of unlimited high speed Wi-Fi and use generators for back up during load shedding.
Additionally, they use energy largely generated by a big 36 panel solar system.
The conference participants will be satisfied with the natural setting provided by the Senga Bay Forest Reserve.
There is also a lush garden with local wildlife, birds and spectacular views of the lake from above and a nice secluded seating area among the trees.
6. Kabumba Hotel
| Name | Kabumba Hotel |
|---|---|
| Location | Off Lifuwu Road, Senga Bay, Salima |
| Phone | +265 (0) 999 33 77 00 |
Located at the foot of Senga Hill in Salima, about 125 km from Lilongwe, Kabumba Hotel is a beach resort on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Opened in 2018, the hotel has attracted renowned music festivals such as Lake of Stars and Sand Music Festival.
The unique bar with swinging chairs offers beautiful lake views.
A swimming pool with integrated bar counter also adds to the special atmosphere of the beach resort.
Cheap Accommodations Under USD30
7. Red Zebra
| Name | Red Zebra |
|---|---|
| Location | Senga Bay, Salima |
| Phone | +265 (0) 996 707 348 |
| zikani@lakemalawi.com |
Located at Kambiri Point on Senga Bay in Salima, Red Zebra Lodge is ideal for those seeking a quiet, relaxing lakeside getaway.
This small lodge is well established and popular with local Malawians and budget travellers as well as intermediate travellers.
The lodge has six comfortably furnished en-suite rooms, a beach bar overlooking the sparkling lake and a dining area serving delicious meals.
It also opens directly onto Lake Malawi, with lush, well-kept and beautifully landscaped gardens and a romantic pier extending into the Lake.
There is also a variety of colourful cichlid farms within the lodge premises.
Even if you are not a tropical fish lover, this is a great opportunity to learn more about Lake Malawi which is home to the largest number of freshwater fish species in the world.
