Getting Here

From the north, head south on the M5 from Lilongwe. After about three hours, you’ll reach Mangochi. Turn left onto the D30 road toward Monkey Bay—it’s a smooth forty-minute drive through villages and baobab trees.

From the south, drive north from Blantyre on the M3 for around four hours to Mangochi. Then take the D30 north to Monkey Bay, same as above. Easy route, watch for speed bumps though.

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To the right is the classic old steamer, M/V Ilala, that’s been chugging up and down Lake Malawi since the fifties. It’s a proper adventure: leaves Monkey Bay every Friday morning around eight, heads north stopping at places like Nkhotakota, then hits Likoma Island Saturday mid-morning for a few hours, before pushing on to Nkhata Bay and up to Chilumba. Comes back south starting Monday night from the north, hitting Likoma again Tuesday. Super scenic, great for island-hopping, but it’s famous for running late—sometimes hours or even a day—because of loading cargo and weather. Cabins are basic but comfy if you book upper deck, or you can go cheap on deck with the locals. Perfect way to get from The Zebra Lodge area over to Likoma if you’re not in a rush.