A luxury eco-lodge nestled deep amongst the breath-taking Miombo woodlands of the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. Traverse the snaking Bua River on a canoeing adventure. Trek through the rugged bush with an expert guide, whilst taking in the break-taking views over the Bua river. Relax in your suite’s hand-built sunken bath before enjoying a meal under the starlit African sky. Adventure or relaxation – whatever your desire, it’s waiting for you in the wilderness.
Tongole Wilderness Lodge
Would you like to share your experience with us? Vote
slide 3 of 2
slide 1 to 2 of 2
All you need to know
Intro
Highlights
With just 4 riverside suites and being the only luxury lodge in the 1,800 square kilometre Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Tongole offers an unrivalled wilderness experience and complete tranquillity. Activities are flexible, allowing guests to be as adventurous or relaxed as they wish and service is attentive yet unobtrusive.
Need To Know
Tongole Wilderness Lodge is dedicated to operating the business in the most sustainable way possible and with a commitment to making a positive impact to the surrounding communities. The lodge provides significant training and employment opportunities in a very poor region of the country.
Safaris
The main focus is on low environmental impact (non-motorised) river based and walking safari activities, which enable guests to fully appreciate the tranquillity of this wilderness area.
Our most popular Safari is certainly our river safari's. Guests enjoy a paddle in a canoe along the Bua River before enjoying a sundowner at a beautiful part of the river. Perfect for viewing many birds & wildlife and occasionally elephants! On foot, beautiful nature walks or longer and more strenuous hikes can be enjoyed in the reserve, accompanied by a qualified guide and scout. Cold drinks can be enjoyed along the way and breakfast/lunch or dinner can be enjoyed upon returning to the main Lodge.
Wildlife
Home to a vast array of mammals: elephants, monkeys, bush buck, water buck, wart hogs and an astonishing count of bird species (at present 280 have been identified). The reserve is genuinely a hidden gem for those seeking a wilderness experience in a truly unspoilt environment. Leopard, lion, hyena and buffalo are also found within the reserve, but in small numbers and due to its size and genuine wilderness are very rarely seen.
Quick Facts
Region
Africa
Property Type
Safari Lodge (less than 20 rooms)
Average Stay
3-4 nights
Average Price
International Rates (2019):
Low Season (1 January - 30 June, 1 November - 31 December) - $385 USD pppn High Season (1 July - 31 October) - $455 USD pppn
Malawi resident rates and special offers available on request.
** Single Travelers **
We are pleased to announce we do not apply a single supplement to the first single room on a booking.
Child Policy
Children 12yrs and older, are welcome at full adult rate.
Children aged 6-12 years are welcome in the family suite at 50% full adult rate (if sharing a room - single chld room at full adult rate).
Children aged 6-16 years sharing a riverside suite as a third person pay 50% full lodge rate.
Younger Children can be accepted when reserving the entire lodge.
Note: responsibility to look after children under 12 years will be by the parents. Some activities are not suitable for younger children.
Accommodation
3 riverside suites (double or twin) and a family suite. The luxurious, open-fronted rooms, situated on the banks of the Bua River, blend in perfectly with the unique natural setting.
The rooms are built from the same red earth, rock and thatch upon which Tongole stands and incorporate the very best of local Malawian culture. Each enjoys panoramic views over the river and wilderness, offering a cool and breezy haven during the heat of the day. They possess sumptuous, super-king sized double beds, or twin beds that can also be joined seamlessly together to form a super-king.
Rooms are supplied with 240v power and hot running water at all times and benefit from a shower, twin marble basins, flush-loo and a large hand-built sunken bath - doubling as a mini plunge-pool ‘with a view’ during the day. Spectacular raised wooden decks afford a tranquil and private space to relax and watch the river and forest wildlife go by.
The luxurious family suite is ideal for families or small groups travelling together. It comprises two separate chalets with a spacious interconnecting deck, overlooking the river. One chalet has a super-king size double bed, the other a twin/double and a spacious lounge that can be converted into a third bedroom, if required.
Accolades
Winner of Best Ecologically Responsible Property, Best Community Focused Property and Best Value Safari Property in Africa in 2018. Best Safari Guiding Team and Best Walking Safari in Malawi in 2017.
Season
Year round
Region
Africa
Property Type
Safari Lodge (less than 20 rooms)
Best Safari Property Location
Malawi… remote peaceful but absolutely beautiful
SC from United Kingdom
08-04-2025 @ 4:45pm
Best Safari Guiding Team
Brilliant and knowledgeable guides
SC from United Kingdom
08-04-2025 @ 4:45pm
Best Community Focused Safari Property
Supports building and repairing schools. Employs local people
SC from United Kingdom
08-04-2025 @ 4:45pm
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property
Cares 100% Ecologically
SC from United Kingdom
08-04-2025 @ 4:45pm
Best Value Safari Property
Very fair pricing for all this wonderful lodge offers
SC from United Kingdom
08-04-2025 @ 4:45pm
Best Safari Property Location
Good gamedrive vehicles
A from Malawi
02-04-2025 @ 6:25am
Best Safari Guiding Team
Great tourguids
A from Malawi
02-04-2025 @ 6:25am
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property
They use furniture s made from natural wood
A from Malawi
02-04-2025 @ 6:25am
Best Value Safari Property
Tongole Wilderness Retreat
11-03-2024 @ 12:17pm
Best Value Safari Property
R
01-03-2024 @ 8:32pm
Best Value Safari Property
The accommodation in tongole cannot be compared with any other
01-03-2024 @ 6:38pm
Best Community Focused Safari Property
Tongole is the leading safari property in community involvement by giving employment within the community
01-03-2024 @ 6:38pm
Most Romantic Safari Property
Had my honeymoon there and it was perfect. I had a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
01-03-2024 @ 9:09am
Best Community Focused Safari Property
I was inspired by how the lodge contributes to the nearby communities that surround it, especially the schools. Very impressive and motivational.
01-03-2024 @ 9:09am
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property
Very eco friendly, from the design of the lodge itself and the materials used.
01-03-2024 @ 9:09am
Best Value Safari Property
The ambience , the rooms, the privacy, the nature, the food, the staff, everything about it was amazing.
01-03-2024 @ 9:09am
Best Value Safari Property
Very good space for good rest vacation
29-02-2024 @ 7:30pm
Most Romantic Safari Property
I
29-02-2024 @ 4:37pm
Best Value Safari Property
Tongole wilderness lodge
29-02-2024 @ 2:22pm
Best Value Safari Property
Great hospitality, amazing food & great set up!
V
27-02-2024 @ 11:31am
Best Safari Spa
No spa
25-01-2024 @ 11:59am
Best Walking Safari Experience
Walks through wilderness and nature
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Best Safari Property Location
Beautiful calm location
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Most Romantic Safari Property
Wonderful for couples
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Best Safari Guiding Team
Very knowledgeable guides
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Best Safari Cuisine
Best food ever, fantastic chefs
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Best Community Focused Safari Property
Supports the local community
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property
Cares for the environment
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Best Value Safari Property
Absolutely beautiful lodge
25-01-2024 @ 11:39am
Best Value Safari Property
Definitely 5 stars
25-01-2024 @ 7:19am
Best Community Focused Safari Property
The owners and team work with local schools and the community to fund a better working environment for education. Seen in action with the locals singing for the Tongole Foundation.
24-01-2024 @ 8:41pm
Most Romantic Safari Property
Idea for honey moon as it is remote and has romantic bathtabs etc
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:15pm
Best Safari Guiding Team
The guiding team works as a team indeed. 6 people can canoe guests up the river while spotting birds and other wildlife. Best spotters who will see everything before guests.
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:14pm
Best Walking Safari Experience
The best place to do morning and evening walks. Guides are extremely knowledgeable. Best walking and hiking trails
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:13pm
Best Safari Cuisine
Food is just yummy throughout
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:11pm
Best Community Focused Safari Property
The Tongole foundation is doing a great job in helping local community. They have built schools etc which is great
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:10pm
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property
The lodge considers how to look after the environment. There is no pollution at all.
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:09pm
Best Value Safari Property
You realise why you paid the amount they charge after receiving the service offered and their best food
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:08pm
Best Safari Property Design
It was designed as a tree house which is what you need if you are to visit a wilderness lodge
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:07pm
Best Safari Property Location
Blends in well with the surrounding
ES
21-06-2020 @ 5:06pm
Most Romantic Safari Property
Romantic setting, small & personal.
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:28am
Best Safari Guiding Team
I can’t praise Emmanuel and the team enough! Friendly, polite & so very interesting! I’ve made friends for life!
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:27am
Best Walking Safari Experience
Emmanuel and Aran take you on a journey, with beautiful views, the chance to see wildlife & with lots of interesting facts!
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:26am
Best Safari Cuisine
Simple as this, best food in Malawi!!
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:24am
Best Community Focused Safari Property
The Tongole Foundation is a project that has done incredibly well. From supporting & renovating 3 schools by volunteers, chicken projects, football & netball donations to building a new school, the foundation h
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:23am
Best Ecologically Responsible Safari Property
Same as previous question.
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:22am
Best Value Safari Property
Worth every penny! Tongole is a 4* rated lodged (which should be 5* in my opinion) who should be charging more compared to other lodges I have stayed at. Tongole is a non profit lodge, with all profits going in
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:20am
Best Safari Property Design
The main lodge is breathtaking, with a huge thatched roof & a beautifully designed spiral staircase which leads to the “upper deck†which looks over the river. Perfect for having breakfast, lunch & dinner!
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:18am
Best Safari Property Location
An incredible drive through Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve with sightings of African wildlife along the way, which included, for us, elephants, bush buck, water buck, a range of small & large birds & even bush pig
LM
12-06-2020 @ 9:16am