Accommodation & Activities

Accommodation options

Fish Heaven Ecolodge is a quiet, peaceful lakeside lodge offering comfortable accommodation, bar and restaurant with beautiful views, and memorable outdoor experiences. Guests can enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, diving, and sunset cruises, or simply relax in the garden and watch the sun go down by the gazebo. The lodge has Thirteen rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a range of accommodation options suitable for couples, families, groups, and solo guests. All rates include VAT (17.5% ) and Tourism Levy (1%).

Accommodation includes a continental breakfast. All payments by foreign visitors are made in foreign currency, while Malawi residents can pay in Malawi Kwacha. Receipts will be given to clients on paper, until the newly-introduced Malawi Tourism electronic EIS machines are implemented.  

This fine building with well-furnished interiors - overlooks the lake and can accommodate a total of 19 people: 4 double rooms, 2 single rooms with 2 single beds and a family room with 2 double beds, two single beds and a 2 single-bed bunk: each room has its own shower and toilet. 

A family room with a double bed and a 2 single-bed bunk, with its own shower and toilet - overlooks the lake.

Budget accommodation with simple furnishings at the rear of the property can accommodate up to 13 people in 4 rooms with shared showers and toilets.

Restaurant and Refreshments Centre

Visitors and guests are welcome to enjoy the menu which includes local fish, meat, vegetables and gluten-free products. The refreshments available include a variety of soft drinks, beer, white and red wine, Malawi gin & tonic, whisky and Amarula. Payment is made directly to the Hospitality Coordinator.   

Activities

Besides relaxation, guests can enjoy a variety of activities. These include snorkelling, diving (for certified divers), kayaking, hiking and bird-watching, sunset cruises, HEEED handicrafts, as well as sharing with  50 youngsters enjoying Week-end Fun on Saturdays and Sundays at the nearby NYCOM-HEEED Centre.

Bookings and enquiries:

Helpful Tips

Transport. HEEED can arrange a private taxi from Lilongwe airport to Chembe. Volunteers can also opt for public transport: a bus from the airport to Lilongwe bus station costs about US$ 5; and a bus from Lilongwe to Monkey Bay (18 km from Chembe) costs about US$ 22. There are a number of Chembe “mo-ped taxis” (matolas) that ply between Chembe and Monkey Bay for around US$ 3.

Laundry. Clean sheets and pillow cases are provided weekly. Volunteers are expected to take care of their own personal laundry, although it can be provided as an extra service upon request.

Meals. Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, allergies etc.) can be accommodated. Breakfast is served from 7am, lunch from 12 pm and dinner around 6pm.

Telephone & Internet. Volunteers bringing cell phones and lap-tops can buy TNM or Airtel SIM cards for less than US$ 1. Credit bundles can be topped up with weekly or monthly vouchers in the village.

Cash. Either US dollars can be exchanged or Malawian Kwachas can be withdrawn from ATMs at the airport and in Monkey Bay or Mangochi. Volunteers are expected to bring US dollars to pay the visa fee at Lilongwe aiport.

Leisure Activities. Volunteers can engage in hiking, biking, kayaking, going on boat trips and sunset cruise, as well as snorkelling and scuba diving, to discover the myriad wonders of Lake Malawi National Park. All activities organized by Scuba Shack Diving can be offered to HEEED Volunteers at reduced rates.

Health and Travel Insurance. HEEED Volunteers are expected to provide their own health and travel insurance for the duration of their stay with HEEED. The local Chembe Billy Riordan Health Clinic can assist in emergencies and we also recommend that HEEED Volunteers take an anti-malarial prophylactic.