Facilities
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The Retreat has been designed to blend and keep in harmony with the surrounding natural beauty. The public areas are open to the gardens and beach with amazing vistas across calm blue waters of Lake Malawi. Within easy reach of your villa or room, The Makokola Retreat offers various options to make you feel at home.
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The Makokola Retreat redefines the spa experience, providing total escapism that paradoxically encourages healing to arise from deep within the self. The nurturing and personal care at The Lake Spa ensure a renewing experience that honors ancient traditions, while commemorating African nature.
Five treatment rooms are hidden in our lush gardens; each featuring a handcrafted roof and décor exquisitely accented with natural tropical woods, reflecting an African design.
In celebration of the African culture, very unique signature treatments using indigenous plant ingredients have been created. Massage techniques, facial and body works from all over the world are combined with ancient African holistic practices to create a truly unique Malawian experience.
Therapists use the healing essence of some of Africa’s indigenous plants and focus on capturing these special properties for a therapeutic experience on the body and face. From Baobab facials, Kigelia Africana wraps to Marula full body massages and more. And all is done with that special personal touch.
Nothing is hurried at the Lake Spa. Relax, lie back and be pampered!
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Dining at the Retreat is an eclectic experience. Guests can savour fine Mediterranean cuisine, celebrate the tastes of Malawi or feast on Italian specialties in our casual restaurant and bar. A highlight to the Retreat is the use of local ingredients, grown by the local community on the property. Our natural settings will inspire you …claim a lakeside table, swim to the poolside bar, join us on a theme night or sit on a torchlit terrace by the beach for an unforgettable meal.
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Mlambe means baobab in the native language. Located alongside the Retreat, the course offers nine holes of par three golf in a unique African setting which golfers will find as challenging as it is beautiful.
The course is sculptured around natural topography, with water streams positioned as visual extensions of a small lagoon and a perfect blend with giant baobab trees and sand.
Mlambe is known for its special African ambience. The vegetation is indigenous, some varieties which are hundreds of years old. Beautiful birds such as malachite kingfishers, lilac breasted rollers, gray herons, and fish eagles can be glimpsed while playing.
You can also enjoy playing bowls at our flood lit bowling green next to the Club House.
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A cruise on the M.V. Sunbird is a special way to experience Lake Malawi and a wonderful complement to your stay at The Makokola.
This 24 meter long cruiser boasts all the amenities needed for pleasant excursions on the lake or into Liwonde National Park. The boat has three cabins, two separate toilets and a fully fitted kitchen. Bar facilities, a sun deck and a comfortable lounge complete home away from home on Lake Malawi.
Day charters are available to Cape Maclear, Monkey Bay and Mangochi Town. Half day charters are available to Boadzulu Island and fishing villages near the Retreat.
The maximum capacity for M.V. Sunbird is twenty people on day excursions and eight passengers can sleep comfortably during longer trips.