Reviews of Chelinda Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
3 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Chelinda Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr & Mrs A
Surrey
"Cooling off at Chelinda Lodge"
3 nights Arrived 9 Oct 2019
"A delightful flight to the lodge, with great views of the Nyika Plateau.
The wooden chalets were wonderfully rustic, with a balcony looking out over the plains and a log fire that was lit every evening. Hot water bottles were put into the beds each evening.
The main lodge building was very cosy, again with great views over the plains and warming log fires most of the day.
Management and staff were excellent and very attentive. The lodge was quiet, and we were the only guests for one night of our stay.
Food was good and imaginative and it was great that dining was at a communal table with other guests and the managers. This was not offered at all of our camps. It was a great opportunity to swap stories.
Daytime temperatures were mostly hot, but the evenings did cool off. We had one day of thick mist and abandoned the idea of a walk so that we could take a drive to a lower elevation which the cloud base was not covering.
Guiding was excellent, with game drives finding many antelope and zebras and some bird life. Only escorted walks were permitted during our stay, as there was a lion in the area, although we did not see it. We had an excellent walk across the plateau, getting reasonably close to the wildlife. Guests should be made aware that their legs will become marked with black charcoal on walks where the vegetation has been burnt. Gaiters could be useful.
We were delayed for 4.5hours in flying out, due to the low cloud base. The pilot had arrived the previous afternoon and joined us for the evening game drive. Flights are often delayed at Chelinda due to the weather, so care should be taken if International flights are the same day. The Lodge made a point of not clearing the chalet until they knew that the flight had departed, in case we needed to stay another night.
Wildlife seen: Zebra, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Warthog, Leopard, Hyena, Common Duiker, Eland, Roan Antelope" See all these reviews: 16n in Malawi
The wooden chalets were wonderfully rustic, with a balcony looking out over the plains and a log fire that was lit every evening. Hot water bottles were put into the beds each evening.
The main lodge building was very cosy, again with great views over the plains and warming log fires most of the day.
Management and staff were excellent and very attentive. The lodge was quiet, and we were the only guests for one night of our stay.
Food was good and imaginative and it was great that dining was at a communal table with other guests and the managers. This was not offered at all of our camps. It was a great opportunity to swap stories.
Daytime temperatures were mostly hot, but the evenings did cool off. We had one day of thick mist and abandoned the idea of a walk so that we could take a drive to a lower elevation which the cloud base was not covering.
Guiding was excellent, with game drives finding many antelope and zebras and some bird life. Only escorted walks were permitted during our stay, as there was a lion in the area, although we did not see it. We had an excellent walk across the plateau, getting reasonably close to the wildlife. Guests should be made aware that their legs will become marked with black charcoal on walks where the vegetation has been burnt. Gaiters could be useful.
We were delayed for 4.5hours in flying out, due to the low cloud base. The pilot had arrived the previous afternoon and joined us for the evening game drive. Flights are often delayed at Chelinda due to the weather, so care should be taken if International flights are the same day. The Lodge made a point of not clearing the chalet until they knew that the flight had departed, in case we needed to stay another night.
Wildlife seen: Zebra, Bushbuck, Reedbuck, Warthog, Leopard, Hyena, Common Duiker, Eland, Roan Antelope" See all these reviews: 16n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr R
Torquay
"A high quality lodge"
2 nights Arrived 18 Oct 2016
"We were the only guests here but the lodge was marvellous and the hot water bottles most welcome!"
See all these reviews: 10n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms M & Mr G
Scotland
"Chelinda Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 9 May 2016
"Chelinda sits in an amazing undulating spread out wilderness. Animals graze around the facilities.
The log cabin we stayed in was cute, quaint & lovely. Log fire on in the evening. Great facilities, food & reception from staff." See all these reviews: 7n in Malawi
The log cabin we stayed in was cute, quaint & lovely. Log fire on in the evening. Great facilities, food & reception from staff." See all these reviews: 7n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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