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Ng’ona Lodge is an oasis in the African bush. It is in a tranquil environment on the banks of the Shire River which flows out of Lake Malawi, south to join the Zambezi River in Mozambique. The lodge is approximately 70 kilometres south west of Blantyre. Ng’ona Lodge is owned and managed by Monika Steidl, an Austrian national who has been resident in Malawi since 1992. She came to Malawi, with her late husband, Gerhard, to work with a solar engineering company. Like many other foreigners, they were welcomed, found happiness and never left.
They bought a neglected safari camp and started Ng’ona Lodge in 2010. Sadly, Gerhard succumbed to cancer in 2013. He continues to live on in the hearts of his family, many friends and staff. His flair for design and quality is visible in many details around the camp. Monika transferred her management skills, developed her natural aptitude and enthusiasm for hospitality and worked tirelessly to develop the lodge to its current high standard. She leads an experienced team of staff comprised of Lodge Manager, chefs, housekeepers, pool supervisor, gardeners, maintenance staff and even two potters. She is assisted by her husband, Ruari Maclean, who taught Art and Design in Blantyre for 33 years before retiring in 2020. He has established a small pottery studio at Ng’ona Lodge.
We are located on the western banks of the Shire River as it winds through Majete Game Reserve, only 1.5km south of the reserve. Our excellent location makes it a fantastic place to stay as well as a refreshment stop for day visitors to the park.
CAUTION: Visitors arriving by road should not rely solely on GPS. A number of guests have arrived exhausted in the dark after having been directed to take the shortest routes. Some of the routes advised by GPS have been on very difficult roads.
The only real option if coming from Lilongwe, Tete, Mulanje or Zomba is to take the main M1 road from Blantyre to Chikwawa. This is a scenic journey, dropping 933 metres down escarpments from Blantyre to the police checkpoint at Thabwa, (40 km.*). After crossing the Shire River, follow the road sign to Chikwawa and take the right turn in the busy roadside market town of Dyeratu (47.3 km.*). After turning, proceed through Chikwawa, ignoring a left turn to Chapananga, until the surfaced road ends (50.8km.*). The road then bears left and has signposts for EGENCO, Kapichira Power Station and African Parks, Majete Game Reserve. Continue until you arrive at a bridge over a major irrigation canal under construction (65.2 km.*). Follow local signs to the right for another 1.5 kilometres to reach Ng’ona Lodge.
*Distances are calculated from The Clocktower Roundabout, Blantyre, by Google Maps
