Stay Among Stories and Tea Fields
A charming colonial-era home on a historic tea estate, Huntingdon House offers warm hospitality, character-filled rooms, and a peaceful gateway to Malawi’s scenic Southern Highlands.
Huntingdon, and indeed Satemwa Estate, evokes a romantic nostalgia for Malawi's past. Huntingdon House was built in the mid-30s; by African standards, 100 years of history is seldom found. Every tea field, tree and building on this estate shares a tale and you are invited to enjoy a glimpse of a bygone era in this rapidly changing continent. When you are tired of strolling in the garden, had enough tea cocktails, are full of cake and finished that book, Satemwa is conveniently located for day trips to Majete Game Reserve in the Lower Shire Valley, Zomba Plateau, Blantyre or Mulanje are possible.
Guests are accommodated in five unique suites with superb bathrooms featuring clawed bath tubs, separate showers, bath robes, wonderful bamboo cotton blend towels and rounded off with a range of guest amenities. Each room has been individually decorated to reflect the quirks and character of this grand residence appropriately named based on their original function in the household: Mother's Room, Father's Room, The Nursery, Planters' Suite and The Chapel. The majority of rooms have king size beds with 100% cotton linen and a selection of pillows to ensure our guests enjoy a good night’s sleep. Each area of the house has a story of its own from the original children’s nursery to the resident priest's quarters and private Chapel. Guests are encouraged to share the colourful history of one of Malawi’s oldest homes while being spoilt by the team of professional staff.
One of the not-to-be-missed experiences unique to staying on a tea growing estate is, of course, tea-tasting. This is a definite for tea enthusiasts and simple occasional tea drinkers alike. Your guide will explain the full process from planting through to harvesting and production whilst titillating your taste buds with various teas, including white, green, black, oolong and other Satemwa specialties. Coffee tours, birding, mountain biking and hiking are also popular activities. Mountaineering on Mount Mulanje, Malawi’s highest peak can also be arranged; Mulanje is the third highest free-standing peak in Africa.
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When to go to Malawi
Find out the best time to visit Malawi with our month by month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
January is a good time for bird watchers, migratory birds from the Northern Hemisphere flock to Malawi's National Parks. The rains are in full flow with impressive thunderstorms lighting the sky across the country regularly - many lodges around the shores of Lake Malawi will be closed during this time.
February
Rain continues to pour regularly in February. The bird watching is incredible particularly in the high altitude Nyika National Park with many flowers blooming carpeting the lower plateaus.
March
In March the weather is still somewhat unsettled with regular rains, these diminish as the month goes on. Birders will be in paradise, young birds are spreading their wings for the first time preparing for their epic journey back to the Northern Hemisphere.
April
Rains begin to subside, the sun starts to shine and temperatures increase. Wildlife viewing is good, observers can watch animals emerge across Liwonde National Park. In particular antelopes are in rut and visitors to Malawi's National Parks can experience incredible clashes between rival males.
May
Days become sunnier and cooler during May. Wildlife viewing is at its best due to less vegetation and the animals gathering together around waterholes.
June
June days are long and sunny, but it's Malawi's winter and the temperatures drop significantly at this time of year. The evenings and mornings are very cold in the highland regions, with log fires lit. The dry season means animals congregate around the Shire River in Liwonde National Park for easier access to water and rich green vegetation - large numbers of elephants can be present at this time of year due to dwindling water levels.
July
July is a perfect time to visit Malawi, skies are clear there are less mosquitoes and there's virtually no rain. Although its high season, most of the National Parks won't be crowded despite the spectacular sightings of larger elephant herds - often reaching into the hundreds!
August
In August the weather warms, with daytime peak temperatures averaging around 30°C, whilst night time averages rise to 10°C. If you want to experience large wildlife herds, this is the time of year to visit. Water is diminishing and spaces at watering holes are becoming limited leading to increasing tensions between the animals. It's an amazing time to enjoy the delights of Lake Malawi's azure waters, with temperatures perfect for watersports or relaxing in the sun lakeside.
September
Night time temperatures rise rapidly, whilst daytime averages remain in the mid 20°Cs. With clear skies and dry vegetation concentrations of animals are still great but starting to dwindle in comparison to July and August. Lake Malawi is popular this time of year, the increased wind conditions make it perfect for an afternoon sail.
October
October is a humid month, temperatures regularly rise above 40°C and night times are increasingly warm. If you want to witness the world's largest antelope, the eland, can often be seen as they start regrouping for their breeding season - with herds reaching into the hundreds it makes for an awe inspiring sight.
November
The green season, November witnesses the first few storms of the rainy season arriving. It marks the arrival of the many migratory birds from the Northern Hemisphere.
December
In December the rains become more regular, with thunderstorms occurring every few days. With lush green scenery animals can be difficult to see because of the thick vegetation and the abundance of water. But birders will have an amazing time witnessing the incoming flurry of migratory birds.
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