Hosting the Lake of Stars arts & entertainment festival in 2019
A haven for guests looking for something a little bit different and special, with a rooftop sunset bar, open air movie nights, windsurfing and bird watching.
Londoners Kate & Russ met in Malawi, and after Russ purchased some scrub land behind the beach at Kachere Village on the shores of Central Lake Malawi, they embarked on building a hotel. But not just any hotel. A castle! The ambitious project began in 2009 and was completed in 2016, and is now an established haven for guests looking for something a bit different and special. Located on the M5 Highway south of Nkhwata Bay and Chintheche, this makes a great stop on a self-driving itinerary as well as with a driver-guide from Lilongwe, the Capital of Malawi.
This 12-room beach lodge has a large pool with a swim-up bar, two additional bars, and a restaurant. Accommodation ranges right from camping on the grounds, to Upper Tower Suites and Family Suites for those travelling with little loved ones. Their giant kitchen serves delicious international meals, including Moroccan, Indian and Mediterranean dishes. They also have vegetarian options and are happy to suit special dietary needs. Day visitors make their way to Kachere Kastle to enjoy the fantastic restaurant.
Spend your time here windsurfing, kayaking, or biking for local exploration. They have binoculars & bird books, and a large selection of reading material, as well as a campsite with 5 BBQ/ Braai areas, fire pits, and a full-size squash court! Some of the activities nearby include horse riding, scuba diving, a 9-hole golf course, and near to the Nkhotakota Game Reserve you can combine it with trips slightly further afield. They even host open air movie nights, at the Lake of Stars.
Malawi’s Lake of Stars Festival in 2019, from 27-29 September is hosted by Kachere Kastle. This three day music and arts celebration is unique and imaginative – bringing you music, talks, poetry, theatre, film, art and wellness activities, in a brand new setting.
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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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