I grew up by the beach, and am a huge fan of the lakeside.
I never learnt how to swim as a kid; despite the numerous effort by the older kids who grew up with me in Mangochi at Maldeco Fisheries to try and teach us how to swim.
Those who were older, and taller than us would carry us on their backs, and drop us at a deeper end of the lake – in an effort to teach us how to swim, without ever giving us the necessary skills.
I did eventually learn how to swim, at Sun’n’sand Holiday resort, and only for survival. I am still however traumatised by my early swimming experiences, and deep waters are not quite appealing to me.
Growing up at Maldeco means that my home was nearly a KM away from Nkopola Beach Resort; and I spent most of my childhood days after school there.
During the holidays, my father would always make an effort to go a different beach – and Sunbird Livingstonia Beach was an undoubted fave.
Sunbird Livingstonia Beach is an amazing lakeside resort on the golden sands of Salima with its own, very long, private beach. The resort has 35 en-suite rooms, a gym, a business centre, a swimming pool and a massage parlour.
Only 90 minutes from the Capital City, Sunbird Livingstonia Beach also is a splendid choice of business and conference location. The conference room can host up to 30 delegates who can enjoy their meals in Namalenje restaurant or on the outdoor terrace with beach-wide views of the waves lapping the inviting sands.
I invited my friend Yolam to join me on this adventure exploring the hotel.
Yolam and I lost one of our best friends in October of 2017. He drowned, at his University final year symposium. What hurt the most was that he knew how (and loved) to swim.
We have all faced our fear for the water independently after that – but I felt we would enjoy it together.
THE ROOMS
We arrived at the hotel around midday, and checked into our room which was so splendid. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with the rooms at Sunbird. They were always nice, but never so nice that I could gush about that – and this truly changed! But don’t take my words for it; see for yourself:
BEFORE
AFTER
Sunbird Livingstonia Beach has a total of 35 rooms, offering guests choice and luxury. Rooms are en-suite, air conditioned, with digital satellite television, international direct dialing, complimentary Wi-Fi, e-mail facilities, internet ports and 220v power points.
I stan the renovated rooms, so hard. A true premiere beach experience!
The Bathrooms!
Most people who have been to sunbird hotels complained about the bathrooms, because if we are being honest – they were quite basic! That has not been the story for the past year!
The Swimming Pool
I’m always a fan a of relaxing by the pool. Livingstonia has one of the biggest swimming pools in Malawi; which a stunning turquoise reflection.
The pool is quite central facing the Terrace restaurant, and you can enjoy your meals while enjoy the views of both the beach and the pool.
Terrace Restaurant
After checking into our room, we rushed over to the Terrace Restaurant for some lunch before we went to the beach for some water-sports.
I’ll always opt for fish dishes at the lake cause hello – fresh fish! The fish fingers at any Sunbird Hotel has never disappointed, and they were not about to start now.
This is an open-air terrace restaurant that overlooks the beach and scenic front of the hotel. Both buffet and a la carte meals are served here which cater to all tastes. Enjoy delicious meals in a romantic and peaceful atmosphere with cooling lakeside breezes, as you are served by our attentive staff.
THE BEACH
I remember always being excited about the beach at Salima for one specific reason: The purple sands!
Salima beaches have beautiful and fine purple sands that stretch out beautifully on the long and clean Livingstonia Beach.
Kasupe Bar
This bar has been a signature of Livingstonia for as long as I can remember.
It is a relaxed style open-air beach front bar, with an extensive bar menu of local beers, wines, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and healthy juices.
The signature feature at Kasupe is a vast selection of innovative contemporary cocktails and classic cocktails with a modern twist.
THE CAMPSITE
Sunbird Livingstonia has a vast campsite which can host over 100 tents and is very popular with guests from around the world. It has modern, very clean, amenities and a dedicated bar The Steps offering a more relaxed party environment.
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Speed Boat Ride
We started our afternoon beach experience with a boat trip to the Namalenje Island. I was a little bit scared, but also thrilled. Water has that about it – a little bit of fear that has much to do with the freedom it also gives you.
I did not keep track of the time, but it did not take us too many minutes to get to the island. I would say no more than 15 minutes.
Man that was probably one of the best experiences of my life!
Our lifeguards parked the boat and allowed us to get onto the island. Pemphero (one of the lifeguards) and Yolam were more enthusiastic about swimming that I was.
They jumped into the water, 15 metres deep, and asked me to join them. Before then, I had not been in water deeper than 3 metres, and I was terribly scared.
It took me nearly 5 minutes of fidgeting, and when I finally jumped, I was still scared. It was a mixture of freedom and fear still, all in one. I quickly swam to where they were, and returned back to the stone.
My second jump into the water was when I found my liberation, because I had done it before, and I had survived. Something about affirmations!
We had an amazing time swimming and overcoming fears, and ended our trip with a swim back to the boat which was just a few metres from the island.
We got back to the shore shortly before sunset, defeated, prepared to call it a day, and headed straight to dinner.
THE GYM
I woke up around 6 am, and made way to the gym.
The fitness addict in me loves a good gym, and the Livingstonia Beach Hotel gym is well equipped and sufficient for a vacation.
Namalenje Restaurant
A second storey dining-room overlooks the beautifully tended gardens that spill on to the golden sandy beach. When you look outside from the restaurant, it is such a view!
A range of local and international dishes are available with fresh lake fish, a house speciality.
I’ve always loved Sunbird breakfasts. I filled my tummy, ready for the day ahead, and Yolam and I headed out for more watersport activities.
Watersport Activities
The Hotel is well-stocked with a variety of modern equipment for watersports. Activities include jet-skiing, water-skiing, kayaking, banana boating, aqua quads, wind-surfing, water polo, power-boating. All added to with a swimming pool, fishing tours, beach soccer and beach volleyball.
P.S. If you are an adrenaline junkie, try out the screamer and let me know how that goes!
We grabbed our lunch, and headed back for Lilongwe. A short trip, but a beautiful experience!
MORE THINGS TO TRY OUT:
Curio and Fish tour
Accompanied by a guide, bargain for some of the most interesting curios on the continent – from key-holders to man-sized sculptures.
Visit Malawi’s unique tropical fish farm whichis renowned for its worldwide export of Malawi’s endemic and colorful cichlids, the choice of freshwater aquarists worldwide.
Fresh water snorkeling
The beautiful and remote Maleri Islands are a 45-minute boat ride away. Enjoy a snorkeling experience in crystal clear water, a picnic lunch and island tour.
Fishing village tour and view point
Visit one of the fish drying and net preparation beach areas- set up in typical Malawian style. Talk to fishermen and experience an ages-old, traditional way of life. A spectacular viewpoint high above the lake, provides stunning views and photographic opportunities overlooking the whole Senga Bay area.
Crocodile farm
The crocodile farm is located 10 km from Sunbird Livingstonia. Guests have a rare opportunity for close but safe encounters with one of Africa’s most aggressive reptiles. The farm has over 500 crocodiles, the oldest being over 40 years old.
Mua Mission tour
Malawi’s top cultural museum is situated in Mua, and the Chamare Museum boasts a wealth of Malawian culture and social history exhibiting traditional arts, crafts, weapons, implements and ornaments. Tours include a picnic prepared by Sunbird’s famed chefs.
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Sunbird Livingstonia Beach did not forget about business trips! The hotel offers conference and banquet facilities for workshop meetings, seminars, conferences, and weddings. The conference facility is furnished with its own equipment including audio-visual equipment, LCD projector, public address system, flip charts. Our Nyanja conference room comfortably accommodates 30 guests.
And that has been my experience with SUnbird Livingstonia Hotel. How was yours? How much did you love the new rooms?
CONTACT DETAILS
The General Manager, Sunbird Livingstonia Beach
P.O. Box 71, Zomba
Tel: +265 (0) 1 514 211, Fax: +265 (0) 1 514 230
Email: [email protected]
Website www.sunbirdmalawi.com
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