It was festive season; and I had just arrived in Malawi from my trip to Seoul where I was hosting the World Miss University pageant.
Since I moved out of my parents’ home; I am not a huge fan of going home for holidays. I love my family, very much – but I am also taking my much needed time to heal psychologically, and get better as a human being before I can expose myself to the people I love again. We are all doing better; I would like to think – and may just go home and take my family to Nkopola for this festive season.
Last festive season was different. I had missed my siblings; and wanted to get away with them. I have always loved the pine trees on Zomba mountain. They give me a very festive feel. Add that to the cold weather and simply – how green the scenery is.
My siblings accepted to get away with me; and the decision on where to go was easy. We set off for Ku Chawe. My father dropped them off from Mangochi at Mangochi turn off, where I picked them up because I was driving from Lilongwe.
Zomba is about 3 hours, and two hours from Lilongwe and Mangochi respectively. It is about 45 minutes from Blantyre; and just over an hour’s drive from Chileka International Airport.
Sunbird Ku Chawe rests on the rim of the 7000 feet (2200m) Zomba plateau and commands one of the most compelling views in Malawi. As you drive up the mountain – you get to appreciate the views on Zomba and the descending Mulunguzi river. The Mulunguzi Dam is a landmark in Zomba, and a sight for days.
OVERVIEW:
The premier mountain resort offers access to an unparalleled high tropical micro-climate and a huge biodiversity of birdlife. The hotel has 37 rooms, conferencing facilities, a bar, a restaurant, beautiful landscaped gardens and a children’s playground. Sunbird Ku Chawe offers a beguiling mix of serenity, luxury and exclusivity.
Rooms
Sunbird Ku Chawe has 37 rooms offering a variety of choice and luxury to guests.
All are en suite, air conditioned, have digital satellite television, international direct dialing, complimentary WI-FI, e-mail facilities, internet ports and 220 volt power points. The rooms come in 4 different categories:
4 Hillside Deluxe
1 Suite
22 Deluxe
10 Superior
We arrived at the hotel in the afternoon; and checked into our hillside deluxe room, which had the most exquisite view.
This is the room for you, if you want a view of Zomba Mountain.
The indoors of the room is very pretty; and the renovations give the hotel such a gorgeous finish.
I had enjoyed the ride, but simply needed to freshen up. I changed into my robe to take a shower with the quickness when I saw how gorgeous this bathroom was.
GUEST HOUSE ACCOMMODATION
Just 800 metres from Ku Chawe are two separate guest houses with three bedrooms and a lounge in each. Each house has one en suite bedroom and the other two bedrooms share a bathroom and toilet. Each house accommodates up to six people – two people per room. The houses are particularly convenient for family outings, holiday and long stays.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
Once we had all freshened up, we headed out to the bar side for some sundowners drinks and catching up.
Bastion’s Bar
My sister and my brother spent most of the time playing bawo which is a game you want to try out when you visit Malawi.
Bastion’s Bar complements the restaurant with a well-selected wine list and snacks readily available.
I was hanging out with this minor I am responsible for; and I had fun trying out the alcholic cocktails, as he sampled the non-alcholic ones.
We grabbed dinner shortly after; and retired for the night because we were pretty drained from the travel. You get to choose between ordering from the restaurant, or picking from the buffet.
I had to sneak in a few views just before bed. Yes, it looks equally stunning at night!
I slept so soundly; because the bed was so cozy. My brother sneaked in a few photos of me waking up in the morning.
Mulunguzi Restaurant | Breakfast
Breakfast is forever my favorite part of any vacation. Yasas!
The buffet is a very important part of the process – as I get to try out different things and pick out what I like.
Mulunguzi restaurant offers the best of local and international cuisine on a la carte and buffet menus. A popular Sunday barbecue is held in the beautiful terraced garden often accompanied by live entertainment. Breakfast is served from 06h00 to10h00. Lunch is served from 12h00 to 14h00. Dinner is served from 18h00 to 22h00.
You can enjoy your meals indoors, or outdoors.
The Outdoors Eating Area
If you are in it for the views, this restaurant does not disappoint. The weather of Ku Chawe is not as cold (especially in the warm seasons), and I like sitting out and enjoying my meals there.
The food was amazing. We ordered a variety of steaks and stews that were paired with chips and rice.
The Cheese Cake!
I will be open and share how I have never had cheesecake I truly enjoyed, till I had this cheesecake. I was honestly winging it with the dessert, and ended up pleasantly surprised. The best!
The Swimming Pool!
Okay, it is not done yet – but the pool is being built, and I am so thrilled like it is already there. It is being built facing the mountain (on the edge of the outdoor restaurant and just at the dip of the mountain) – and it gives me Bali vibes just thinking of what it will look like when it is completed.
I am also made aware that Sunbird is in the process of setting up a gym at the hotel, which will be the other thing the hotel was missing.
We had such an amazing trip overall, and returned to Mangochi to spend the new year with our parents before I returned to Lilongwe.
MORE THINGS TO SEE AROUND ZOMBA PLATEAU
Zomba Plateau Tour
This tour visits a trout farm, the scenic William’s Falls, passes by rivers and dams and returns from Chingwe’s hole, a legend-filled cavern sinking vertically right by the edge of the plateau.
Liwonde National Park
The Park runs along the Shire river, from its mouth at Lake Malombe. In the dry season when elephant, hippo, crocodile and many antelope stay close to the only water supply, riverside game viewing – is a never-to-be forgotten experience. More than 400 species of birds, Lillians love birds, storks and ground hornbills have been spotted here. The tour includes transfers to and from Liwonde as well as picnic lunch.
Zomba City Tour
Explore the old colonial capital by first visiting the Memorial to the fallen of the Malawian battalions in the famed King’s African Rifles. Then on, past many fascinating buildings, to the very colourful Zomba market. From there to the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College campus, then to the beautiful Botanical Gardens, the oldest and largest botanical garden in the country. A few metres away are the old Parliament buildings and National Archives.
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
Sunbird Ku Chawe offers facilities for different conferencing and banqueting events including weddings, meetings, conferences, special event. Each conference facility is furnished with its own conference equipment including audio-visual equipment, LCD projector, public address system, flip charts.
OTHER FACILITIES
Sunbird Ku Chawe offers a range of other facilities and services to complement your stay:
• 24-hour room service
• Laundry/Dry cleaning
• Free open car parking
• Designated non-smoking rooms
• Business centre
• Baby sitter (by prior arrangement)
• In-room mini bar
• Gift shop
• Room safes
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
CONTACT DETAILS
General Manager, Sunbird Ku Chawe
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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