Blue Zebra Island Lodge is located on the tiny Nankoma Island, - which is part of a small archipelago of islands in the middle of Lake Malawi. It first opened mid-July 2013, and since then has become very popular with the expat community living in Lilongwe, who previously had no easy-to-reach weekend lake option. It is now proving to be quite popular with the international community too.
Blue Zebra is a simple lodge and doesn’t offer the luxury that can be found at some of the other properties we feature. It isn’t expensive, and is far easier to get to than some of the more remote beach options around the lake. It is only a two-hour drive from Lilongwe, to where you meet the boat for Blue Zebra on a long stretch of beach on the lakeshore. It is then just a 10-minute transfer over to the lodge by boat. On arrival you draw up to a long jetty where you will be met by your host or manager. You are invited ashore and first given a quick orientation of the lodge. It isn’t large, and most of the communal areas and rooms are in easy reach of each other.
The beach at the front of the property is a lovely and sandy with loungers for sunbathing and kayaks that you can use. Alongside the beach is a large welcoming swimming pool, which looks over the lake. By the pool there is a deck with further loungers for sunbathing as well as table and chairs.
Here you will also find the bar, with views across the pool to the lake beyond. Stools line the bar, and there is a wide selection of drinks on offer here. WiFi is available, though you may need to ask the barman to check that the connection is working properly. The bar area is quite a sociable meeting point in the evenings before dinner, where guests gather to chat. Blue Zebra is popular with the expat community and so we met some interesting people when we were there, including NGO workers, diplomats and conservationists!
Along a short board walk, tucked away behind some rocks and reeds, is a covered deck that extends out over the lake. This is a lovely secluded spot, where you can relax with a drink and just take in the views. There is a similar lounge, away from the central part of the lodge – where guests can relax on sofas and even watch a bit of TV!
The open sided dining area is located behind the bar area, up some stone steps. There are some tables set out in front of the dining area allowing for an open-air dining experience. Though most tables are under the thatched roof.
There are a variety of room categories at Blue Zebra. The simplest are the five safari chalets – these are not ensuite so we don’t use these rooms for our travellers.
The next level up, which we would recommend for our travellers, are the five Luxury Chalets. These are really spacious canvas tents and there are four of these, all located near the dining area in the terraced garden above the main beach. They are really comfortable rooms that sit on polished stone floors, and are built mostly using canvas. This canvas hangs from a wooden frame, under a thatch roof. Neutral tones are used throughout – resulting in a simple but stylish safari feel.
The veranda in front is furnished with chairs and a coffee table. Inside the chalets are large, with space for a day bed area as well as a four-poster double or twin beds. To the side of the room, a canvas partition separates the bedroom from the ensuite bathroom, where you will find a toilet and hot and cold shower.
Tucked around to the side of the island, away from the main areas are three larger Suites, which are similar to the Luxury Chalets but much more stylish and luxurious. Each of these has its own name, but they are similar to each other in design. The Cormorant and the Fish Eagle are both family chalets with space enough for four people. The King Fisher suite is suitable for two people. All are very private, with polished stone floors, canvas walls and good quality furniture. They all have a position looking out across the lake, with a nice outside area to relax in. Though note that none of the suites have direct access to the lake for swimming.
There are a number of activities on offer at Blue Zebra – many of which involve the water! Blue Zebra is located within a vast national park, and there is no fishing within 100 metres of the island. So the immediate area around it remains fairly pristine, and the snorkeling here is lovely. Included in the rates is kayaking, snorkeling and walking around the island. At an additional cost it is also possible to do tubing, wake boarding, water skiing and scuba diving, as well as a boat trip to the furthest island in the archipelago.
Wonderful lodge in a beautiful location. The rooms are very nicely done with great amenities, and the staff are fantastic and accommodating. An extremely peaceful and relaxing place to unwind and see the millions of stars of Lake Malawi when the lights are all shut off. Matt and Estelle and wonderful hosts and nothing is too difficult, and the food is brilliant. It also happens to be a great place to do some unique diving in the Lake - highly recommended!
stayed one night in a luxury tent at Blue Zebra. I took the 12pm boat to shore (wear shorts as you will walk in the water to the boat!) and arrived by 1pm. After a delicious glass of hibiscus juice, we were informed of the activities available and when electricity was turned on. The luxury tents were great - secluded, breezy, had a nice shower with hot water, and I was provided with all necessary toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush etc). I was offered a great lunch and they were able to cater to my dietary needs (I have celiac disease). After lunch, I was able to kayak safely out to some rocks and snorkel around with the cichlids. Then I kayaked for about an hour around the whole island taking in the sights - perfectly calm waters, warm sun, and beautiful shores. Dinner and breakfast were a choice of several options, and was delicious - especially the coconut flan dessert! I spent my evening chatting with fellow travelers and enjoying a nice campfire on the beach. What a treat! And the stars were breathtaking away from all the light pollution. The next morning, I treated myself to a very reasonably priced massage in a breezy tent with the birds chirprig around me and was very happy with the skill of the massage therapist.
We had a wonderful island vacation at Blue Zebra. We stayed at the cottage (3 nights), which has sweeping views of the lake, sunrise, and sunset. It was perfect for two couples and a toddler although you have to be okay with an open concept floor plan (no doors for the toilet or shower? no problem!). The cottage has an expansive deck with a dining table, lounge chairs, and hammock/swing. We had our breakfast delivered at the time of our choosing every morning. It was fantastic (although watch out for ants!). The hiking trails were awesome -- my toddler loved it. The trail that loops around the entire island has rocky portions though so be warned. The massage was great -- could be better if there was an option for a couples massage instead of one by one. The food was delicious and served in generous portions. Some of the kids meals (meatballs come to mind) were also extra yummy. If you order snacks by the pool the wait could be a while (upwards of 20 mins) so plan ahead. We had sundowners in the gazebo by the pool -- the best sunset in Malawi.