The Beach House, on North Beach, Chintheche, overlooks silver sands facing down Lake Malawi. It is perched on the very edge of the dunes and is shaded by two beautiful trees. Sunrise over the islands of Chizumulu and Likoma is a photographer’s dream.

Four large bedrooms have twin beds, mosquito nets and en-suite bathrooms. The spacious lounge area is furnished in colonial style with many old maps and prints. A wide shaded terrace all around the house offers the very best of outdoor tropical life.

The well-equipped kitchen encourages the widest range of self-catering. Two house servants are available to help. Barbecue equipment allows al fresco dining on the beach or under the trees.

The local fish chambo, kampango, ncheni and the whitebait-like usipa can often be bought at dawn on the beach. There are many small shops in the village just two kilometres away.

The Beach House is easily reached. Lilongwe International airport is a 4-hour drive or a 30 minute flight away, with light aircraft able to land at the nearby Chintheche airstrip. Mzuzu, the capital of North Malawi, is an hour’s scenic drive away and its airport is served by Air Malawi.