With a completion date of September 2010, Tongole Wilderness Lodge is an exciting new eco-tourism venture deep within the rugged and breathtakingly beautiful miombo woodland of the 1,800 sqkm Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. A mere 30 km west of the Lake of Stars, and hugging the forest-clad banks of the lovely Bua River, Tongole will be the only high-end facility of its kind in the region, drawing those who seek an exceptional wilderness experience in one of Africa’s – and possibly Malawi’s last – truly unspoilt wildlife areas.

Access to the Lodge is either by vehicle or chartered aircraft. It is only 160 km from Lilongwe Airport (an easy 3hr drive) with a 25 km game drive through the Reserve at the end. There are plans to establish an airstrip within the actual Reserve, however, for now aircraft fly into Illovo Estate’s private Dwangwa airfield (1/2hr flight from Lilongwe) where guests will then be met and driven to Tongole (1 1/2hrs).

Tongole Wilderness Lodge has been built from the red earth upon which it stands, whilst its rock, wood and thatch has also been sourced, wherever possible, from the Lodge’s immediate environs. Tongole will cater for 8 guests, with a further 6–8 beds planned for 2011. Accommodation will consist of 4 luxurious, thatched riverside suites, each with huge sunken baths doubling as individual plunge-pools, and spectacular raised wooden decks overlooking the Bua River. The Lodge has been expertly designed (www.blueforest.com) in such a way as to incorporate the very best of local Malawian culture whilst also blending in perfectly with its lovely natural setting.

With our main target market being discerning and ethical eco-tourists, the following objectives lie at the heart of our vision; to provide guests with a unique and memorable holiday experience of premium quality; to sustain business profitability and success through sound, ethical and responsible practices; to transform disadvantaged communities living in areas of high biodiversity; to respect local cultures and be sensitive to their needs and requirements; to benefit biodiversity conservation.

Nkhotakota supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Large mammals found here include elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and sable antelope and there are plans to re-introduce species such as giraffe and even black rhino. Birdlife International has classified the Reserve as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Withover 280 species of birds already recorded it is believed that further exploration of this largely uncharted area will likely increase this figure considerably. A wealth of nature along with never-before-seen landscapes serve to make this a true, undiscovered gem.