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Mgoza Lodge is a small lodge located on the beach at Cape Maclear, the rooms are all en-suite and facing the lake. There is a large area shaded by trees in front of the rooms for you to relax and enjoy the views of the islands and the sunset.We also have a Bar and restaurant, serving a great variety of dishes from around the world.
I stayed at Mgoza lodge for four nights. I was able to both fall asleep and wake up to the waves on the lake shore because our room was right by the lake. The food tasted really great, and they had new specials each night. Their beach was rough with larger sand grains, broken glass, and missing stairs, but I didn't let that stop me from going swimming each day. I also really enjoyed how there were tour guides there ready to take you out. Ants were also everywhere, but the grassy courtyard that was shaded by several large trees was a great place to relax and get out of the hot sun. The owner Alan was really friendly and helpful too.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â The bar next door was really loud on Christmas eve.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I spent three nights at Mgoza Lodge in April 2022. It was the perfect place to relax along the shore of Lake Malawi. The food was fantastic, the views spectacular and the owner takes great pride in making sure his guests are well taken care of. I highly recommend this place at Cape Maclear.
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Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here in April 2021; low season. I was amazed how beautifully located the lodge is. Right in the middle of the village, on the beach a few meters from the lake. The spot is stunning! See my photos!
The rooms are in a lovely shady garden and ours had a huge bed! There is a pool in the garden too.
Being very quiet, the food was a bit limited and we found this applied to all the lodges. However the cooked breakfast was a treat.
It’s good value for money and very beautiful.
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Date of stay: April 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I booked Mgoza Lodge for 3 nights through Hotels.com but when I arrived after a long journey I was confronted by awkward silence by the staff who asked me to wait a minute. After 10 minutes I asked them what was going on. They told me they had overbooked so they were trying to organise alternative accommodation for me. This turned out to be Warm Heart Adventure Lodge 100m down the road. What made me suspicious that this wasn't a genuine mistake is that the staff at Mgoza and Warm Heart treated this as entirely normal. I was later shown part of the Mgoza management Whatsapp chat which also treated such doublebookings as totally routine and to be expected. During my stay at Warm Heart a family group arrived being told exactly the same 'oh sorry there was accidentally a double booking at Mgoza'. I'd suggest that Mgoza doublebooking is a deliberate policy to be able to ship guests to Warm Heart.
Frustratingly the staff on the ground were useless throughout and it took me turning up in person the next day and demanding to speak to the owner on the phone for me to get refunded. One member of staff agreed with me that Mgoza would pay for a taxi for me to go to and from Monkey Bay to visit an ATM as part of compensating me for the disruption. However, when I arrived at the pre-agreed time, he hadn't organised a taxi and the other staff members refused to pay for one for me.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mgoza has the most beautiful setting with the trees and outdoor relaxation area next to the lake.
Sadly my pillows had an odd smell like cat pee but the staff were amazing to change them right away.
The staff helped me to organise day/boat trips which was helpful.
I tried but did not get the chance to enjoy a hot shower during my stay as only cold water was available.
Jeremiah at the front desk is kind and patient. Thank you for answering my questions.
The main road is right behind the rooms so the loud music and people walking past is extremely loud. I can see why other reviews mention it.
The food was was available and had a menu in which you could choose from.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had truly been looking forward to this trip to Lake Malawi, but the cottage we stayed in was just so extremely dirty, the floors had not been cleaned and in particular the kitchen (one of the reasons we opted for the cottage) was just disgustingly dirty. As if they had put the cutlery back in the drawer after eating without washing it. The pots and other utensils were sticky from grease. Cutting knife fell apart, noodles stuck on the water cooker and the whole fridge smelled of fish. We were not even offered a discount whatsoever, just a meagre sorry.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were superbly satisfied with the place, beautiful and clean... The Great view is a plus... Loved it. The owner is probably one of the most friendly people I've ever met... All round it's a very nice place to visit
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The rooms are very spacious with a large bed and good bathroom facilities. The room is very clean and comfortable. We were able to have our breakfast at a table by the pool. The restaurant was great with a good variety of food. The staff, especially Chico, were welcoming and nothing was too much bother. Would definitely recommend.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
They really work hard at making you feel at home at Mgoza. Not easy when electricity comes and goes. All the dishes I tried were excellent. Try the fish - Campagno - excellent, or their cheese burgers also very good. Allan, the owner, makes a great job of keeping it together here. Location right on the beach. You can not get any better than this.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great Lodge in a perfect setting next to the lake. Friendly staff, great food, & just the best place in Cape Maclear. Nice rooms, hot showers, great bar, restaurant, good loungers. Private parking for you car. All round good value for money.
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All rooms face the Lake, so all are good.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allt he rooms we saw were double rooms in thatched huts, they put in a camp bed for our friend's little boy. The rooms are basic in style, they are thatched huts rather than rooms in a large buildings. The bed is large and very comfortable, the mosquito nets are in good repair, the shower and the plumbing work fine, power is a bit unreliable (that's malawi, not the lodge) and lighting is very low. Furnishings are basic, there's no mini bar, no safe, no carpets, and shelves rather than wardrobe or chest of drawers. But there was plenty of space in our room, the setting is glorious, we loved it and we'd go again.
There are more places to choose from in the Cape Maclear area.
PRICE RANGE
$65 - $75 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MalawiLake Malawi National ParkCape Maclear
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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