Thumbi View Lodge
Village Road, Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park 0157 Malawi
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About
#1 of 11 lodges in Cape Maclear
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.7
Value
4.7
Look at our view and you know this place is magical. Warm smiles, good food, cold drinks, wifi and comfy beds, what else can you ask for?! You will find a pool, an on site scuba school and a tan of note!! Go on an island trip, snorkel, and get ready to be amazed by 700 fish species, afterwards enjoy a BBQ on the beach. At the end of the day, order a sun downer and sit in the pool whilst watching the sun set over the magnificent lake, nature's show of colours as you have never seen. Contact us for advice on your whole Malawi experience. Transfers to and from the lodge as well as to our partner lodges available.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Pool with view
Yoga classes
Free breakfast
Beach
Canoeing
Gift shop
Secured parking
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Diving
Hiking
Snorkeling
Fishing
Board games / puzzles
Mosquito net
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Shared lounge / TV area
Shops
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Laundry service
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Room features
Private beach
Housekeeping
Bath / shower
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Family
Location
Village Road, Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park 0157 Malawi
Thumbi View Lodge
Getting there
Lilongwe Intl Airport
72.5 mi•
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250Reviews7Q+A42Room tips
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Assisted us on arranging all transportation in Malawi. Both dialouge with other hotels and drivers. Very helpful to answer questions we had before arriving in Malawi. Couldn't have asked for better service.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2023
Value
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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.
Helpful
Thumbi Lodge is a great place to stay in Cape Maclear: it is well located with lovely friendly staff and a good standard of budget friendly accommodation. Contrary to some of the other reviews below, we found that good quality Wi-Fi was available at very minimal cost (with great connection albeit subject to the various regular power cuts that are common in the area!). Drinks and food are also well priced. The staff were extremely friendly and very accommodating of requests. We chose one of the garden rooms and were very pleased: the shower had hot water and the room was comfortable. Highly recommended for a good value stay in Cape Maclear. To note more generally, activities such as sunset cruise and kayaking can be booked through the lodge at good prices. For tours, right beside the lodge on the beach are the Tour Guides who organise activities - they are independent of the lodges but well organised and helpful. We did the full tour (Ilala Gap, Thumbi West Island, Otters Point etc.) with Symone and had a really great time. The tour guides do accept card payments but at a rate that is not so good: would highly recommend bringing US dollars in cash to pay them or plenty of Kwacha (note: there is NO cash machine in Cape Maclear, the nearest one is in Monkey Bay, so withdraw before arriving!). …
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
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Service
Room Tip: Thumbi accepted card payments but there is NO ATM in Cape Maclear so bring plenty of cash for...
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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.
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Good food, friendly staff, funky rooms. No internet, but cell tower nearby with occasional data service for T-mobile. Well-located on the lake in best part of Chembe. Hot water available mostly in the morning. Touts will approach you on the lodge's "private" beach. Only some of the upscale rooms have seating outside. Pathways, parking and approaches to the lodge are dusty sand. Skies and air are smoky during the dry season.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023
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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.
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+1
This lodge is a wonderful place to stay in Chembe / Cape Maclear. It is right on the beach with a wonderful view of Lake Malawi and of course, Thumbi Island. At the restaurant and pool area is the perfect place to catch the beautiful sunsets. This is also where breakfast is served. Such a beautiful & peaceful place to wake up, then have coffee & breakfast while enjoying views of the lake. I stayed 3 nights here and had a relaxing time. I initially booked a room in the back of the property, not near the lake, which is a more budget-friendly option. I spent one night there then decided to upgrade to a room that faces the lake for the next 2 nights. The lake view rooms are clean, spacious, & comfortable. The beds have mosquito nets over them, which was very helpful. The showers here also have hot water. Upon booking online, the lodge contacted & welcomed me, then provided all the information I needed for my Malawi visit & stay at their lodge. They offer airport pickup & drop-off, which I booked, since Lilongwe is about a 4hr drive to Cape Maclear so this is the easiest & most convenient option. Also, my flight arrived late in the afternoon so it was already dark by the time I arrived at the lodge. The owner arranged to have the driver pick up some food for me so I can have a light dinner on the road because there’s really nothing between Lilongwe & Cape Maclear. In addition to this, they also helped me with the invitation letter & booking confirmation, which I needed to submit for my tourist visa application to Malawi. Everything was seamless. On one of the days, I booked a sunset catamaran cruise offered by the lodge, since they have their own catamaran. We sailed around Thumbi Island & stayed on the lake for sunset. Apart from the sunset, it was perfect timing as we saw so many fishermen going out to the lake to fish on their traditional dugout canoes. The owner, with his beautiful dog, & the staff are all wonderful & very accommodating. The location with a view of Lake Malawi is beautiful. The food & service are great. And the overall ambiance here is peaceful. The only downside I can think of here is that there is no wifi on the property. But for me, this was the perfect place to relax for a few days!…
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
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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.
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+1
Staff was nice and friendly, view is amazing, and the pool was my child’s favourite. Food was also excellent altho for breakfast it would have been nice to have something fresh such as fruits or vegetables or even juice. Overall our stay was great but I really really really missed MUSIC at the pool/bar that wasn’t played basically at all. It was difficult to understand why - afterall it plays such a big role all around Africa. would have enjoyed pool day drinks and evenings much more in at least a bit more lively atmosphere especially cause I was traveling with a child and could not really go out to local places and corner shops in the evenings. For some reason all lodges in Cape Mac seem to think tourists want to sit in peace and read a book…. When I asked, they said it’s not a party place. I understand that totally but playing music in the afternoons and before guests’ bed time doesnt make a party - only nice atmosphere and would probably increase your bar sales. An that reminded - they increased the beer price in the middle of the week by more than 30% and didnt even inform about it. Just noticed it on my tap when paying my bill. That is very bad customer care. Ps. Pay in cash and in kwatchas - dollar rate they use is a total rip off (not even close to the real rate). You end up loosin a lot of money!…
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: Pay in kwatchas.
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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.
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Response from Noleen Noeth, Owner at Thumbi View Lodge
Responded Aug 18, 2023
We are happy that you enjoyed your stay with us. We do play laid-back, background music, because that is our vibe. We feel there are enough other places in Cape Maclear who cater for the livelier side of guests. We find our guests mostly just want to sit in peace and read a book and that is our market. I must apologize about the increase in beer price. We have had 3 increases from our supplier in the last 2 years, which we carried, an unfortunately it was long overdue for us to increase the price. It is totally our mistake not to have mentioned it to you, I do apologize. As for the fact that we "RIP PEOPLE OFF", this is not true. What a statement to make! Seeing how you were in Malawi for a while you must be well aware that Malawi has 2 exchange rates. If you google it now, you will see the official bank rate for the USD to the Kwacha is K1078.50 for $1. That is the offical rate. Then there is an exchange rate at the bureau which is around K1500 for $1. So when you take out money at the ATM or pay with VISA you get the bank rate, and that is what we work on. It is not a rip of, it is the rate.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Had a lovely time, the staff were so amazing, all smiles, the food was great, beautiful place, enjoyed the sunset cruise, the Wi-Fi wasn't working when we were there but that can be excused, highly recommend it
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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.
Helpful
Response from Noleen Noeth, Owner at Thumbi View Lodge
Responded Aug 18, 2023
Thank you for those kind words, it was truly a pleasure to host you!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thumbi View Lodge has no WiFi for guests (even though the owners enjoy WiFi access). The rooms and especially the bathrooms are very dated. The place is entirely overpriced. The owner, Chris is rude and knows nothing about hospitality. I was allowed a late checkout by the front desk staff only to find Chris banging on my door while I was in the bathroom to tell me the checkout time is 10am. When I explained I was allowed a late checkout, he demanded to know the name of the person who had authorized this. I didn't remember the names of the front desk employees and I said so, but he kept asking repeatedly who the person was. He said he had the right to interrogate me because he's the owner. His behavior was absolutely appalling. It's clear he has no interest in the guest experience and only wants to extract the last penny he can from the unfortunate guests who stay here. The co-owner, Noleen seemed slightly nicer over WhatsApp, but she was unavailable, and did not bother meeting me even though I did her a favor and brought her keys left behind by another guest. She allowed her bull-in-a-china-shop partner loose on the property. There are many better and less expensive lodges in Cape Maclear with nicer, caring owners than Thumbi View Lodge. I'd strongly suggest all travelers steer clear of Thumbi View Lodge. …
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
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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.
Helpful
Response from Noleen Noeth, Owner at Thumbi View Lodge
Responded Jun 19, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to write this review, it is important that other guests be aware that certain behaviors are not regarded as acceptable at Thumbi view lodge. You made a booking for two nights. Turns out, you did not want to stay 2, you informed our Malawian staff that you will not be staying the second night, you "just wanted to stay in the room until 10pm and will then leave". When Akim asked you in the morning to check out by 10am as is the norm anywhere in the world you were extremely rude to him. So much so that he came to our house, very upset to tell us what happened. So, I am not sure what YOU know about hospitality, but if you stay in a room till 10 at night, you pay for it. And sorry buddy but we will not tolerate our staff being treated disrespectfully. So, yes, Chris went to your room and did tell you that check out time is 10 am. When you asked him who does he think he is to ask you to check out, he DID say he is the owner and YES he does have the right to ask you to check out. He was not rude, even when you started shouting at him, he politely to you not to shout at him. As for me, I would perhaps have said thank you for the key, did you stay the nights that you booked, and not just booked it to get the second day for free. You might now know it, seeing how you do not know hospitality, we had COVID and tourism is only starting to recover, we need all bookings. we cannot afford for people to book 2 nights and only pay for one. Our track record clearly show that our guests comfort comes first. Mutual respect is the key my friend not treating people like rubbish.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nice place but all my money was stolen out of my bag out of my locked room, which apparently I had the only key of. No sign of any break-ins. They said there is nothing they can do and I asked if I could at least move rooms because I did not feel safe there. Then at the end of my stay they wanted me to pay full price for the room I was moved to, ridiculously!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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.
Helpful
Response from Chris Labuschagne, Owner at Thumbi View Lodge
Responded Mar 29, 2023
We have not had a single theft here in the 10 years we have been open. I am glad you stated some of the facts. You WERE alone in the room, you have the ONLY key to the room, there was NO sign of break in. What you omitted to mention is that we immediately said we are going to get the police in and you said no. So we did want to do something about it, but you did not want to. You opted to remain at Thumbi and we offered you a discounted rate for the room you moved to. So yes, we did expect you to pay. You agreed on the price and refused us to get the police in.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thumbi View was a great choice to stay in Cape Maclear. I initially booked a different accommodation, but once I discovered Thumbi View with its beautiful veranda overloking the beach, and the nice pool and sun beds to hang out, I quickly relocated. The staff is very friendly and always ready to help, and the food was delicious. I stayed in a dorm room, which was very good value for the price. It is also a great place to meet other travellers. I strongly recommend!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
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.
Helpful
Response from Noleen Noeth, Owner at Thumbi View Lodge
Responded Aug 18, 2023
Thank you for taking the time to review us, it warms our hearts to hear when people appreciate the staffs' hard work. We hope to see you again!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have just returned home after an absolutely amazing stay at Thumbi lodge. The facilities throughout the lodge are immaculate. The staff are so welcoming and accommodating especially Joyce,and Akim. Breakfast each morning was a delight with the freshly baked muffins. They even have a catamaran you can hire . We spent two fabulous afternoons snorkelling around the island with Maurice showing us the sights. I really can’t recommend Thumbi highly enough. We will definitely be back.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
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PRICE RANGE
$35 - $65 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MalawiLake Malawi National ParkCape Maclear
NUMBER OF ROOMS
17
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Claim Your ListingTHUMBI VIEW LODGE - Updated 2023 Prices & Reviews (Malawi/Cape Maclear)
Frequently Asked Questions about Thumbi View Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Thumbi View Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Thumbi View Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Thumbi View Lodge?
Yes, free parking and secured parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Thumbi View Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Wb Restaurant Cape Maclear Malawi, Hiccups Pub, and Chikaya Malawian Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Thumbi View Lodge?
Yes, guests have access to an outdoor pool and yoga classes during their stay.
Is Thumbi View Lodge located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.5 miles away from the center of Cape Maclear.
Does Thumbi View Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the lake view available here.