Chintheche on Lake Malawi

Chintheche lies on Lake Malawi along a long stretch of the northern lakeshore; the area also offers a glimpse into spice cultivation. Golden sandy beaches and tropical vegetation form the setting for a number of lakeside lodges and resorts. When choosing where to stay, you can consider whether the lakeshore scenery or an additional interest in plants and cultivation should shape your stay. Chintheche brings these themes together through its lakeside location and the guided tours at Rift Lake Spice Co.

Chintheche between the lakeshore and spice gardens

The northern lakeshore stretch between Nkhata Bay and Nkhotakota extends for more than 100 kilometres along some of Lake Malawi’s most pristine and least developed beaches. Chintheche lies roughly halfway along the entire stretch; the length refers to the lakeshore between the two places named. Chintheche is a hub for a number of lakeside lodges and resorts, set on golden sandy beaches with tropical vegetation in the background. This brings together an approximate location within an extensive lakeshore region and a specific setting of beaches and vegetation. When choosing your accommodation, you can weigh up both: is the immediate lakeside scenery most important to you, or should the approximate position within the longer coastal stretch also play a part?

At Rift Lake Spice Co., guided tours offer the chance to explore the gardens and learn how spices are grown. The lodge operator currently describes the guided tours; arrange a visit with them directly in advance. This gives the lakeshore scenery a second, tangible perspective, with plants, cultivation and spices at its heart. If you want to plan your trip around not only landscapes but also themed discoveries, a garden visit can provide a focus of its own.

Snorkelling is one of the activities listed for the “Chintheche & Northern Lakeshore” destination group. This gives you gardens and spice cultivation alongside snorkelling, which is listed for the group, to consider when choosing activities that interest you.

Nkhata Bay: other regional highlights

The broader Nkhata Bay destination also offers horse riding: Kande Horse Trails Limited is located in Chintheche, in Nkhata Bay District, and caters to people who enjoy riding. There is an established diving school on Lake Malawi in Nkhata Bay and another on Likoma Island. The places mentioned each have a different regional focus: Kande Horse Trails Limited is based in Chintheche, while the diving schools are in Nkhata Bay and on Likoma Island.

Culture and landscape also broaden the picture of the wider Nkhata Bay destination. Fort Matete Site is listed there as a cultural excursion destination. The areas of the Vizara rubber and timber plantations in Nkhata Bay District are scenic; Kandoli Forest Reserve is among the areas of tourist interest. Thus, alongside the lakeshore, there are themes such as culture, plantation landscapes and forest, which may influence the character of your trip.

The beach areas on Lake Malawi in Nkhata Bay District include Chikale, Chintheche, Kande, Mwaya and Liuzi.

Discover more destinations: Maganga, Chiweta.

Back to the regional travel overview: Northern Region.