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Mgoza Lodge

2.5 star property

Photo gallery for Mgoza Lodge

Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local and international cuisine
View from property
Comfort Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Lake View | Garden view
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local and international cuisine
Classic Bungalow, Ensuite, Lake View

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
  • Business services

Explore the area

View map
Main Road, Lake Malawi National Park, Cape Maclear, Mangochi
  • Place, Museum and Aquarium
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Malawi National Park
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Monkey Bay Beach
    ‪50 min drive‬
  • Airport, Monkey Bay (MYZ)
    ‪30 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, Lake View

Deluxe Double Room, Lake View

Deluxe Double Room, Lake View

  • Lake view
  • 30 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Family Room, Lake View

Family Room, Lake View | Garden view

Family Room, Lake View

  • Lake view
  • 30 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Comfort Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Lake View

Comfort Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Lake View | Garden view

Comfort Cottage, 2 Bedrooms, Kitchen, Lake View

  • Lake view
  • 30 sq m
  • 2 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

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  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available
4.0 out of 5, Very good, 7 reviews
The price is NZ$47
includes taxes & fees
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About the area

Cape Maclear

With a stay at Mgoza Lodge in Cape Maclear, you'll be steps from Lake Malawi and a 3-minute drive from Museum and Aquarium. .This beach lodge is 7.1 mi (11.5 km) from Lake Malawi National Park and 18.2 mi (29.3 km) from Monkey Bay Beach.
View more Lodges in Cape MaclearOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Museum and Aquarium - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Lake Malawi National Park - 19 min drive - 14.9 km
  • Nkhudzi Bay Beach - 47 min drive - 38.4 km
  • Monkey Bay Beach - 50 min drive - 36.1 km

Getting around

  • Monkey Bay (MYZ) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Black Pepper - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Cape Mac Froggie's Restaurant - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Rose’s Local Restaurant - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Banapaya - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪ZATHU Cape Community Kitchen & Bar - ‬9 min walk

About this property

Mgoza Lodge

Beach location and outdoor pool
Mgoza Lodge offers 4 accommodations with safes and portable fans. Beds feature premium bedding. Housekeeping is provided daily.
Recreational amenities at the lodge include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Make yourself at home in one of the 4 guestrooms. Conveniences include safes and portable fans, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities including an outdoor pool and bicycles to rent. This lodge also features wireless internet access (surcharge), concierge services, and an arcade/game room.
Satisfy your appetite for lunch or dinner at Mgoza Lodge, a restaurant which specializes in local and international cuisine, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Mingle with other guests at the complimentary reception, held daily. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a fee.
Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, multilingual staff, and luggage storage. Planning an event in Cape Maclear? This lodge has facilities measuring 269 square feet (25 square meters), including conference space. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary manager's reception is offered each day.
Mgoza Lodge - This restaurant specializes in local and international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: WiFi (USD 2 per day)

Parking and transport

  • 24-hour return airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a fee: USD 5 for adults and USD 3 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Free daily manager's reception

Restaurants on site

  • Mgoza Lodge

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • 269 square feet of conference space

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No lift

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Limited room service

More

  • Portable fan
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Early check-in subject to availability
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 16

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 10:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets stay free
Food and water bowls are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 5 for adults and USD 3 for children
  • Fee for wireless internet in public areas: USD 2.00 per day (rates may vary)
  • Airport shuttle fee: USD 120 per vehicle (one-way)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms

Property is also known as

Mgoza Lodge Hostel Cape Maclear
Mgoza Cape Maclear
Mgoza Lodge Lodge
Mgoza Lodge Hostel
Mgoza Lodge Cape Maclear
Mgoza Lodge Lodge Cape Maclear

Mgoza Lodge Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

7.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

7.8/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Charley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Very attentive staff. Very nice location!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Reed

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
As advertised
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

David

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Hayley

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

New years stay

A really lovely lodge in the best location in Cape Mclear, it had the most amazing chef and restaurant and lovely gardens. The staff were very welcoming and helpful. It’s also felt very safe. The room was a little tired and bathroom needed to be a little cleaner, however this is a country that has very limited resources so it was always going to be different to a western and more developed experience. It’s definitely the place to stay in this beautiful corner of Malawi!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Rosalind

.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tanya

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The best place to stay on the lakeside

I loved this little place, thought it was the prettiest and most charming along the beach. Having a bar and restaurant onsite was definitely a bonus. The staff are lovely and I would really recommend doing the sunset boat trip with snorkeling and eagle feeding. Overall excellent value, so much so that we thought we were undercharged for all our food and drink!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Liz

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic experience and really great value for money - thanks so much Mgoza Lodge
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Antonio

Liked: Staff & service
Very friendly staff and people, unfortunately due to the rise of the lake water there was no beach. There were ants on the premises, and one of the days I woke up with ants on my bed. I used a floss stick that I threw in the garbage bin in the toilets, the next day it was in the garden in front of my lodge door. Not very nice.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely lodge with gardens on the lake. Staff are super friendly and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It's a nice option if you want to stay in the area. Great waterfront location. Friendly staff. Well maintained and looked after. No wifi. Don't expect luxury, and bring a mosquito repellent.. Enjoy the nature and the scenery
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

PURUSHOTTAM

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Calm place

Nice place. Very attentive staff. Good food. Nice scenery.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Natalie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely place - stayed in a thatched hut overlooking the lake. Breeze from the lake meant the room was a good temperature but there was also a fan. Nice seating area in garden with small pool. WiFi available around restaurant. Really tasty well priced food in the restaurant. Great value for the price.

6/10 Okay

Lameck

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Staff & service
Faculties were minimalistic and on for a short stay. Staff were friendly .
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Vincent

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very much like the picture. In our case we were upgraded without asking. Simple accomodation but great food and staff.don't judge from the street view
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Casie

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Mgoza

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ursula

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place is set in a great location. They gave me an upgrade which was very much appreciated. They also helped me coordinate tours. Food was delicious! Only downside was that it was a bit noisy.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

8/10 Good

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

8/10 Good

Rachel

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

Good time by the lake

Pleasant stay at Lake Malawi. Outside area perfect to relax in hot conditions.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Nice cottage by the lake

Allan was great host. He gave us a better room free of charge. Sometimes problems with electricity, water and wifi, but it is normal in that area.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in May 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in May 2019

8/10 Good

Scott-Ryan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cape Maclear is a working fishing community on the shores of Lake Malawi that is gaining in tourist traffic. There are a number of small, family run lodges directly on that shore and Mgoza Lodge is one of the good ones as far as I can tell. Rooms are comfortable and spacious and clean, the food is good and the service is attentive and friendly. Electricity and wifi goes in and out, but you are in rural Africa. Alan, the owner, is quite present and does his best to make sure his guests are looked after. All in all, nothing over the top fancy but a friendly, happy place to spend a few days / nights. (Tip: look for Captain Flamingo on the beach to arrange a boat ride to one of the islands and an empty beach with clean, clear, cold water to swim in)
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019