Welcome to La Rondavelle

“ Françoise and Patrick have successfully completed their challenge: to create a beautiful and natural place from scratch that fits perfectly into the environment and the local communities in Malawi Everything is thought of and decorated with a lot of taste. The rooms are clean and built with natural and locally-sourced materials, the bathrooms (huge) have hot water and everything is powered by solar energy. There are places to fit every budget: a campsite, a dorm, double-rooms and wooden chalets. The food is simply delicious (French and Belgian cuisines). Françoise and Patrick are GREAT cooks! Most of the ingredients on your plate come from their garden/farm (that you can visit for free) and they make almost everything themselves: jams, cheese, wine, ice cream, smoked fish, etc. The property is vast and very green. The beaches are big, clean and the water is very clear. You can snorkel around. They also offer a range of other activities that you can take part in (boat trips, safaris, cooking classes, etc). Françoise and Patrick’s NGO, Malawi Kukula, helps the communities and the local kids grow (by sponsoring them, helping them with their school homework or teaching them new skills). La Rondavelle also trains local workers to hospitality jobs. Steve (receptionist/service), Autrey (manager) and the rest of the team will take great care of you I can only recommend - you won’t regret it! ”

“ It’s my third time of visiting this little piece of paradise. The staff here have warmly treated me like an old friend since the first time of meeting, 2 years ago. Ive stayed in different rooms each time and all have been charming in character and immaculately presented. The bird life and gardens of the grounds lining the beach are beautiful and naturally rustic…. true tranquility. As other reviews have accurately stated, the food served is quite exceptional. See my photo attached of the Quail served with a condiment of sweet mango paste….exquisite… This resort is where the warm heart of Africa meets the gastronomical delights of fine world cuisine. Thankyou to all the team…. Im looking forward to returning already… ”

“ I don’t actually think that I have the right words to describe this place. My family and I drove down from Nairobi and to be honest after 30 years away, I didn’t really know where to stay. I came across La Rondavelle on a Google Maps swipe and it was a story from then on. The place is exquisite. The Campsite, fully functional with an outdoor kitchen is under a nest of mango trees that drop ripe fruit into your open arms every day. We camped for a few days in beautifully laid out and landscaped slots. The nighttime weather with fierce thunderstorms and lightning that lit up the sky, drove us into the chalets which are lined up behind the Campsite and quite simply perfectly, as long as you don’t like spiders, and other big time creepy crawlies, sleep in the main house, but otherwise you sleep with your doors open and the sounds of the waves crashing on the beach right there in front of you There are freshwater showers and composting toilets which are an example of the owner Patrick’s determination to create a fully Off grid, eco-friendly and environmentally safe place to stay. Not only are there other Campsite allocations, but there are five beautiful chalets right on the beach. There is also a big main house that has seven doubles and a bunk house with shared toilets and showers. The main bar area is named after the fact that it is the biggest rondavel in Africa fully managed by local people from the village. There is a farm here so you get to eat fresh eggs, pork, beef, mutton, chicken, home-made pasta home-made ice cream, home-made liquor and syrups. Patrick and his chef Jonathan prepared a delicious fully home-made four course Christmas lunch complete with home-made cheese for their cheeseboard. It was delicious. The beaches are unblemished and the three coves are protected by Rocky Islands and natural forest. Patrick has 3 kayaks that you can take out to explore the lake. The fish, the crystal clear waters, the rocky islands and the sandy shore are enough to make you never want to leave. We goggled for hours, leapt off miniature islands and body surfed in evening waves. The cooking area is perfect. We cooked and ate like kings! Everyone we met here was genuinely kind and welcoming. This is most definitely not the last time I will be at La Rondavelle. What Patrick and his team have created is quite simply ‘paradise’ ”

“ Friends of us (a couple with 3 children) spent a night at La Rondavelle. They told us it was great, that hosts make you feel welcome and they prepared a delicious dinner for them (all from their garden). It was a great experience and recommend it. ”

“ Spent a night. Service was impeccable and their food delicious. Both local and French cuisine available. Sampled their home brewed wine (made using local fruits) and simply loved it. Overall slightly more pricey than other such facilities in Chilumba, but you don't get such an ambience for cheap. Highly recommend. ”

“ Wonderful place to stay and beautiful location. Fantastic welcome by all the staff. Rooms spotlessly clean. Food and service up to standard of high end European restaurant. The Belgian owners, who were away, even facetimed us to say welcome. Their charitable efforts for the local village are to be applauded. ”

“ We were looking for a place to stay after arriving with the Ilala Ferry at Chilumba late in the evening and found everything we needed after a long journey and more! After a free transfer from the ferry landing we enjoyed the enormous and hot showers and got treated to a fantastic meal under the Mango trees even though it was already close to midnight. The location on the peninsula is beautiful, even before the free room upgrade we received the rates were very reasonable and after a lovely breakfast we were sorry to leave so soon, definitely a place worth staying at for longer! ”

“ What Francoise and Patrick have done with this place is amazing and so inspiring. It is not just the accommodation houses and the restaurant, but the whole project behind La Rondavelle. They have their own garden and small farm and training center for the people from the area. They introduced us to so many activities that can be done around to support the local community. Great hosts, and their croquettes and fruit wines are ”