Bua River Lodge
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Bua River Lodge

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Room & Suite (52)
Bua River Lodge
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About

5.0
#2 of 6 lodges in Nkhotakota
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Bua River Lodge is located within Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve which sits beneath the Chipata Mountain. This is one of Malawi's last unexploited wildernesses, where a vast network of rivers weaves its way through wooded hills, nourishing the dense miombo forests that make up this unique ecosystem. Bua River Lodge is the ideal place to enjoy ‘forest bathing’ by offering a selection of safari tents chalets built right among the trees and along the river. The river attracts many animals including elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, monkeys and crocodiles, as well as an abundance of birds from the small malachi kingfisher to the majestic fish eagle. So come and relax around the campfire or go on guided game walks to learn more of the flora and fauna found in the Reserve. Alternatively learn to cook a local dish, visit the local historical sites, delve into the bustling market place or simply relax and unwind by the river. We pride ourselves in the food we serve and can cater for most diets, just let our staff know at the time of booking any requirements you have. We offer a fusion of Malawian, South African and European with homemade cakes and biscuits available during the day. Our staff are looking forward to making your trip special. It's truly a place to leave your troubles behind and find the wilderness on your doorstep.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free breakfast
Hiking
Canoeing offsite
Airport transportation
Mosquito net
Outdoor fireplace
Clothes dryer
Car park
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Walking tours
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun terrace
First aid kit
Laundry service
Room features
Desk
Dining area
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Seating area
Sofa
Clothes rack
Walk-in shower
Private bathrooms
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Quirky Hotels
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans

Location

Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Nkhotakota Malawi
Getting there
Lilongwe Intl Airport
70.4 mi•
See all flights
150Reviews5Q+A29Room tips

Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
Megan G wrote a review Jun 2023
Property's Favourite Review
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Bua Lodge is such a special place. The location has sweeping views of the river, in a pristine woodland.

So amazing to sleep next to the roar of the river and wake up to see elephants have walked through the camp in the night. We were lucky enough to spend the afternoon watching the elephants graze along the lodge deck! So many crocodiles, monkeys and birds to enjoy too.

The staff, including the managers, were very accommodating and making vegetarian home made food was no problem at all. The food was absolutely delicious. We highly recommend doing the nature walk with the expert guides. Highly highly recommended!
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled 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.
Response from , Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 13 Jun 2023
Thank you so much for staying with us. It was so nice having you. Please be safe and hope to see you again. Another guest that left as a friend.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katie A wrote a review Jul 2021
Washington DC, District of Columbia
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I stayed at Bua for 3 nights in June 2021, in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Due to the pandemic, I was the only guest and I was so appreciative that they stayed open for my visit! I didn't see much in the way of wildlife, but it was not for lack of trying by my wonderful guide! I did hikes each morning and short sundowner walks in the afternoon and really had a great experience overall. The outdoor shower was especially great, with hot water from a wood stove every day!

My only complaint would be how chilly it got in the evening and that they didn't do a turndown service while I was at dinner to close up the tent to keep in some of the warmth or have hot water bottles for the bed like other lodges I've stayed at.
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Date of stay: June 2021
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
Room Tip: Rooms right on the river are probably a bit colder at night!
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.
Response from Michelle Burrow, Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 28 Feb 2022
Dear Katie, Many thanks for leaving a review and giving feedback. We always appreciate it when people take the time. Please accept my apologies it has taken so long to respond. The staff are delighted that they made your stay so memorable, even if the elephants were being elusive. Thank you for giving the feedback on the hot water bottles and turndown service. As this was during covid we were aiming to keep our contact with your personal space to a minimum, however, we appreciate we could have checked with you for your own level of comfort around this. There should have been additional blankets in your room, though the hot water bottle is a lovely idea that we will look into, so we appreciate the recommend. I hope your onward travels were safe and thank you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard W wrote a review Jan 2023
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I stayed at Bua River Lodge for two nights and it is a beautiful place in a beautiful wildlife reserve. Truly quiet and peaceful. The lodge is very nice and we had an outdoor fire each night. The chalets are very comfortable with well appointed outdoor bathrooms and showers and the food and service is excellent with a very nice wine selection. Mike and Dalene are great hosts and went out of their way to ensure my stay was enjoyable. Even showing me some of the historical sights in Nkotakota and taking me part-way to my next destination. Very nice experience!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Travelled 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.
Response from , Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 8 Jan 2023
How nice to have met you. We really enjoyed having you here and hope to see you again with some family and friends. Have a great journey to your next destination.
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Karen C wrote a review Sept 2023
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This was not our first stay at Bua River Lodge over the years but it was our best! There has obviously been a lot of money spent on the upgrade and all the attention to little details have certainly paid off. Our beautiful private deck overlooking the Bua River was amazing and our Safari style bedroom was very clean and comfortable and we loved the al fresco style en suite. We saw a lot more game than previous visits and the new hide was well worth the drive. We saw zebra, waterbuck, impala, sable, warthog and more. A shout out to our hosts Delene and Mike, who along with the rest of the wonderful team, have put in so much work to make this place a real gem! Well worth a visit.
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Date of stay: September 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled 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.
Response from Mike and Dalene Bua, General Manager at Bua River Lodge
Responded 26 Sept 2023
Thank you for visiting us. It was only a pleasure to host you guys. Specially because Bua is known to you. We are looking forward to your next visit.
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Expedition151705 wrote a review May 2023
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The tents are amazing, the mattress and pillows are very comfortable with newly renovated bathrooms, hot water, food is plentiful and well prepared. The service is excellent and safety protocols are instilled by staff. The height is a wonderful location to spot animals, but elephants are often found right on the property. Lots of monkeys too. From my tent I was able to see crocodile and water buck across the Bua river. It is very calming to fall asleep to the sound of the river. The sundown provides excellent scenery. Thanks to Mike, Deline, Clifford and Martin for a Fantastic Safari experience!!
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Date of stay: April 2023
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip: Make sure to bring a proper camera for wild life photos. Cell phones are not sufficient.
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.
Response from , Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 21 May 2023
Thank you for choosing Bua as one of your Safari destinations. It was so nice having you here. We are glad you enjoyed your stay with us. Our moto still stand: You come in as guests and leave as friends. Safe travels!!!
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Janne wrote a review Sept 2022
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
When we arrived we immediately had a very warm welcome from Mike & Dileen. Our tent was nice, equiped with its own private bathroom, hidden in the green surroundings of the Park. Just a note for future guests: there is no electricity in the tents, but you will be provided with a solar light at night and you can charge your phone at the main lodge at all times.
The lodge is situated in the midst of nature, close to the river, which makes a beautiful view.
Also the food was absolutely delicious, one of the best we had in Malawi!
Above all that the staff is really friendly and always ready to help.
African Parks just brought in new animals, so in a few years chances of seeing animals are higher.

A real recommendation!
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled 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.
Response from , Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 6 Sept 2022
Thank you so much for visiting Bua River Lodge and to take time to leave your review. It was a pleasure hosting you guys. The Bua slogan is you arrived as guests and depart as friends. Thanks again for choosing Bua River Lodge. Regards Mike and Dalene
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Peter Hunter wrote a review Aug 2023
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Extremely beautiful location, with great food and very friendly management. The beds were very comfortable and room had a great outdoor bathroom.
The wildlife is rich and we saw many elephants, the staff always took good care of us and made our safety their main priority
Shai our guide for a tour of the local wildlife was very helpful/sociable and was able to answer all our questions about the wildlife, and even taught us how to brush our teeth with a local plant! He made our stay even more fun by sharing local stories with us around a campfire. He was extremely professional and kind.
Would recommend this place to anyone.
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Date of stay: July 2023
4.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Response from , Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 23 Aug 2023
Thank you. It was such a lovely time spend with you. Management and staff really appreciate your friendliness and appreciation. Looking forward to a second visit.
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Bev wrote a review Jun 2022
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mike and Dalene are the most attentive and helpful hosts who will go out of their way to enhance your experience in any way they possibly can. The lodge is truly in the wild; the river is beautiful and there is private and communal space to sit back and enjoy the view and the peace. The accommodation is rustic but spacious and clean with very comfortable beds and good mosquito nets. The outdoor bathroom was a novelty we all enjoyed. Not the place for game spotting though; although we saw elephants, waterbuck, monkeys and a few birds, generally animals were scarce.
We were the only guests (couple + 12 year old) but I think it would be good for bigger groups
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Date of stay: April 2022
2.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
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.
Response from Michelle Burrow, Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 13 Jul 2022
Thank you for your feedback and kind words. We will share them with the team who will be so pleased they made your stay one to remember. Due to the unique forest aspect of Nkhotakota and its size, it can be tough sometimes to catch a glimpse of the animals around us, though we are glad you got to see the ones you did. African parks has just started to bring in more animals so we are hopeful that there will be more and more to see each year. Safe travels and all the best for 2022. Best wishes
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Jennifer R wrote a review Apr 2023
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The setting is beautiful and accomodation wonderful, but it was the hospitality and the willingness of the management and staff to go above and beyond the call of duty when we had a medical emergency that really blew us away.

The tents are really lovely and well equipped. The family chalet was perfect for our needs a family of 5 with kids 12, 10 and 6. The environment so peaceful and the river a lovely backdrop that we could have watched all day. It was easy to slip into holiday mode, reading books and playing games.

Food was good - maybe more veggie options would be even better. Restaurant staff were great.

Lodge staff were super helpful, and a highlight of our day was trips out into the reserve for sundowners in beautiful spots. Not many mammals to see at this time of the year in thick bush, but that was to be expected and is just the way it goes with wildlife.

The lodge managers couldn't have been more helpful and friendly. They made accomodations to the menu for the kids where needed... but most impressively went so far beyond what we would have expected from them when we had a medical emergency with our son in the middle of the night. They were highly professional and helped us out in ways we would never have asked of them. Thanks Mike and Dalene - you made a difficult experience much easier in a lot ways !
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Date of stay: April 2023
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.
Response from , Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 20 Apr 2023
It was such a pleasure to meet your family. We had a great time making you guys feel welcome and happy with us. We are just so blessed to meet such wonderfull people and we all enjoy our time together. Thank you for staying with us and we are looking forward to your next visit. COMING IN AS GUESTS AND LEAVING AS FRIENDS. The Bua Team.
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Ana O wrote a review Feb 2022
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I had a lovely visit, and most importantly was attended by amazing people, staff, managers, guides, every single person was always available to help. As a solo traveler this kindness makes you feel less far from home. The place is situated in a wonderful place, and even if we weren’t lucky seeing big animals the flora and beautiful river make the walks worth it. Will definitely recommend it for those who love to explore and connect with nature.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
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.
Response from Michelle Burrow, Owner at Bua River Lodge
Responded 28 Feb 2022
Thank you for leaving feedback, we appreciate you taking the time - thank you. We will share your feedback with the Lodge Managers and all the staff who will be so pleased to know their efforts made you feel so at home and comfortable. This is incredibly important to them. It's a shame the ellies remained elusive, yet wonderful that the natural beauty of the place managed to make up for it. Take care and safe onward travels
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…
Gaetanalix asked a question Jul 2018
Dubai, United Arab Emirates158 contributions67 helpful votes
Good day, how can we contact you to make a booking .
Answer from buariverlodge
Nkhotakota, Malawi1 contribution
Good day.... Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We have just got access back to tripadvisor following new ownership of the Lodge. I'm unable to give the exact details in this response field, however, you can contact us via our website or facebook - both are the name of the lodge and have all the necessary details listed. Part of the charm of the place is its remoteness, though we will aim to get back to you the same day where feasible. Hope this helps. Best wishes,
zeldine d asked a question Oct 2017
Paris, France2 contributions1 helpful vote
What is the name of the new manager of Bua river Lodge?
Answer from James H
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Donna and Stephen
Nora B asked a question Jan 2017
13 contributions4 helpful votes
How can I get there via public transportation from Nkhotakota ?
Answer from Andrew B
Norwich, United Kingdom1,059 contribution29 helpful votes
You can't. It is quite a drive to the park gates from the main road and then another few kilometres inside the park. Ask about a car/taxi to the gate and then arrange the lodge to collect you from the park gate.
Answer from buariverlodge
Nkhotakota, Malawi1 contribution
Yes, we do. $10 per person per night. There are hot showers, a braai area and a basic kitchen for food preparation and dish washing. No electricity
01130EchallonAnnick asked a question Dec 2017
Saint-Germain-de-Joux, France421 contributions119 helpful votes
Do you have internet facilities or Wifi at the lodge?
Answer from buariverlodge
Nkhotakota, Malawi1 contribution
unfortunately we do not have WiFi, or mobile phone signal.
patrick s wrote a tip Oct 2024
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"The only issue is the lack of wifi. Sure they will fix that. I appreciate it’s not the end of the world but we were working so needed it."
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Expedition151705 wrote a tip May 2023
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Make sure to bring a proper camera for wild life photos. Cell phones are not sufficient."
Read full review
Katie A wrote a tip Jul 2021
Washington DC, District of Columbia8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Rooms right on the river are probably a bit colder at night!"
Read full review
WillemHWindhoek wrote a tip Jul 2020
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia554 contributions108 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Ask for one of the rooms on the island."
Read full review
Alistair C wrote a tip Oct 2019
Porlock, United Kingdom271 contributions142 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Livezi is the best located "luxury tent""
Read full review
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LOCATION
MalawiCentral RegionNkhotakota
NUMBER OF ROOMS
7
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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BUA RIVER LODGE - Updated 2024 Reviews & Photos

Frequently Asked Questions about Bua River Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Bua River Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Bua River Lodge?
Top room amenities include a desk, a dining area, and a mosquito net.
What food & drink options are available at Bua River Lodge?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Bua River Lodge?
Yes, free parking and a parking garage are available to guests.
Does Bua River Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Bua River Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Bua River Lodge?
Yes, laundry service and a clothes dryer are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Bua River Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Afrikaans.
Does Bua River Lodge have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the river view available here.