Discovering Livingstonia, Malawi
A Missionary Village in Nyasaland’s Hills
Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best accommodation near Livingstonia, Malawi, is Soul Rebel Lodge & Backpackers
🛣️ How to Get to Livingstonia, Malawi:
- Book a Flight to Malawi,
- Then travel from Lilongwe or Blantyre to Livingstonia (By Road: 5–7 hours from Lilongwe or 5–6 hours from Blantyre. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended for the journey)
See our Top Africa Experiences
Need more trip-planning tips? Check out our resource list below!
Experience
What is the history of Livingstonia Malawi?
In 1874 a group of Scottish Missionaries set off for a region surrounding Malawi in Central Africa with one goal in mind; start a successful mission which will ultimately benefit the local population. The Scots first attempt at setting up the mission is in present day Cape Maclear, Malawi. It is a beautiful spot found at the southern tip of the inland lake, also home to Africa’s only fresh water national marine park. They were commissioned by the Free Church of Scotland (a powerful entity at the time) to travel to Nyasaland near the Zambezi River to follow in the shoes of the famous Central African explorer David Livingstone.
This of course consisted of teaching Christian education and healthcare to rural village people, all the while spreading the word of God. Unfortunately this mission failed miserably as many died within the first few months of Malaria. Full stop. Time to switch up the location folks, this isn’t working so well. The missionaries decided to move the location north to the current town of Bandawe (not much to see), also along Lake Malawi. Without the help of altitude, smoke and wind, mosquitos still seem to bother the ever annoyed soul. You know that incessant buzzing in your ear as you try to fall asleep. Unfortunately (again) the second mission spot was plagued by malarial deaths and the time came again to find a more suitable location to spread the word of God.
Enter current day Livingstonia, Malawi. The lost missionary’s village in the high hills of Central Africa and Northern Malawi. This place is quaint, quiet, picturesque, and beautiful. A gem.
In 1894 Dr. Robert Law, hiked for days into the high lands surrounding the northwest coast of Lake Malawi (Nyasa). He eventually came across a spot 1,500m above the lake and 15km distance from its shores. He camped one night, marked the spot and began to build. 52 years later, he left.
The town is small and quaint, with friendly inviting people who still base their lives on giving praise and thanks to God. Sunday is the day to visit, as the church fills with at the least 500 people all singing hymns in that spine chilling perfect African harmony. There is also a wonderful museum here full of relics from the time Dr Law was established here.
SEE – Photos & Videos
GO – Getting There
The road into Livingstonia is bad… actually, it’s really bad. It took me 3 hours to hike the 15km trek up into town. There is no public transport available and it is impossible to drive the road without a 4×4 vehicle. This simple fact alone tends to keep the culture hungry crowds away and often deters many a tourist. In short, Livingstonia has been kept very much frozen in time. The 2,500 population is self-sufficient with a local hospital, elementary school, high school, bakery, small grocery shops, and a generally stable small economy. I was amazed to learn that some of the residents had never left the escarpment, and it makes sense really, with all services at your door step, why venture into the unknown. Unless you’re a traveller that is.
Do – Activities & Attractions
Coming Soon!
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Stay – Accommodation
There is only one guest house in town and it happens to be the old residence of Dr. Robert Law himself. It also serves as a restaurant, cafe and conveniently the local historical museum. Yes, you can stay in the doctors old guest rooms surrounded by 19th century antiques with a museum display and restaurant in the rooms next door. The house currently sleeps 18 people comfortably for the price of about $8USD per person, per night. Please check The Stone House, Livingstonia in advance for contact info and reservations. There are currently four cabins being built on the property to account for the growing number of tourists. This means that at capacity there would only be about 30 something visitors in the town at any given time.
Soul Rebel Lodge & Backpackers
Soul Rebel Lodge & Backpackers is a budget-friendly gem in Nkhata Bay, perfect for social travelers seeking comfort and community. Known for its private beach area, sun terrace, and lush garden, this hostel provides a relaxed environment with stunning lake and mountain views. Guests enjoy a variety of cuisines at the family-friendly restaurant, including African, Italian, and seafood options, with vegetarian and gluten-free choices. With amenities like live music, evening entertainment, and a squash court, Soul Rebel Lodge fosters a welcoming atmosphere. Located close to local attractions, it’s an ideal base for exploring while meeting fellow travelers.
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Matema Lake Shore Resort
Matema Lake Shore Resort is a serene, beachfront retreat in Matema Beach, offering direct access to the lake and stunning mountain views. Perfect for travelers seeking relaxation and adventure, the resort features a lush garden and spacious terrace. Guests enjoy comfortable accommodations with balconies, lake or mountain views, and family-friendly rooms. The resort’s restaurant serves a variety of cuisines, including African, pizza, German, and local dishes, with vegetarian options available. With hiking opportunities and nearby attractions, it’s an ideal base for a peaceful getaway, allowing guests to unwind and explore the beauty of the surroundings.
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Ndau Lodge
Ndau Lodge is a peaceful retreat in Nkhata Bay, offering a serene garden, restaurant, and bar, perfect for those seeking relaxation and comfort. Guests enjoy elegant rooms featuring private bathrooms and balconies with lake or garden views. The lodge’s restaurant serves continental, à la carte, and full English/Irish breakfasts, along with local specialties and fresh fruits. The attentive staff ensures excellent service, making guests feel at home. Located close to local attractions like Vizara Rubber Plantations Malawi and Mzuzu Wildlife Conservation Park, Ndau Lodge is an ideal base for exploring the area’s natural beauty.
Check Rates and Availability here!
Eat – Restaurants
Coming Soon!
Time – Seasonality & Schedules
Luckily Livingstonia lies high in the Nyasaland Hills and it not as affected by the Lake Malawi coastal weather. From what I gathered from my trip, there is no real better time to visit than whenever you are there which makes for an easy slot into any Africa backpacking journey. The location can get chilly at night do to the relative altitude, but it also detracts mosquitos which is amazing! I visited in August 2012 and it was great.
Safety – Possible risks
Please Note: Travel inherently comes with an element of risk (just like crossing the road does). You are putting yourself in elements that are unfamiliar and foreign to your usual lifestyle and with that, become more susceptible to fall victim those who try to play off those unfamiliar to their local scams. There are also potential dangers in the environments to which you may not be accustomed to.
Please take extra care in travelling, ensure that you have adequate medical insurance (accidents seem to happen when you least expect them), and have let a trusted colleague, family member or friend know your whereabouts and activities.
Where Sidewalks End travel advises you to travel at your own risk, and to be extra aware of your surroundings (without letting it spoiling your time).
Pay – How much does it cost?
There is no public transport up to Livingstonia from the main highway. I walked the 15km uphill to visit the town. Luckily it was a beautiful day and the views made up for the trek up. There are private cars and trucks travelling up every so often and almost all will pick up hitchhikers often for a small fee. Once in town the costs are low, food and drink are relative to Malawian local standard and you can easily get by on $30 USD per day including accommodations.
Responsible Travel – Best Practices
Coming Soon!
Reality Check – Be Aware
Livingstonia is a must-see location for anyone travelling through Malawi and I am glad that I was able to witness the town as it is today, almost exactly as it was 100 years earlier.
JOIN US! WSE Travel Packages
This sounds like quite the adventure, right? We thought so too! Though we realize it can be pretty intimidating to get out there into the world on your own, especially when travelling to some of these off the beaten path locations. We love it when our readers give it a shot and try it for themselves! In fact, please leave us feedback if you do!! If trying something ‘this’ adventurous on your own is just a bit outside of your comfort zone, WSE Travel is here to help!
Follow this link for our ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Tours – packages that are highly personalized and tailored at your request.
Malawi Travel Resources
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- Best Hotel Deals: Booking.com – Booking is the best all-around hotel booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates because it compares all the other major hotel booking sites. They have the widest selection of comfortable accommodations. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Best Tour Deals: Where Sidewalks End (of course) – WSE Travel is a boutique tour operator with specially curated tours, events, and workshops. We have many tour options available in Africa and worldwide, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, art workshops, and more!
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- Best E-Sim Provider: Airalo – Airalo is one of the most versatile e-sim providers I’ve ever found, offering e-sim in almost every country on earth! No need to take your home phone provider’s sim card out and risk losing it on your trip! As long as your phone has e-sim capabilities, Airalo has you covered at really good rates too, meaning you can be connected at all times on your trip!
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- Best Eco-Safe Travel Products: TreeTribe – This company is just awesome! From water bottles to yoga pants, wallets to bikinis, and everything in between – all their products are great quality, and eco-friendly AND they plant a tree for every purchase!
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Have you ever been to an old colonial town that still embodied much of what was left from the days of its re-discovery? Where was it, and how had another civilization changed what was there prior?
Venture up to Tanzania next and hike the Morogoro Mountains!
Please feel free to share your stories and thoughts in the comment section below!
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