Joma Adventure Lodge

Set on the shore of Leopard Bay near Salima, Joma Adventure Lodge looks straight out over Lake Malawi. The beach in front of the lodge is private and used for swimming, kayaking and boat rides. Nine rooms, each named and decorated differently, run from the bright, double-bedded Bamboo to the earth-toned Aztec, all with private bathrooms and a view of the water. Mornings open with breakfast at the bar and restaurant, where the lake stretches out in front of the terrace. Inland, two game reserves sit within a short drive: Kuti, 30 km off, holds grazers but no predators and can be toured on foot or horseback, while Mkuyu, 18 km away, mixes forest, open ground and swamp and adds ostriches to the mix. A guided walk through a nearby crocodile farm brings visitors close to animals at every stage of growth. Hikers can tackle the seven summits above Senga Bay, a six-hour route that is steep going. The fishing village of Lifuwu sits close by, giving the lodge a working, lived-in edge rather than a resort feel. Airport transfers and luggage storage are arranged on request.