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Norman Carr Cottage

Southern Lakeshore, Namakoma, Monkey Bay, Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park Malawi
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Traveler (149)
Room & Suite (14)
Dining (12)

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About

#1 of 1 villa in Cape Maclear
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.9
Value
4.7
The Norman Carr Cottage is situated on the southern lake shore of Lake Malawi, in the beautiful sheltered bay of Namakoma just 15km from Monkey Bay. A gentle and restful place where we promise you a memorable Malawian experience. You will be left with fond memories of this charming African country where time stands still, the pace is gentle and the scenery is stunning. Malawi has much to offer, sun drenched beaches, turquoise waters, abundant brightly coloured cichlid fishes, great for snorkeling and diving. Discover the magic of the open air aquariums which the southern lake shore is renowned for. We offer daily trips to various dive sites and remote islands for snorkeling and to experience the joy in the flight of the fish eagles
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Property amenities
Free parking
Pool
Outdoor pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Family

Location

Southern Lakeshore, Namakoma, Monkey Bay, Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park Malawi
Norman Carr Cottage
Getting there
Lilongwe Intl Airport
83.8 mi
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147Reviews5Q+A26Room tips
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Ian O wrote a review Dec 2023
11 contributions6 helpful votes
Our stay at Norman Carr Cottage was very much the centrepiece of our recent trip to beautiful Malawi. After the breathtaking drive through the mountains from Lilongwe we arrived at night to be greeted like long lost friends by Taffy and Leoni - eager to ensure we were well fed and watered in their dreamily rustic beachfront restaurant. To catch the sunrise over Lake Malawi - a few steps from the door of our cottage - was an absolute gift, as were our trips on the lake in Taffy’s meticulously restored motor cruiser, a treat for guests that he charges next to nothing for. Scuba diving, drinks on the lake and the chance to marvel at the spectacle of the Fish Eagles, swooping down from hundreds of yards distant to pick off their prey - all go to make this a memorable experience. And, if that wasn’t enough - the storytelling abilities of one of natures finest raconteurs, Taffy, over a wonderful home made dinner by the lake - are an absolute joy. Not only a hugely entertaining host - who would have comfortably filled a feature length episode of Whicker’s World, had the two ever met - but a great educator who, like Norman Carr - who’s resting place he now curates - knows Africa and all of its wonders and intrigues so intimately. Thank you folks! We wish you well and hope that many others shall sample your unique aptitude to great hospitality.
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Traveled 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.
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GeraldineUK wrote a review Oct 2023
Malmesbury, United Kingdom217 contributions81 helpful votes
A nice setting on The lake shore and decent rooms with veranda in a pleasant garden. Service was good and owner offers boat trips (for snorkelling or just sunset) and has kayaks. But it’s pricey and I felt a bit overpriced. The food was good but everything else is charged. I dont know whether they have a standard exchange rate but the one there was dreadful. They had warned us in advance but we didn’t have that amount of cash. It was a good stay but the pricing left me feeling we had been stung! Especially when we experienced other places And I heard a similiar story from others who visited earlier in the year The photos on Trip advisor need updating as well.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
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Donncha wrote a review Oct 2023
Ireland95 contributions35 helpful votes
+1
This is a very relaxing venue that has all the essential ingredients - cold drinks, reliable outdoor shower, quiet and good company. Best of all, it is isolated, meaning you are forced to do pretty much nothing but take it easy under the shade of a gigantic sycamore fig. The most action is paddling a kayak, or heading out on the historic boat "Alfie" to snorkel in the warm lake waters and admire the splendid fish eagles. Outside the gate is a traffic-free village shaded by baobabs, and the people are friendly, so an early morning or afternoon walk is enjoyable. There is a track to the south over the rocky headland to the next beach and village. At night, I could hear bush babies and Pel's owl in the tree above, and mornings were announced by the vervets landing on the tin roof as they came down from their nocturnal perch.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled 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.
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Dave D wrote a review Sep 2023
37 contributions8 helpful votes
There was a huge amount that we really enjoyed about our four night stay here. Our room was spacious, comfortable and had a fun outside shower. Taffy was a wonderful host with many interesting anecdotes and useful bits of information. The beachside location was idyllic, especially as Taffy had an arrangement with the curio sellers so that they only came to the beach for a specified hour or so each day. There were loungers on the beach and a comfy area on the covered deck. We particularly enjoyed being able to use the kayaks whenever we wanted. There were great trips available to watch the fish eagles being fed, snorkel and visit the local market. We were a bit disappointed with the snorkelling, because there wasn’t the range of fish that we had read about. This wasn’t the fault of Norman Carr Cottage. We were told that the problem is because the lake is being overfished. The trip to the market was most enjoyable because we were not hassled to buy things the way we had been in Lilongwe. The food was consistently very good. Breakfast was a full English but with a Malawian twist, e.g. avocado and an excellent tomato relish. Dinner was a buffet of 6 items and more interesting than the other places that we stayed. We loved the creamed courgette!
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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Aamir wrote a review Jul 2022
9 contributions4 helpful votes
This is the place you want to go and forget about the troubles in your life! The place is managed by the owner Taffy himself, whose humor will constantly keep you smiling, and his staff must be psychic to sense your need before you even have to request anything. The food was both delightful and you felt like you were at a friend's place rather than at normal cottage stay. The rooms are very comfortable and taking a shower being watched by monkeys was an interesting experience in itself. The lake looks absolutely spectacular while you enjoy a drink in the main hall, coupled with the sunset boat cruise which are so much fun. I would highly recommend you stay here, especially after the crazy road trips to even get to this part of Malawi, to find that sense of serenity & relaxation that most chase after. I would love to return and stay here for a longer period of time next time around, and hopefully share even more of my amazing experience.
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Date of stay: July 2022
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.
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Xena D wrote a review Jun 2022
Poole, United Kingdom64 contributions11 helpful votes
Loved this place. We felt like we were staying with old friends. Taffy and Leoni are the best hosts. He is funny, informative full of stories and enjoyable conversations especially with a few sundowners. She is warm and caring and works hard behind the scenes to make sure guests are well taken care of and comfortable. Rooms are spacious and clean and well designed with a nice sitting area and fabulous king sized bed with good quality linen and pillows- perfect after camping for a week. The boat trips are well worthwhile and good value for money to see the fish eagles and do some snorkelling. The staff are friendly and attentive and keen to help. There are plenty of wooden loungers on the beach with cushions brought to you by the staff so a great way to enjoy the beach. To top it off of course there is the sense of being somewhere special in Norman Carrs own place he built for some well earned R&R. Thanks for a memorable and fantastic stay and with sn unexpected pleasure of an encounter with ‘Pickering’ - perfect
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled 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.
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Anouske wrote a review Feb 2022
1 contribution
Our stay an Norman Carr Cottage was one that soothed our souls and filled our tummies to the point of bursting and blessed us with quality time with friends and family. The food was incredible and the rooms are well appointed and spacious. Their staff are friendly and attentive, always ready to assist. The absolute serenity at Norman Carr is something we have not experienced anywhere else. This is the place to rest and connect with your people. Thank you to Taffy and Leoni for your funny stories and wonderful hospitality. Truly magnificent.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
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.
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Adira-Kulani wrote a review Oct 2019
43 contributions
+1
The staff welcomed us and made us feel at home. We enjoyed fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, the captain of the boat feeding the 🦅 eagles, playing football with the locals, birdwatching, the delicious food, and the sunset cruise. Thanks for the life time memories!
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
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.
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Retired_Stockevik wrote a review Sep 2019
Stockholm121 contributions52 helpful votes
This is a small (6 rooms) hotel hidden away in a small traditional village on Lake Malawi. It is run by Leoni and Taffy, a very friendly and welcoming couple. The cottage has a long history as a private place before being made into a hotel. The rooms are just on the beach front, shaded by huge Mango and Fig trees, with dozens of Baobab trees decorating the surroundings. The beach is sand and grass, and a rickety jetty takes you out to the clear Lake Malawi waters. All meals are included, basic but well cooked. The rooms are large and comfortable, in need of some maintenance, but that only adds to the charm of the place.
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Date of stay: September 2019
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Roddy M wrote a review Sep 2019
Edinburgh, United Kingdom9 contributions1 helpful vote
Slow the pace of your Malawi travels with a few days relaxing on the shores of Lake Malawi, in the former holiday cottage of pioneering hunter-turned-conservationist Norman Carr, now run by the convivial Taffy. The hotel runs morning and afternoon trips on its 70-year old launch, the MV Alfie, from where you can see fish eagles coming to the boat to eat, snorkel for cichlids, or just take another G&T as the sun sets.
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Date of stay: July 2019
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.
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PRICE RANGE
$121 - $230 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
norman carr cottage hotel cape maclear
LOCATION
MalawiLake Malawi National ParkCape Maclear
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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NORMAN CARR COTTAGE - Prices & Villa Reviews (Malawi/Cape Maclear)

Frequently Asked Questions about Norman Carr Cottage
What are some of the property amenities at Norman Carr Cottage?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Norman Carr Cottage?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Norman Carr Cottage?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Norman Carr Cottage?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Norman Carr Cottage have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the lake view available here.