Bua River Lodge
Bua River Lodge will re-open in August 2026
After a short closure, Bua River Lodge will be back in operation as of August 2026, with some new owners but the same wonderful river views and authentic safari experiences.
Welcome to Bua River Lodge
We’d like to introduce you to our little family in this gorgeous location and hopefully inspire you to visit us and Malawi. You can read more about our journey and the wonderful staff that make up Bua River Lodge, or find out what experiences we can offer or just learn more about the area.
Reach out and give us a call.
Takulandilani ku Bua River Lodge.
Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve is located in central Malawi, on the eastern side of the Great Rift Valley. It lies between Lake Malawi to the east and the Kasungu District to the west, covering about 1,800 square kilometers, making it the largest and oldest reserve in the country. We are about 200 kilometers north of the capital city, Lilongwe, and can be reached by road.
Explore, experience and make memories
What’s waiting for you at Bua?
Rest and relax in comfortable tents
Our tents are set on raised wooden decks and shaded by traditional thatched roofs. Inside, you’ll find a spacious bed with mosquito netting, a stylish outside en-suite bathroom with hot water, solar power, and a private veranda – the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee while elephants or bushbucks may wander by.
Giving back to the community
Bua River Lodge is proud to be part of the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve family and to work hand-in-hand with our neighboring communities.
Our presence contributes directly to the local economy. Wherever possible, we source everything locally—whether it’s thatch for our lodge roof (over 17,000 bundles!), wood, fresh produce, or fabric. Our team is made up almost entirely of local staff, and we regularly bring in additional casual workers for extra projects.
By staying with us, you become part of the story. A portion of every stay goes directly to African Parks, the incredible team managing the Reserve and supporting vital community initiatives.
Bua River Lodge for great adventures
Deep in the heart of Malawi, where the Bua River winds its way through dense miombo forests, lies Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve — a land of wild beauty and untamed adventure.
One morning, just as the sun began to rise over the Rift Valley escarpment, a group of travelers set out on foot with a local guide. The air was cool, filled with the calls of hornbills and the rustle of leaves. Their adventure began with a trek along the riverbank, where fresh elephant tracks hinted at the giants that had passed only hours before.
Moving quietly, they suddenly spotted a herd of sable antelope grazing in the tall grasses — their curved horns glistening in the light. Later, by a bend in the river, they watched a pair of crocodiles slide silently into the water, leaving only ripples behind.
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