Monkey Bay Tourist Places to Visit in Monkey Bay, Mangochi, Malawi, South Africa, Africa

Monkey Bay Tourist Places to Visit in Monkey Bay, Mangochi, Malawi, South Africa, Africa

Monkey Bay is a town situated in the Mangochi District in the Southern Region of the southeastern African country, Malawi, around 200 km east of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. It is one of the top tourist destinations of Malawi, manly noted for its spectacular beaches on the shore of Lake Malawi, which are famous all around the country. Monkey Bay has facilities of an internet café, a police station, a supermarket and a hospital. The geographical coordinates of Monkey Bay are 14°05′00″ S 34°55′00″ E and its elevation measures 500 meters.

 

History of Monkey Bay:

Before coming under the British rule, Monkey Bay had seen the rule of the Muslim Yao chief, Mponda, until the end of the 19th century. Monkey Bay also saw the death of the first Bishop of Likoma, Chauncy Maples, who drowned in Lake Malawi in the vicinity of Monkey Bay.

 

Connectivity to Monkey Bay:

The Lilongwe International Airport is the Malawian’s important airport and the major closest airport to Monkey Bay, situated around 210 km away from the midpoint of the town of Monkey Bay. This airport covers Addis Ababa, Lusaka, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Blantyre, Likoma, Mfuwe, Lusaka, Harare and many other African destinations.

The bus connection of Monkey Bay is expanded to all the prime cities and towns of Malawi, including the national capital, Lilongwe and Blantyre.

 

Shopping and Food in Monkey Bay:

Monkey Bay houses a supermarket, a traditional market and many other smaller shops. The town is also home to an internet café, food corners with both local and international dishes but there is no bank or ATM in Monkey Bay, for which visitors are needed to reach Mangochi, which is around 60 km away from Monkey Bay.

 

Things to do in Monkey Bay:

  • Boat cruising
  • Kayaking
  • Diving
  • Snorkeling

 

Tourist Attractions in Monkey Bay:

 

Beaches in Monkey Bay:

The beaches of Monkey Bay are considered as one of the best of Malawi that are highly admired by overseas tourists for tidiness and pleasant environment. There are also many diving schools in Monkey Bay.

 

Cape Maclear:

The Cape Maclear is the busiest resort in Malawi on the shore of Lake Malawi. It is situated around 18 km northwest of Monkey Bay, offering wide range of outdoor activities like snorkeling, hiking, boat cruises, kayaking, and diving. Bars, restaurants, and lodges are plenty in number in Cape Maclear.

Lake Malawi National Park:

The Lake Malawi National Park is UNESCO designated World Heritage Site, covering an area of 94 km². It was established to protect fish and aquatic habitats in the year 1980. Population of baboons, a huge baobab tree and many small islands are its highlights.

 

Mangochi:

Mangochi is a tourist favor town, situated around 60 km southeast of Monkey Bay, housing Lake Malawi Museum, Clock Tower, Shire Bridge and many other winsome manmade and natural tourist attractions.

 

Other attractive places near Monkey Bay include:

  • Religious sites in Mangochi
  • Shire Bridge in Mangochi
  • Lake Malawi Museum
  • Chichiri Shopping Center
  • Chichiri Museum
  • Lengwe National Park
  • Mandala House
  • Mount Mulanje
  • Chifundo Artisan’s Network Art Studio Shop
  • The Way of the Cross
  • Liwonde National Park
  • St Michael and All Angels Church

 

Ideal time to visit Monkey Bay:

The pleasant weather of Monkey Bay makes it as a year round destination, although to experience the best of Monkey Bay’s beaches, visitors can choose any month between May and October.

 

Where to stay in Monkey Bay?

Monkey Bay is a colorful town housing many standard hotels with upgraded facilities providing healthy and memorable hospitality service to visitors coming to the town from different regions of Africa. Also it is advised for visitors to keep some local currency in pocket as some hotels in Monkey Bay don’t accept cards. Some nice hotels in and around Monkey Bay are given below:

  • Villa Tafika Lodge
  • Alcon Cottages
  • Monkey Bay Mufasa Backpacker Lodges
  • Sun n Sand Holiday Resort
  • Sunbird Nkopola Lodge
  • The Makokola Retreat
  • Twin Towers Lodge
  • Nyanja Eco Lodges
  • Mpale Cultural Village
  • Palm Beach Leisure Resort
  • Namizimu Forest Retreat
  • Boadzulu Holiday Resort
  • Nanchengwa Lodge

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