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Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel

3.0 star property

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View from property - Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel (Zomba)
Free continental breakfast - Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel (Zomba)
Outdoor pool - Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel (Zomba)
Garden view - Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel (Zomba)
Minibar, in-room safe, desk, soundproofing - Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel (Zomba)
At Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel, you can look forward to free continental breakfast, a garden, and a playground. Active travelers can enjoy amenities like ecotours and mountain biking at this hotel. The on-site restaurant, The Mulunguzi Restaurant, features international cuisine. In addition to dry cleaning/laundry services and a bar, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning
  • Business services

Room options

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room

Minibar, in-room safe, desk, soundproofing

Deluxe Double Room

  • 35 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Room (Hillside)

Minibar, in-room safe, desk, soundproofing

Deluxe Room (Hillside)

  • 40 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Superior Room

Minibar, in-room safe, desk, soundproofing

Superior Room

  • 30 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Suite

Minibar, in-room safe, desk, soundproofing

Suite

  • 55 sq m
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

About the neighborhood

Located in Zomba, Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel is in a rural area and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Mandala Falls and Williams Falls. Take an opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails. Visit our Zomba travel guide
Map
71 Zomba Plateau Road, Zomba, Southern Region, 304112

What's nearby

  • Mandala Falls
    3 min drive - 1.2 miles
  • University of Malawi
    12 min drive - 5.5 miles

Getting around

  • Blantyre (BLZ-Chileka Intl.)
    112 min drive

Restaurants

  • Kefi Hotel Café
    14 min drive
  • casa rossa
    10 min drive
  • Vibes
    16 min drive
  • Kips Express
    13 min drive
  • Chimtambo investments
    16 min drive

About this property

Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel

Hotel in the mountains
At Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel, you can look forward to free continental breakfast, a garden, and a playground. Active travelers can enjoy amenities like ecotours and mountain biking at this hotel. The on-site restaurant, The Mulunguzi Restaurant, features international cuisine. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a bar.
You'll also find perks like:
  • Free self parking
  • Bike rentals, a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), and free newspapers
  • 1 meeting room, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage
Room features
All guestrooms at Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel have perks such as 24-hour room service and air conditioning, in addition to amenities like free WiFi and desk chairs.
More conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Showers and free toiletries
  • TVs with satellite channels
  • Balconies or patios, wardrobes/closets, and coffee/tea makers

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Bastions Bar
  • The Mulunguzi Restaurant

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Ecotours
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Mountain biking
  • Playground

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Playground
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • Business center
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • In the mountains

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV with satellite channels

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Phone
  • Safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight

Contactless check-in available

Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Property payment types

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit, and window guards
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Frequently asked questions

Is Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. After-hours check-in is not available.

What time is check-out at Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Does Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle.

Where is Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel located?

Situated in the mountains, this hotel is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Mandala Falls and within 3 mi (5 km) of Williams Falls and University of Malawi. Queen's View is 3.1 mi (5 km) away.

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.8

Cleanliness

9.0

Location

8.4

Staff & service

8.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 44 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 21 out of 44 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 7 out of 44 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Without a doubt this is the best place to stay in the Zomba area. If I returned to Zomba, this is the only place to stay even if it meant driving up and down the mountain everyday because, otherwise, Zomba does not have any other truly nice places to stay. The Ku Chawe is excellent in every respect...food, service, friendly staff, and well-maintained gorgeous grounds and views of the valley. Beware the baboons as they are out of hand and the WIFI is not reliable unless you are in one of the main areas. Doesn't work well in the rooms. But this is a great place to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alice

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Sunbird Ku Chawe is situated high up on the Zomba Plateau - one definitely needs a car to get there. It has perfectly manicured beautiful gardens. Even though it was very hot the time that I was there, there is always a cool breeze as it is so high up! I loved my room with the views of the Zomba town & far off mountains such as Chiradzulu and Mulanje. Had a wet room and modern fixtures in the bathroom. There was a good selection of dishes for breakfast and varied menu for dinner. Although the menus seem to be the same in all the hotels I stayed in: Chigumula, Zomba & Blantyre. The food, however, is tasty and fresh. Again the staff were very nice and welcoming: Dumisani, who is so knowledgeable of the history of the Ngoni people (my roots), Miss Loveness, the restaurant supervisor, Gobery the manager and Mr Yason the big boss were all very attentive to ensure a comfortable stay. Second day in Zomba, we hiked about 12 km with my guide. We did William's Falls, Emperor's & Queen's Views, Chagwa lake and Mulunguzi Dam. That was exhilarating! There is so much more to do... but that is for another time. I loved my stay on the plateau. The town of Zomba itself could benefit from regeneration - it is so rundown!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stunning location.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Reynold

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Positive was the friendliness and competency of staff. Negative was the absence of the once unique trout dish.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Benjamin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beautiful location on top of Zomba mountain. Rooms are pleasant and staff are accommodating. Wifi does not reach all rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Ku Chawe's situation and views are uniquely beautiful. The buildings somehow achieve the impression of a mountain hideout. Staff service was very good, going out of their way to please. Having stayed there before I was pleasantly surprised with the improvement in food standards, particularly in the evening. However, its a good idea to order well in advance if you don't want to be waiting at the table for too long. They do need to improve their culture with regard to coffee - for the price charged one would expect a far better service around it. Strangely penny pinching with regard to amenities, low quality toilet tissue provided with only one roll in the bathroom, only one towel when we checked in as a couple with a young child. Nevertheless, overall a very pleasant stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Bernd

Disliked: Staff & service

stunning location

The place lives from its stunning location and the beautiful environment up on the Zomba Plateau and the breath-taking view from the terrace and the garden. In therms of service, restaurant, maintenance and internet access, there is still space for improvement.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great views. Staff were very friendly and tried hard but they lack training.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful location with a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Verified

6/10 Okay

Crofts

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful view from our room. Well appointed room. Poor menu choices at dinner ( no filet, no T bone and sirloin was not sirloin. Stafff obliging but let down by kitchen .! Breakfast is a great improvement.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Guillermo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

A nice hotel surrounded by amazing nature

A perfect place to experience nature in Malawi's former capital city
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A stunning location and friendly helpful staff. The restaurant was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Reidar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Hvis en skal til Malawi, er Ku Chawe en fantastisk plass å reise til. Hotellet ligger på Zomba-platået, så høyt oppe i fjellene at en slipper å tenke på myggnetting om natta. Høyden gjør også at det blir litt svalere her, og det kommer godt med i en del av verden hvor det kan bli ganske varmt for en nordboer. Hotellet ligger idyllisk til med fantastisk utsikt over Zomba og dalen. Her er det mange fine turmuligheter oggode sjanser for å oppleve en skikkelig afrikansk solnedgang. Hotellet er reint og fint, og det er god mat i restauranten, selv om jeg av erfaring velger å være forsiktig med fisken. Rommene er romslige og gode, og du får ofte besøk av sjimpanser rett utenfor.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Site and view excellent. No fitness centre. Evening buffet not to same standard as a la carte menu
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good hotel, fab location and good facilities. Could do with a refurb.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Charles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very good. Some of buildings and infrastucture are aging. For example, the bathrooms look old. Compared to other accommodation in Zomba Ku Chawe is outstanding. Excellent location on top of the mountain.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Luckson

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The hospitality was superb. However, some foodstuff like ‘nsima’ needs to be well prepared as we had to return the first dish. Thanks
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Sakurai

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

自然の中でゆっくり

マラウイ在住日本人です。家族が訪マした際に利用しました。ただひたすら自然に囲まれてゆっくりしたい方にオススメです。wifiもあります。近くにお店はないので街で買い物してから向かうのがおススメです。レストランも美味しいですが、ワインの種類がもう少しあればベター！
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Really lovely stay. The log fire in the bedroom real bonus
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tyler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Quiet and well kept

Excellent staff who were able to answer questions for those looking to explore the Zomba Plateau area. Also the room was nice, and was even able to have the fireplace lit for us on a cold evening on only a minutes notice. The food was very good compared to a lot of places we have stayed in Malawi. The breakfast buffet was a nice touch to finish off our morning.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Wilco

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service

Amazing view

The hotel has an amazing view over the town and area.It is situated high on a mountain.Dinner and breakfast was excellent. The rooms are old but very spacious and clean.I think the mattresses need replacement, but overall I would rate the comfort above average.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2017
Verified

8/10 Good

nancy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great location/beautiful view

The staff was very helpful and friendly. The location - atop a mountain - was beautiful. Food was exceptionally good.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rethabile

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

The hotel has a beautiful view

Good for just chilling. The outside view from the hotel rooms are beautifull. The hotel services are not the best, but for the location they are good enough.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bjørn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
En fantastisk perle på Zomba Platau
Verified

8/10 Good

Roger

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Vackraste utsikten

Hotellet är trevligt och det ligger på nära 1800m höjd med en fantastisk utsikt. Rummen är rymliga och med bra säng och stort badrum. Maten är medelmåttig.