Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?
African Pitta (Usually visits us in November to March).
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
Nestled on Nankoma Island within Lake Malawi National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — Blue Zebra Island Lodge has been welcoming guests since October 2013.
Giant Kingfisher
How best to travel to your lodge?
Choose between a two-hour drive from Lilongwe (Malawi’s capital) to our boat point, followed by a 20-minute speed boat transfer from the mainland to the lodge. Or take a 25-minute Charter flight from Lilongwe Airport to Salima Airstrip, a short 10-minute drive to the boat launch point, followed by a 20-minute boat ride from the mainland to the lodge.2-hour drive from Lilongwe (Malawi’s capital) to our boat point. Or fly on a charter flight from Lilongwe.
Robin-chat
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?
While we are a lodge, we also offer tours around Malawi with our very own in-house birding guide. Birding tours need to be booked in advance at the lodge.
Pied Kingfisher
What makes your lodge special?
Located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blue Zebra Island Lodge is the only lodge on the Nankoma Island Archipelago, part of Lake Malawi National Park. Just a two-hour drive from the nation’s capital, it offers an easily accessible island escape — ideal for birders, nature lovers, and those seeking tranquility surrounded by pristine wilderness.
Woodland Kingfisher
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?
- African Fish Eagle (All year)
- African Pitta (Nov – Apr)
- African Paradise Flycatcher (All year)
- Black-throated Wattle-eye (All year)
- Black-headed Oriole (All year)
- Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Nov – Apr)
- Copper Sunbird (All year)
- Green-backed Heron (All year)
- Red-capped Robin-chat (All year)
- Livingstone’s Flycatcher (All year)
- Little Bee-eater (All year)
- Malachite Kingfisher (All year)
- Cinnamon-breasted Bunting (All year)
- Hamerkop (All year)
- Reed Cormorant (All year)
- Narina Trogon (All year)
- Pied Kingfisher (All year)
- Speckled Mousebird (All year)
- Trumpeter Hornbill (All year)
- Western Barn Owl (All year)
- White-browed Robin-chat (All year)
- Woodland Kingfisher (Nov – Apr)
- Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird (All year)
Black-throated Wattle-eye
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
It depends on what you are hoping for. To see the African Pitta – Nov to March. If you combine a visit to our lodge with a Zambia safari holiday, the drier months are better for seeing the birds that are here all year round.
African Paradise Flycatcher
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
Yes, as an island-based lodge within Lake Malawi National Park, we are deeply committed to preserving the environment and supporting local conservation initiatives. Every guest’s stay contributes directly through concession and park fees that help fund the management of Lake Malawi National Park and the Maleri Islands. We also actively support the park’s scouts stationed on the island by providing food rations, accommodation, and fuel for their patrols. During the African Pitta nesting season, we close off specific pathways and set up viewing hides to minimize disturbance and protect this rare species.
Trumpeter Hornbill
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
The arrival is via speedboat; your feet might get wet, so it is a good idea to have shorts and flip-flops. Visitors should bring good closed walking shoes, binoculars, a bird guide, a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle.
Malachite Kingfisher
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
Yes, we have plenty on offer:
- Snorkeling excursions
- Motorized water-sports
- Boat cruises
- Lodge Spa
- Scenic Flights over the islands (subject to availability)
- Nature trails (included)
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling at the lodge
- Sunset cruises (included for international guests who spend 3 nights or longer)
- Infinity pool
- Volleyball & lawn games
- Games room – Darts/Pool Table
- Yoga mats
- Cocktail Bar
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
For accommodation at the lodge = info@bluezebra.mw
For birding tours and tours around Malawi = tours@bluezebra.mw
All photos by Blue Zebra Lodge. Cover photo by Michael Wendel. Pool photo by Jenn Wendel. Bird photos by Dimitri Giannakis
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
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