Welcome

Butterfly Space is a non-profit, eco-friendly lodge located on the crystal clear shores of Lake Malawi in Nkhata Bay. With bespoke accommodations ranging from dormitories to en-suite chalets, a lakeside bar and restaurant, everyone is welcome to enjoy this truly special place.

The lodge supports various community-based initiatives both on and off-site and hosts volunteers and interns to help benefit and grow opportunities within the local community.

Who We Are

A UK registered charity, trying to make positive changes in Nkhata Bay by providing a unique space for travelers, volunteers & our community to enjoy, learn & support projects both on and off-site. The owners, friends who met in Malawi, bought Butterfly Space in 2007, intending to develop this community hub to encourage ethical volunteering & provide educational, informational, practical & creative opportunities, which it has done so successfully for many years. This space is respectful of the environment with a focus on sustainability & green initiatives, offering a diverse range of projects & opportunities to both local & international volunteers or interns.

The non-profit status allows guest to help us financially support the diverse community projects which have successfully provided opportunities and brought together travelers and the community for over twelve years.

Chosen as Lonely Planet’s ‘Top Pick’ for accommodation in Nkhata Bay in the latest edition of Southern Africa, the lodge was highlighted for its picturesque beauty, and we are now excited be featured on MalawiTourism.com.

Our Community Projects

Take a look at the diverse projects that our non-profit lodge supports!

Stepping Stones International Primary School

Women's Groups

HIV Support

Malawi School Permaculture Clubs (MSPC)

Kandoli FM Radio Initiative

Community Information Centre

Butterfly Space Youth Club

Dsability Groups- Vocational Training & Support

Non Profit Eco-Lodge

From naturally shaded lakeside camp grounds, to secluded bespoke self contained chalets, there’s something for all requirements & budgets. You will love our picturesque & sociable lakeside bar which serves delicious cocktails, beers and wines. The restaurant overlooks the lake and rocky mountains of Nkhata Bay, offering a varied delicious international menu, including smoothies & desserts. Stroll through our permaculture gardens, use our gym or free snorkels or just relax on our private beach and hammocks & enjoy this space!

Why Choose Malawi?

A small and easy to navigate country offering an abundance of activities and natural beauty, Malawi is the perfect country for all types on travelers, no matter what the budget. Labelled as the ‘warm heart of Africa’ because of the kind and helpful nature of its people, Malawi always makes its visitors feel welcomed and safe. An abundance of wildlife and nature can be enjoyed all over the country boasting many affordable game reserves, national parks, world class hiking at Mount Mulanje, and of course its prized jewel, the Lake which you can explore on scuba safaris, snorkel, swim or just enjoy its golden sandy beaches and stunning views. The adventure of a lifetime awaits!

Why Nkhata Bay?

The lively market town of Nkhata Bay, with its striking harbor, is surrounded by sheltered bays with forested, rocky headlands. The crystal clear waters here host abundant colourful fish and it is so large you feel as though you are swimming in the ocean! The town centre is full of life, with vibrant markets, restaurants and ample craft shops. The sense of community is truly the best part of Nkhata Bay, along with the abundance of activities for visitors to enjoy which include village hikes, overnight canoe trips, drumming workshops, boat trips and scuba diving.

What People Say

Butterfly Space

4.3

Based on 40 reviews

Mahana Myriam

11:47 26 Nov 21

Amazing location and view. Very nice vibes and people. Great concept. Value for money +++.

Torbjörn Wester

14:30 24 Nov 21

Wonderful place with the lake as your neighbor. Friendly, including atmosphere makes Butterfly feel like your home.... It’s by far the best lodge to stay in Malawi if you want to be in one place for a longer period of time. I worked here from my laptop for 17 days and thanks to excellent cellphone reception internet is reliable and fast even by European standards.Food is also great.read more

Jeremy Whipp

10:38 29 Oct 21

The best place in Malawi by far. Run by the most awesome crew of Josie, Holly, Stefan and their team, they make such... welcoming, fun, and hospitable hosts. We have lived our time here so much, the food is delicious, great access to the lake via a private beach, and butterfly is such a force for good in the community. Couldn’t rate it higher!read more

Stephan van den Berg

00:19 14 Oct 21

Not the best if you want a quiet night of sleep. Music till after 02:00.

Sophie Schegg

11:42 05 Oct 21

The place is beautiful and staff are amazing. Good vibes ! Lots of travelers and many activites to do.

precious divala

05:25 04 Oct 21

Liked the food

Herbert Bolokonya

18:51 30 Sep 21

Best place for a tranquil experience. If you want to connect with nature this is the place to be. Not 5 star but you... will enjoy the viewread more

Lee West

04:47 07 Sep 21

Didn’t stay here but went to some of their parties/gatherings on the beach. Great music and art. Good atmosphere.

Luke Wetherall

09:47 18 May 21

The best lodge in Nkhata bay! Right on the shores of Lake Malawi. Brilliant atmosphere and comfortable rooms. The... owners are super nice and will go out of their way to make sure you have the best time. Top tip, say yes to the organised the boat ride!read more

Travel Malawi with Mervis

10:09 20 Apr 21

Affordable rates, unique accomodation, good vibes and great hosts, Good food and it's an eco lodge. I highly recommend.

Throttle Adventures

17:02 05 Nov 19

This backpackers is simply awesome. Built on a hill so don’t expect flush toilets. They use composite toilets and... showers which are great. The staff are amazing. The food delicious. Lots of things to do around. Kayaking from the backpackers. Nice pub by the lake with good music. We had a great time here and extended our stay like 3 times.read more

Jill Kelsall

13:10 16 Sep 19

This is a beautiful setting and indeed the people are kind and welcoming. They have good live music some nights. ... However, the Butterfly Space suffers from poor management. In our four days here their own "treated" water supply ran dry several times, so toilets could not be flushed etc. for several hours. When we brought this to their attention, they said they'd turn it on even though the chlorine had not had time to take effect. I, my partner and at least two other guests became ill in this time. With dubious "water treatment", and facing a miserable gastric illness, staving off dehydration by using our Grayl bottle was difficult as no water came through the taps. In addition they ran out of bottled water on the day we arrived and over all four subsequent days no bottled water was available. The staff and the guests wash clothes in the lake with OMO. The kitchen ran out of gas for cooking and substituted charcoal, despite their so called "eco" brand. The menu is problematic as they have none of the ingredients required to make most of the dishes such as fruit, milk, and other basics. The rooms are grubby, paint is faded or dirty and the bedding is coarse and hot. Mattresses are very thin. The common areas are overrun with ants and the bathrooms host palmetto bugs (big cockroaches). The bar man is distracted or asleep most of the time and seems burdened by simple requests. Laundry was done and returned dry but so wrinkled that I had to wet it and hang it to dry again. It is a shame that more energy is not devoted to maintenance and provisioning, as this space is wonderful and the lake is entrancing.read more

Stefan Karakashian

12:21 06 Aug 19

Butterfly Space is a warm and friendly environment in which I was made to feel right at home during my stay. This... non-profit lodge supports a wide range of exceptional community projects which are well worth getting involved in. We also had many lovely times chilling on the decked area next to the bar looking out onto Lake Malawi. Best of luck!read more

Gomezgani mhango

23:06 01 Jul 19

Great place to be. I enjoyed the sunrise, it was beautiful along the stress of Lake Malawi. Good food, stylish... apartments. Great customer service. Thumbs up.read more

Jeroen Annelies

13:10 06 Jun 19

We love staying at Butterfly, especially now they have done a lot of work recently. The place is so much nicer and... cleaner than it was before! You can see they have new management with eye for detail who puts love into the lodge.The philosophy of Butterfly is fantastic; their love for the community, the nice mix of locals, expats and travelers in the bar, and not to forget - one of the best places for a sundowner.read more

Next Reviews

Welcome

Who We Are

Our Community Projects

Take a look at the diverse projects that our non-profit lodge supports!

Non Profit Eco-Lodge

Why Choose Malawi?

Why Nkhata Bay?

What People Say

Volunteer

Subscribe to our newsletter

Don't miss quarterly updates on Butterfly and our community projects!

Recommended By:

Welcome

Who We Are

Our Community Projects

Take a look at the diverse projects that our non-profit lodge supports!

Non Profit Eco-Lodge

Why Choose Malawi?

Why Nkhata Bay?

What People Say

Volunteer

Subscribe to our newsletter

Don't miss quarterly updates on Butterfly and our community projects!

Recommended By:

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