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Huntingdon House, Thyolo

Steeped in old-world charm, the stately, colonial Huntington House finds itself enclosed by rolling hills, verdant tea plantations and the beautiful Shire Highlands in southern Malawi. 

Originally built in the 1920s by Maclean Kay and still run by members of the same family, Huntingdon House offers a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era. The atmosphere is that of a ‘home away from home’, with just five spacious ensuite rooms ensuring a personal experience for every guest. Named and uniquely decorated after their original role in the household (Mother’s Room, The Nursery, The Chapel etc.) each room is delightfully light and airy with four-poster beds, high ceilings and antique furniture. The private patios, meanwhile, provide the perfect spot for a cup of tea in the morning.   

Days on the Satemwa Tea Estate, which produces some of the country’s finest teas, are entirely at your leisure. Tea tastings are naturally on the menu, as are guided walks through Satemwa’s wild coffee fields, hiking to nearby streams and mountain biking up and down nearby dirt roads. The truly adventurous may want to challenge the 3,000m summit of Mt Mulanje, whilst birders can go in search of the endangered Thyolo Alethe. You can even play a round of croquet or boulle on the manicured lawns. 

Huntingdon House, at a glance  

  • Stunning colonial boutique guesthouse set on the Satemwa Tea Estate in southern Malawi’s Shire Highlands  
  • Third-generation family-owned tea and coffee estate built by Maclean Kay 
  • Surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and fine old trees 
  • Five individually decorated ensuite bedrooms oozing old-world charm  
  • Comfortable king-size beds with 100% cotton linen 
  • There is also a self-contained cottage on the crowds  
  • Splendid views of Mount Mulanje and the Shire Valley 
  • Delicious meals served in private settings  
  • Tea-inspired cocktail menu  

For leisure and pleasure  

  • Learn about the tea production process on a tea tasting session  
  • Enjoy mountain biking across dirt roads and tracks  
  • Hike 170km of nature paths  
  • Take guided walks through the estate’s beautiful coffee fields  
  • Climb the summit of Mt Mulanje 
  • Excellent birding opportunities  
  • Play a round of croquet or badminton on the lawn  
  • Enjoy tennis, gold and swimming at the neighbouring Thyolo Sports Club 
  • Conveniently located for day trips to Majete Game Reserve, Zomba Plateau, Blantyre or Mulanje 
SEE OUR OTHER HOTELS

  • We have travelled with TUTC six times, the most recent was to New Zealand last year. The trip was very well organised as usual, with excellent accommodation and a wide variety of experiences. We had booked to go to Australia with them this year but due to Covid this was cancelled, Ultimate handled the situation very professionally and promptly refunded the whole of our deposit without any quibble.

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    DN, August 2020