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Reviews of Soul Rebel Lodge & Backpackers

Nkhata Bay, Nkhata Bay, Malawi

#1 of 3 hotels in Nkhata Bay

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 69 hostel reviews

9.1

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.3

  • Comfort

    9.3

  • Location

    9.7

  • Facilities

    8.8

  • Staff

    9.7

  • Value for money

    9.0

  • Free WiFi

    7.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 23 August 2025

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No hot water for 3 days in a row despite raising the issue mid-trip. Wish they would invest in some more comfortable seating on the balcony and in lounge area.

    Everyone working there is so friendly and makes the stay very special. The tours offered are good quality and employ local guides. The waterside accomodation is so relaxing - a privilege to waste away days with the view of the water and village life. Food was decent.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 August 2025

    10
    Our private room over the water was Idyllic,
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 3 nights

    The stairs are a bit challenging, but it's part of being at water's edge.

    Wonderful setting. Friendly and helpful staff. Delicious food. Good pricing.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 August 2025

    8.0
    Nice place
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was not easy to get hot water but they provided a hot water bucket. Be ready to go up and down some stairs.

    The first night there were some problems with the room when we arrived but they were accommodating. . The staff is super friendly, helpful (Ronaldo, Leman, German, Patrick... All of them) The food is good and not expensive. Nice terrace and lounge area. Just by the lake with easy access and across the pier so very convenient if you are taking a ferry /boat. The dorm for 4 people is great. We loved it and came back aftee visiting other places up north.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 8 August 2025

    9.0
    Beautiful and relaxed place on Lake Malawi‘s shore
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful location at the shore of lake Malawi. The 2 cottages built on stilts in the lake are especially beautiful - they seem to float on the water. City Centre and the port with the boats to Likoma Island are in walking distance

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: 30 June 2025

    10
    The helpful and friendly owner and staff made me feel at ease throughout my trip and stay! Was the perfect getaway🤗
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The lodge is located right in front of Lake Malawi, offering a stunning view! Really enjoyed the peaceful sound of the waves, watching the sunrise in the morning, and the stars at night. It’s also within walking distance to the town, which made it easy to explore the local area.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    -

    I stayed there for two nights. I arrived very late, they arranged transport from Mzuzu and were waiting with warm dinner. The place is located on a hill with an outstanding view of Lake Malawi. The staff are super nice and kind.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 June 2025

    9.0
    Charming place and great atmosphere just facing the Lake Malawi
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Nothing

    This is a wonderful place along the Lake Malawi , the staff is extremely helpful and nice . You meet all kind of people with whom you can share your experience and the wifi works well .

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 June 2025

    10
    Amazing Stay in Nkhata Bay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The restaurant was great, the view was fantastic, the atmosphere was very chilled, the staff was extremely friendly and helpful, the facilities were clean and functional. A very nice place 🤗

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 12 June 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Chill place by lake Malawi with really cool staff. Food is really good! Rooms are also cool!

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 22 May 2025

    9.0
    It was perfect!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I don’t really have any complaints, but if I had to mention something — it was a bit hard to get my laundry dry, so it would have been nice to have a spot with more sunlight for drying clothes. But honestly, it was such a great stay that there’s hardly anything to point out!

    It was a perfect location with a stunning view of the lake at all times. I relaxed while waiting for the sunrise and watching the sunset. The hammock was incredibly comfortable. Also, since it was the off-season, I had the shared dorm all to myself — that was great too! And in the end, they even helped arrange a taxi and bus to Lilongwe. It was an amazing stay!

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 9 May 2025

    10
    a true gem !
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Twin Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    the best location possible, this place is outstanding! personel is super friendly and the views are breathtaking! I highly recommend renting little house right by the lake 🫶🏼 I'll be back one day as it's one of my favourites places during my journey

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 6 May 2025

    10
    We had an incredible stay and loved our time in Malawi
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The compost toilet took a bit of getting used to and smelt pretty bad pretty quickly

    Stunning location, with great local restaurants and amenities and food and staff were incredible!

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: 29 March 2025

    10
    Amazing
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Excellent location with a stunning view of Lake Malawi. What I loved the most was the unlimited access to stand-up paddles and snorkeling masks, always available for guests to enjoy.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 18 March 2025

    10
    A stay full of culture, delicious food, great weather, and fantastic hosts. Thank you for everything
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 1 night

    We noticed a few shortcomings during our visit: The stairs on the grounds are very steep and difficult for people with walking difficulties. However, if you take a break here and there, you can enjoy the magnificent view or have the opportunity to observe the colorful lizards and birds scurrying among the fruit trees on the grounds. Those who have problems with small animals and insects will be pleased to know that mosquito nets are provided for the night. Occasionally, certain dishes on the menu were unavailable; however, the menu is so extensive that we always found a great alternative. The biggest drawback of our trip, however, was that it ended after such short time.

    A visit to the Soul Rebel Lodge in Nkhata Bay was an extraordinary experience. Its location directly on Lake Malawi offers spectacular views of both land and water. In addition to providing fascinating insights into the flora and fauna for Europeans, the easy accessibility of the nearby village also allows for exciting interactions with the locals and their culture and joie de vivre. The food at the Soul Rebel Lodge is phenomenally good; Guax, the chef, served us the best guacamole in the world, made from fresh, local ingredients. Occasional power outages, which in principle only made the trip more exciting, are compensated for by the operator thanks to a solar system. The water supply was impeccable, but you shouldn't drink the lake water. However, there is a sufficient selection and availability at the lodge bar. All of the staff, without exception, did a fantastic job and made our stay as enjoyable as possible. Great tours are also offered directly on site, which took us out onto the lake and into the surrounding area. The Soul Rebel Lodge is also an excellent base for longer excursions. We enjoyed our stay here and would love to come back.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 15 March 2025

    10
    Enjoyable
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The staff were very kind and helpful. The location is beautiful just on the lake, you can directly swim from the property. They have very good food.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 21 February 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Rounding up of the Booking price, 1% tax added and an unfavourable exchange rate added $1.10usd per night to the cost. Not terrible but makes a difference. If a basic free breakfast (Omelette and Toast and buy your tea and coffee) was added the place would be ideal.

    Best choice in Nkhata Bay. Great views, lakeside and dorm beds are huge and well designed. Close to town for cheap restaurants and supermarkets.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 January 2025

    10
    Amazing place
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Dorm is very comfortable and clean, tasty food with good prices!!😁

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 January 2025

    8.0
    Peaceful lake Malawi
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    I thought it was weird that they quote the price in US dollars online but then charge in Malawian kechwa using their own rate rather than automatic conversion so it ended up being a bit more expensive especially if you’re not American and have a weaker currency. Also paying in card has a surcharge so maybe bring enough cash. Another thing is maybe they shouldn’t offer laundry service during wet season. I had two full days there so I gave some laundry and got them back at the end of the second day still wet. It seemed like some of them got wet again in the rain (because they were soaking) or the air is just too moist to dry during that season. The staff were very apologetic about this and I really appreciate how they handled it. I can’t fault them, there’s not much they can do about the weather. Just a suggestion to not offer the service if the weather is bad.

    I stayed 3 nights and it’s the perfect place to relax and take a break during backpacking. The lake is beautiful and such a good view from the room. Not much food options in town so you have to eat there but the food options are good. It has a good atmosphere because even people from the town come there to eat or have drinks at the restaurant. The wifi is fast but only works near the reception so recommend getting a local sim before you get there. The staff go above and beyond, they are so kind and welcoming. You feel the kindness that Malawi is known for.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 3 January 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It's a great place with a nice atmosphere. I recommend it to anyone, because there was a mix of people there of all ages and background, and everyone enjoyed their stay. I was in the dorm and it was so comfortable. The restaurant is good, and the people are so friendly.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 December 2024

    10
    Relax!
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    All great, loved the place and location. Awesome kitchen! Will come back for sure

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 November 2024

    8.0
    An incredibly beautiful location with excellent accommodation and on site food.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The sockets next to the dorm beds weren't working, but I reported it at reception and said they will get them fixed , the hand soaps in the toilets were empty and none of the shared toilets or shower rooms had locks on the doors ... All reported, hopefully will be rectified very soon .

    I stayed in the mixed dorm , which was awesome, large private beds , comfortable, with great lockers ( you do need your own pad lock though). The staff were lovely, the views , the lake , the gardens were stunning! It was definitely a slice of heaven. The food was exceptional and very good prices , I had the chicken Alfredo , which I can't recommend highly enough! The Bolognese was also great .

    Stayed in November 2024

  • Reviewed: 13 August 2024

    10
    Amazing place
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Amazing place. Nice staff. Chill enviorment.

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 9 August 2024

    10
    Peaceful stay with awesome food and lake views
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 1 night

    We had an awesome stay. Coffee and food were amazing (try the empanadas!), and the views from the coffee shop and the room are incredible. There are also free paddleboards and other activities to do. Staff was nice and eager to help in all occasions, and great at giving advice around the city. We will definitely be visiting again!

    Stayed in August 2024

  • Reviewed: 6 August 2024

    8.0
    Comfortable, economical option close to Nkhata Bay town.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double Room with Lake View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The meals are ok but nothing exciting. The location is close to the heart of Nkhata Bay and can get a bit noisy late into the night. This is obviously out of their control but worth keeping in mind if you are a light sleeper. Generator electricity is not guaranteed when the electricity goes out although this was not a regular occurrence. It was mentioned there was warm water during check in but that was not my experience. Granted I didn’t make a fuss about it seeing as this is common in accomodations at this price point in this area.

    The facilities are basic but well maintained. The location on the water is beautiful. Especially the self contained rooms over the water. The lovely staff made it an enjoyable stay.

    Stayed in July 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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