Dedza Pottery Lodge
Dedza is the highest town in Malawi and Dedza mountain, reaching up to over 2,000m, forms the backdrop to this attractive lodge which is situated in beautiful gardens within the grounds of the famous Dedza Pottery, known both for its handmade pottery and for its coffee and cheesecake. In 2005 a new restaurant was opened which is cool in hot weather and has a roaring log fire in the clear crisp evenings of June and July. A year after opening the restaurant was awarded a silver medal in the “Best Restaurant in Malawi” competition. Donald manages the lodge with a team of very experienced staff, some of whom have been at the restaurant for over 15 years.
The lodge has six spacious rooms carefully placed in a quiet part of the site but conveniently near to the restaurant. The lodge faces West with a wonderful outlook onto Mzengeleza Mountain. There is mains electricity and a backup generator and the rooms are attractively furnished each with its own en suite tiled bathroom, hot shower, mini bar and secure safe. Bed linen, mosquito nets, towels, soap, and electric mosquito killers are provided. Electric heaters are provided for the cold weather and fans for the hot season. There is a kitchenette with complimentary tea and coffee. Both the restaurant and the rooms have been designed with the physically challenged in mind and there are ramps for easy wheelchair access.
One of the main attractions for visitors is Dedza Pottery which opened in 1987 and now has the largest hand crafted production of pottery in Southern Africa; there is a very wide range of designs and customers can also place orders to be made in almost any shape or design. If required the pottery can dispatch pots, fully insured, to any address worldwide. Apart from buying or placing orders visitors can have a full tour of the production workshop. For more information about Dedza Pottery and its products please visit: www.dedzapottery.com
Towering over Dedza Town is Dedza Mountain, the third highest peak in Malawi. From the top, on clear days, there are stunning views; to the East across Lake Malawi to Mozambique, to the South Zomba Plateau and Mount Mulanje can be seen. The top is walkable from the pottery in a few hours; and there is rough road, suitable only for vehicles with high clearance, that reaches almost to the peak. There are also numerous paths within the forest for those that want a more leisurely walk. The Lodge has its own guides and can provide picnics for those wishing to spend time on the mountain.
In the foothills surrounding the pottery there are many prehistoric cave paintings, some estimated to be over 10,000 years old and the area has recently been made a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Lodge Guides have been trained by the Department of Antiques to escort visitors to view this unique Rock Art. Visitors can also visit a lively “Cultural Village”, to experience many aspects of Dedza village life and see traditional dances
Less than an hours drive away is Mua Mission, built by the White Fathers over 100 years ago. Father Claude Boucher, originally from Canada, has spent much of his life at Mua teaching carving and painting and studying Malawian traditions and interpreting the gospels into a Malawian context. In 2000 he opened the small museum of Malawian culture that he spent 15 years preparing and which is full of information on the traditions of several of the main tribal groupings within Malawi. The adventurous can walk with a guide down the mountain footpaths to Mua, spend a night in the well equipped guest rooms at the mission, and be collected by vehicle the next day.
Our Full Board Rate includes English breakfast, midday meal or picnic lunch & 3 course dinner in the evening. We are also happy to quote for accommodation only or bed and breakfast