Things to do at Gecko Lounge and around Cape Maclear...
We know that Malawi Gin & Tonics + Hammocks + Sunsets can be enough for most people, but should you wish to venture further then there are plenty of options to entertain and educate within the area…
Around and in the village...
Banking
There are no Banks or Cash Machines in the Cape Maclear & Monkey Bay area - the last ones you will see are in either Mangochi (which you will pass if you come from Blantyre) or Salima (which you will pass if you come from Lilongwe). We also do not take Credit Cards at this present moment either - company/personal cheques are at the discretion of management and only possible with prior arrangement.The following link is a Currency Converter for checking rate of Malawi Kwacha against various currencies from around the world.
Boat Trips
You can visit Thumbi Island, feed Fish Eagles, snorkel at Otter Point, simply laze on other beaches, enjoy fish braais and much, much more - organised via the local tour guide commitee in the hut on the right of Gecko’s beach.
We use the local guys who are part of the ‘Cape Maclear Boat Tour Committee’, they are on a rotation which ensures that they all get regular business. We can help you negotiate a fair price for your trip and supply you with a cooler box full of waters, sodas, soft drinks and beers for your excursion. This is a much better option than organising elsewhere as it regulates & controls the business making tour guides accountable for their service and price.
Craft Shopping
There are a wide range of locally produced crafts for sale in the village ranging from jewelery and paintings to furniture and carvings. From the artist who paints the Batik hanging around Gecko, to the carver of all the wooden Hippo’s in the chalets, we can assist with guiding you to the right people and places within the village. Furthermore should you wish to buy furniture we can arrange to store on your behalf awaiting your return for collection once finished.
Diving
Diving is available from ”Kayak Africa” who can accommodate across all levels of experience & qualification. The Bay has a strong reputation for being a very popular dive spot due to the relatively low costs and potential for PADI training courses to be completed & ease of freshwater diving.
Kayaking
You can hire single and double kayaks from Gecko or Kayak Africa at a cost of $12 per half day and $24 for the full day.
Guided Village Walks & Hiking
Can be organised with our staff to show you the ins and outs of Chembe village & meet the local community. There are also a lot of sites of historical interest in the area and we can organise guides to take you to the various gravestones & ancient markings hidden in the hills of the cape.
Transport to and from the village
There are regular Minibus “Matola” & Pick up truck services running to the Cape from the Monkey Bay Bus depature & drop off area - usual cost is between 250 & 300kw - For more detailed advice please see our How to find us section where you can obtain information on travel to the cape from further afield & contact numbers to book transport & hire cars.
At Gecko...
Books for reading and exchange
We have a collection of books stored at Gecko Lounge. Please ask if you would like to borrow, exchange or buy any books. We would also be happy to receive your books once you have finished them, these will be recycled and end up in the grateful hands of another guest!
Braai
There are two permanent braai stands outside the chalets. If you let us know in advance of your arrival we may be able to put together a braii pack for you from our kitchen stocks - there is a small shop next door to us selling a variety of items from pasta to eggs & bread but for meat / chicken you would have to get from the PTC supermarket in Monkey Bay. You can also buy fresh fish straight from the fishermen on the shore. Ask Gecko staff members to assist you in purchasing and arranging wood from the villagers.
DVDs
We have a selection of DVDs available for hire. Please ask at the bar for the DVD Listings Guide. We also have portable 8.5” screen Panasonic DVD player available to rent. The player must be used either in the rooms or on the Gecko veranda area. A deposit of Passport/ID or cash must be given for hire of discs for offsite use. Guests are liable for damages to machines and discs. Hire is at the discretion of the manager.
Costs
MK350 hire of one film
MK 1000 hire of DVD player and two films
Electrical information
All electrical sockets at Gecko Lounge are British 3-pin sockets. Please ask if you need an adaptor for South African or other plugs as we have spares adaptors. On occasions when there is a power cut we have a generator. If you are in the chalets or dorm when there is a power cut please assist us by turning off the power at the sockets, this will ensure that the electrical surge from the generator will not damage electrical items.
Forex
It is possible to pay for your accommodation bill in American Dollars, British Pounds or Euros. We may also be able to change money. Please ask us for our current rates.
Internet Access
Gecko Lounge is the designated dealer for Skyband cards in the Cape Maclear area. We are pleased to offer high speed wireless internet access anywhere on the Gecko property. In order to facilitate those travelling without a computer we have a tempremental laptop for use free of charge. Please ask us for more information.
Costs
1/2 hour Skyband Card MK300
1hr Skyband Card MK600
5hr Skyband Card MK2000
Laundry Service
A hand washing laundry service is available. Please speak to members of the Gecko Lounge staff and negotiate a rate directly with them.
Medical Information
Sun-lotion, painkillers and mosquito repellents are recommended packing - you will have difficulty buying in the village. The Billy Riordan Clinic is situated in the village and can provide treatment, advice and medication. For more serious medical conditions we would advise you to seek help in Blantyre or Lilongwe although the clinic should be your first port of call where a combination of highly team trained local and foreign doctors will be able to assist you.
Magazines to borrow
We have a stack of magazines located at the bar which are available for you to borrow during the day. Please feel free to leave your old magazines with us…. They will be gratefully received (and possibly swapped for drinks!)
Movie Nights
We can play movies in the bar area when it is quiet. Please ask us for the DVD Listings Guide - We have several DVDs available for hire and constantly updated via deliveries from UK.
Music
We have a vast selection of music available and are always keen to listen to new music as well. If you have any specific requests please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. We have recently added a DJ booth area and we are planning more big nights for the future with local and international DJ’s keeping people dancing into the early hours.
Room Service to the Chalets
If you would like to dine outside your chalets for lunch of dinner please tell the staff when ordering your food at the bar. We can also serve breakfast at your chalet and this can be pre-ordered the previous night for a certain time if it’s more convenient for you. Staff will come at 10am every day to clean - should this not be convenient you can arrange a time with them later in the day.
Safety of belongings
You can store valuable items such as passports and money in the Electronic Safes found in each of the chalets and for which you can personally set a combination for yourself. Baobab & Acacia & the Reed Room have lock boxes which work with your own padlocks or those provided by the bar.
Big Screen TV
We have a 32” Flat Screen television in the bar and are subscribed to DSTV. Please ask us if there is anything specific you would like to watch. We will do out best to play the English Premiership Football, South African League Rugby and other major sporting events. We can also arrange to play DVD’s and often have movie nights & afternoons.
Volleyball
If you would like to play volleyball on our court please ask at the bar to borrow the ball. Alternatively you can challenge the Gecko Lounge team to game – just for fun or make it competitive!
Water Sports - Water Ski, Knee-boarding, Wake boarding....
Ask us if you are interested in doing some water sports – how about water-skiing, a speed boat cruise, wake-boarding or sailing? We have the Gecko Speedboat & necessary equipment close by - we work on a $25/$30 per person rate depending on time & experience - as to Sailing If we cannot organise it for you at Gecko, we will be able to point you in the right direction!
Working with & providing for the local community...
Gecko Lounge is situated in the heart of Chembe village We try to work with the local people where ever possible and are committed to ensuring that our success filters into the local area. Wherever possible we buy local products and use village carvers, painters, builders and other tradesmen. The Gecko Shop stocks products targeted for local consumption at reasonable rates which were previously difficult to attain. We do not sell the products that are for sale with other vendors in the village as we do not want to take away their market.
Cape MacClear Water & The Chembe Water project
The water sold at Gecko is Cape MacClear bottled drinking water which is filtered & bottled on site and generates funds toward the Chembe Water Project. This water is pumped from the lake & passed through particle filters and treated with UV technology to ensure it is of the highest quality and is entirely safe for drinking. The profits from selling the water are ploughed back into the Chembe Water Project to ensure safe filtered drinking water can be supplied throughout the village via the many taps you see throughout.
Gecko Lounge was instrumental is setting up the Chembe Water Project in 2005 and the charity operates from the Gecko Lounge site. The aim of the Project is to provide safe drinking water at Chembe Village, Cape MacClear.
We are also committed to supporting families and projects in Cape MacClear in a variety of ways ranging from sponsoring individuals through education, providing money for building projects and offering small start-up loans for enterprise.
Chembe Malaria Prevention Project
A new venture working with the community to provide mosquito nets for every child regardless of socio-economic grouping or health status. The aim is that every child in Chembe Village sleeps under a mosquito net and money raised will go towards providing the funding for nets, members of the local community to work as educators and facilitators and the transport and delivery of materials. $5 can buy one net which 2 to 5 children can sleep under at a time. A website and method for online donations is reached via the same link as the Chembe Water Project.
