Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
10 Apr 2024
Reply rate
77.8 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
17
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hello. We are Russ and Kate, an English couple, from London and Oxford.
We have just finished building a small, mid-range lodge on the beach in Malawi, East Africa.
The lodge is a castle! Yes, really! it is on a beautiful sandy beach of Lake Malawi in a safe, peaceful, remote area. it is a great place to live for a few months and experience real Africa.
We are not busy enough yet to need full-time assistance but we are looking for a young couple to help us run the place, especially during the busy months: from July to Christmas and Easter. Some days there are no guests and we get a chance to rest a bit and plan ahead. Other days we can have lots of guests and need some help to co-ordinate it all!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Hospitality/Tourism
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are located in rural Malawi in a local village. On a daily basis we work with and interact with Malawians. Many are very poor and living a typical African hand-to-mouth existence. it is a humbling experience to work with such joyful people without commercial influences and teaches us a great deal about what is really important in life. You will go home a richer, more worldly, changed person. During your time here you will help us make a difference to the village by providing proper paid employment, supporting hundreds of people.
Help
Our staff is all local Malawian, from the surrounding villages; they have very little formal education and no experience of hospitality prior to us opening our lodge 18 months ago (nine months ago they were our builders and labourers!). However, they have a growing understanding of the needs of tourists and your role will be to help us take them to the next level.
This aim would be met by working alongside them as a team & providing training and supervision through leading by example. We are looking for a young couple who do not necessarily have experience, but are quick learners, have common sense and are able to help us and follow our lead. We will show you everything you need to know! In turn, you will then be a role-model to our staff with regards to guest-focus, timeliness, personal presentation, work ethic, manner etc.
Both the help and the hours here are varied, but will not exceed 25 per week, so an adaptable and flexible approach is vital. In general, it will include: maintaining the pool; assisting guests with water-sports equipment; checking the rooms for guests; assisting with maintaining the grounds and buildings. The role is flexible depending on your skills and preferences.
We are also looking for people to help us manage the lodge long-term. Conditions are negotiable.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
You will live in a comfortable guest room, with en-suite facilities. Food will be provided and you are welcome to prepare your meal in the kitchen. There is a fully-stocked bar, where you will be able to buy drinks at cost price.
What else ...
On site we have a large pool and a full-size squash court that you can use. We also have kayaks, wind-surfers and a motor boat. Sun loungers by the pool and a beautiful beach may appeal too!
There are other lodges in the local area, including an excellent backpackers with a public bar. There is a great stables nearby with rides through the forest, ending with riding the horses bareback into the lake!
A little further afield there is a pretty town with more good backpacker accommodation, and a great PADI Dive Centre. There is also a golf course about an hour away and a National Park two hours away.
There are numerous NGO / charity organisations in the local area; they always welcome visitors.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours, 5 days a week
Feedback (11)
Kate, Russ and all the staff are great people and made us feel right at home. It was a… read more
During their time here they helped with an unexpected big booking on day on, going straight into hospitality mode with no supervision required.
They also helped out a lot with maintenance, painting the interior of one of our buildings.
Overall, a really… read more
Everything is well organised, we helped with renovations and felt right at home.
Russell is a very friendly man and cares for all of his staff. Unfortunately we didn’t get to meet his wife.
We loved the squash court and the staff.
Great place to relax right next to the beautiful lake… read more
They were happy to chip in with all sorts of work around the lodge, especially maintenance and helping out with guests.
The staff enjoyed having them here and getting to know them. They will be missed.
We wish them safe onward travel.
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.6)
Kate, Russ and all the staff are great people and made us feel right at home. It was a… read more
During their time here they helped with an unexpected big booking on day on, going straight into hospitality mode with no supervision required.
They also helped out a lot with maintenance, painting the interior of one of our buildings.
Overall, a really… read more
Everything is well organised, we helped with renovations and felt right at home.
Russell is a very friendly man and cares for all of his staff. Unfortunately we didn’t get to meet his wife.
We loved the squash court and the staff.
Great place to relax right next to the beautiful lake… read more
They were happy to chip in with all sorts of work around the lodge, especially maintenance and helping out with guests.
The staff enjoyed having them here and getting to know them. They will be missed.
We wish them safe onward travel.
It is beautiful and the local staff are so kind! Our favorite part was getting to know the staff! Our room was just one step off of the beach facing Lake Malawi.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to meet Kate or Russ. We arrived at the beginning of February during slow season and previous workawayers Mike and Linda… read more
Kate and Russ are both very nice, friendly and welcoming.
I stayed there for a month throughout Christmas and New Years so the lodge was pretty busy but it was always in a very good and caring atmosphere.
I was staying in one of the guest… read more
Here you can relax away from the big cities and immerse yourself into the microclimate and nature of Kachere as well as visit the surrounding towns which… read more
She is great at getting a party going and getting guests drinking! she would suit a busy backpackers best, probably running the bar.
However, mainly… read more
Highly recommended.
Kate and Russ created their own fairytale, and even though it's quiet in it now,… read more
