Satemwa Tea Estate is located in Thyolo district in the Shire Highlands of Southern Malawi, 1hour drive away from Blantyre city. One of the oldest tea estates in Malawi founded in 1923 by Maclean Kay, a Scottish immigrant and former rubber planter in Malaya, and has been handed down from generation to generation of the Cathcart Kay family.
The estate provides magnificent views of Mount Mulanje and the Lower Shire valley to the west. Visitors to the Satemwa Estate are transformed back to a by-gone era and often absorbed by the colonial feel to the area and the diverse scenery.
The main attraction of Satemwa is, of course, tea! Built-in 1937 the Satemwa Factory is known around the tea world as a producer of quality tea.

Things to do at Satemwa:

1. Spend a night at Huntingdon House
Live a flashback in time in what used to be the founder’s family home! Enjoy a refreshing Gin & Tea on the picnic spot with an incredible view down to the Shire River and up to Mount Mulanje, indulge a delicious three-course dinner prepared with love by some of the best chefs in the country, using mostly ingredients grown in the garden behind the lodge. Sleep so heavenly in one of the individually decorated suites, and wake up to a full English breakfast.

2. Tea Tasting:
The ultimate experience of Satemwa! Learn more about the estate, the magic of tea, how it is grown, produced and what is so special about Satemwa teas. Mary introduces you to the art of tea tasting- slurp about 20 very differently tasting teas to find your favourite. Most of those teas can be purchased at the Little Shop at Huntingdon House.

3. Guided Walks: Coffee/Tea Walks & Birding:
Put on your hiking shoes and follow Lameck, a well-informed guide who knows Satemwa like the back of his hand and be amazed by all the information that you probably did not know about teas and coffees! You can equally explore the estate on your own. You choose- tea or coffee fields, indigenous forest, or maybe even up to the famous rock of Thyolo mountain.

4. Mountain Biking:

Mountain biking is doable and best way to explore the 105 miles of dirt roads and paths at Satemwa while enjoying the greenery. Malawi Adventures has good quality bikes for hire and organizes day and multiday cycling trips to Satemwa from Blantyre. Be assured this is the most amazing way to discover every corner and boundary of the tea estate.

5. Sunset Views:

Sunset views are best done after your afternoon tea. This is the best way to relax from the day’s activities and watch nature take its course. Embark on this vehicle-guided trip for a sun-downer or sunset view by the picnic spot where you will be also getting up-close-and-personal with famous rock of Thyolo mountain.

Who the destination is good for
If you want to escape the bustling areas of Malawi and crave for peace and quiet, go off grid by visiting Satemwa. It is the perfect location for you and your family.  A night or two on Satemwa Tea Estate is the perfect amount of time, you can embrace the great outdoors by partaking in one of the open-air activities or leave feeling like you’ve learned something new following a tea tour.