Malawi’s Sunbird expands Salima flagship with $5.8 million lakeside upgrade, adds 60 rooms

Sunbird Tourism Plc., Malawi’s leading hospitality and tourism company, has expanded its flagship lakeside property, Sunbird Livingstonia Beach, with the addition of 60 new rooms in a MWK10 billion ($5.8 million) investment, reinforcing its position as Malawi’s largest hotel operator by portfolio capacity.

The expansion lifts the property’s total room count to 110, while its sister facility, Sunbird Waterfront, brings the combined inventory of the group’s Salima lakeside assets to 156 rooms.

Strengthening Malawi’s tourism infrastructure

According to the company, the upgrade forms part of a broader repositioning strategy aimed at enhancing its lakeside portfolio to better serve both leisure and corporate travellers. The new rooms feature contemporary design elements, modern amenities, and upgraded guest experiences tailored to evolving hospitality demand.

The development also complements the recently commissioned Livingstonia International Conference Centre, positioning the resort as an emerging hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) in the region.

Driving regional tourism and economic activity

Sunbird Tourism plc chief executive officer Samson Mwale said the investment strengthens the group’s long-term positioning in Malawi’s hospitality sector and supports Salima’s ambition to attract larger regional and international events.

He noted that the expansion is expected to stimulate tourism flows, create employment opportunities, and enhance local economic activity tied to the hospitality value chain.

Mwale added that the project reflects the company’s ongoing focus on innovation, service quality, and investor confidence as it scales its tourism infrastructure across key destinations.

Expanding national footprint

Founded in 1973 as a state enterprise, Sunbird Tourism has grown into Malawi’s premier hospitality brand, commanding the country’s largest hotel network. The company operates nine properties, including four city hotels across Malawi’s three regions, four lakeside resorts along Lake Malawi, and an iconic mountain retreat in Zomba. 

Its portfolio includes city hotels in Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Mzuzu, alongside lakeside resorts such as Sunbird Nkopola Lodge, Sunbird Waterfront, and Sunbird Livingstonia Beach in Salima, as well as Sunbird Kuchawe in Zomba. The latest expansion further consolidates its dominance in Malawi’s hospitality sector, particularly within the country’s growing lakeside tourism corridor.