Satemwa Tea Estate is a story of Scotland and Malawi coming together. Malawi and Scotland have always had a very warm friendship.
This is partly why, Maclean Kay must have decided not to go back to Scotland in the 1920’s.
Besides that, he laid his eyes on what is now known as Satemwa Tea Estate.
Visit Malawi is almost certain Malawi’s warm and friendly people must have helped make his decision to stay put a lot easier.
Satemwa Tea Estate and Huntingdon House is run by Maclean Kay’s family to this day.
On your visit to Satemwa Tea Estate, fourth generation of little Kay’s will be on site roaming around the estates garden.
Satemwa Tea Estate – Huntingdon House?
Huntingdon house was built in the mid 30’s on Satemwa tea Estate and it has five spacious rooms.
Their ambition and goal has always been to give all guests a unique and personal experience.
In addition to this, they aim to offer insight to the special life on a Tea Estate in Africa.
However, is Satemwa Tea Estate just about tea? No, absolutely not.
At Satemwa Tea Estate – huntingdon House, you are free to do as much or as little as you like, whilst you stay there.
Here we will share with you reasons to visit Satemwa Tea Estate – Huntingdon House.
Satemwa Tea Eastate – Huntingdon House
1. TEA -COFFEE TASTING
Are you a bookworm who is also a tea enthusiast, or maybe even just a tea lover minus the books? Well, look no further.
The Tea tasting experience at Huntingdon House, is one not to be missed.
As a matter of fact it is one of the central reasons to visit the tea growing estate.
While at Satemwa, you will have a guide who will walk you through the full process of tea planting through to harvesting and production.
If that is not enough, your taste buds will be teased with various teas, including white,green,black, oolong and other specialties.
Satemwa is mainly a tea growing estate. However, they have grown coffee since the -1970’s and In season guided walks through the coffee fields which are wild, open and set in spectacular scenery are also available.
These experiences at Huntingdon House-Satemwa can be enjoyed even if you are not staying there. However, to enjoy the experience, you will need to be booked in advance.
2. HIKING – MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE
Satemwa Tea Estate has over 105 miles of dirt roads and hundreds more paths and tracks.
This makes it a fantastic and diverse place to explore on foot.
Leisure strolls to one of the streams on site, meandering through the coffee fields or hikes up to the rock are available.
These leisurely strolls will award you with amazing views over the end of the rift valley.
Satemwa is a Mountain bike haven! With all the endless tracks, one must prepare for wild uphill and exiting downhill adventures.
You do not have to bring your own bike, if you do not own one.
Satemwa has a selection of mountain bikes and gear available, simply choose the trail and length of time you wish to be out.
3. BIRD SPOTTING at Satemwa Tea Estate
If you love birding, then the estate is a bird watchers paradise.
The varied plants and vegetation on the estate provides ideal habitats for various species of Malawian birds.
This includes the little-known bird of Africa’s disappearing montane evergreen forests, the Thyolo Alethe (Alethe choloensis).
If you are not yet into bird watching, here are three points to think about that may get you excited and into birding.
- Did you know Birding helps you connect with nature.
- Secondly, Birding is good for your health
- Lastly, Birding is a great way to make new friends
4. SPORTS
With vast lands on Huntingdon House Estates, games such as Croquet and Badminton are readily available for all guests at anytime.
Thyolo Sports Club, situated on grounds also features a 9 hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis and other activities for a small fee.
5. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Estate has various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes and one of them is Satemwa Primary School.
Satemwa Primary provides education to approximately 900 pupils in partnership with the Malawi Government.
Find out ways you can be a part of their great social works.
Satemwa Tea Estate are a part of the extensive deforestation programme of Malawi that is deemed a priority.
Through Satemwa’s foundation, regular tree planting introduces staff to other forms of energy for cooking and heating in their communities.
Food for thought…
Have you ever been to Huntingdon House on the Tea Estate of Satemwa, Thyolo?
Please share your experience and memories with us in the comments section.
