Mangochi district, Malawi

Places to visit near Monkey Bay

Monkey Bay is a town in Mangochi district, Malawi, home to about 11,619 people. Within 50 km by road there are 53 places to visit — 9 hill stations & viewpoints, 3 churches, 9 wildlife, forests & gardens and 12 rivers, islands & mangroves. The must-see places are Lake Malawi National Park Museum (14 km), Mumbo Island (25 km) and Lake Malombe (92 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Monkey Bay on the map

Monkey Bay, Malawi
Monkey Bay, Mangochi district, Malawi. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Monkey Bay at a glance

Location
Mangochi district, Malawi
Population
about 11,619
Coordinates
14.0824° S, 34.9165° E
Places within 50 km
53 (2 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Monkey Bay

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Monkey Bay: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Monkey Bay

Things to see near Monkey Bay, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Monkey Bay

40 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Monkey Bay. The closest is Horsefly Crag (6 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Malawi →

Churches near Monkey Bay

27 churches within 100 km of Monkey Bay. The closest is Catholic Church (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Monkey Bay

17 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Monkey Bay. The closest is East Thumbi Island (1 km); the best-known is Lake Malawi National Park (7 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

All wildlife, forests & gardens in Malawi →

Rivers, islands & mangroves near Monkey Bay

13 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Monkey Bay. The closest is East Thumbi Island (3 km); the best-known is Mumbo Island (25 km). Best time: september to february.

All rivers, islands & mangroves in Malawi →

Mosques & dargahs near Monkey Bay

11 mosques & dargahs within 100 km of Monkey Bay. The closest is Matuwi Masjid (39 km). Best time: year-round.

All mosques & dargahs in Malawi →

Forts & heritage near Monkey Bay

8 forts & heritage within 100 km of Monkey Bay. The closest is Golden Sands Hotel (ruin) (14 km). Best time: october to february.

All forts & heritage in Malawi →

A one-day trip from Monkey Bay

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 54 km on the road.

  1. Start in Monkey Bay
  2. 6 km Black Crag · viewpoint, Mangochi
  3. 2 km Horsefly Crag · viewpoint, Mangochi
  4. 9 km Lake Malawi National Park Museum · national park, Mangochi
  5. 12 km Mumbo Island · island, Mangochi
  6. 18 km Lake Malawi National Park · national park, Mangochi
  7. 7 km Back to Monkey Bay

Plan a longer trip from Monkey Bay — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Monkey Bay

No traveller has reported from around Monkey Bay yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Monkey Bay

    All places near Monkey Bay by distance

    Within 15 km of Monkey Bay

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Monkey Bay by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints940Horsefly Crag (6 km)
    Other attractions1033Marketplace (2 km)
    Churches327Catholic Church (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens917East Thumbi Island (1 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves1213East Thumbi Island (3 km)
    Mosques & dargahs311Matuwi Masjid (39 km)
    Forts & heritage28Golden Sands Hotel (ruin) (14 km)
    Beaches & coast24Namaso Beach (15 km)
    Museums13Lake Malawi National Park Museum (14 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs23Nkudzi Bay, Lake Malawi (16 km)
    Parks01Namiasi Bus Stage (55 km)
    Temples01Thawale Harvest Temple Assemblies of God Malawi (77 km)

    Monkey Bay: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Monkey Bay?

    Lake Malawi National Park Museum (national park, about 14 km), Mumbo Island (island, about 25 km), Horsefly Crag (viewpoint, about 6 km), Black Crag (viewpoint, about 6 km), Lake Malawi National Park (national park, about 7 km), Nkhunguni Peak (peak, about 11 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Monkey Bay?

    53 places on Spotwander: 9 hill stations & viewpoints, 10 other attractions, 3 churches, 9 wildlife, forests & gardens, 12 rivers, islands & mangroves.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Monkey Bay?

    Horsefly Crag, about 6 km by road; Black Crag (6 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest church to Monkey Bay?

    Catholic Church, about 1 km by road; Nkope Anglican Church (23 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest sanctuary to Monkey Bay?

    East Thumbi Island, about 1 km by road; Lake Malawi National Park (7 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Monkey Bay?

    Start in Monkey Bay, visit Black Crag, then Horsefly Crag, then Lake Malawi National Park Museum, then Mumbo Island, then Lake Malawi National Park, and drive back — about 54 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Monkey Bay?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; November to March for sightings for wildlife, forests & gardens; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Monkey Bay

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Monkey Bay’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Monkey Bay on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.