Welcome to Pakachere Backpackers Lodge

AN INTERVIEW WITH….Pakachere Backpackers Lodge

Tell us a brief background about your business.

Pakachere in Zomba is a social business. It is all about job security for the employees, buying local, and offering a nice place for people to stay.

What do you love about the hospitality industry?

We love Malawi and want to share this beautiful country with other people. It is satisfying to give people a good time, a nice place to relax and meet other people. We like sharing our knowledge with others; continuing professional development of staff and travel info for guests. Seeing happy people at our lodge makes us happy!! And at the same we stimulate the local community through employing people, buying our produce at the local market, paying taxes, and giving extra work to taxi drivers and tour guides.

Who inspires you in the hospitality industry?

Many people all over the world have influenced us; from the guy who walked from Cape to Cairo to the volunteers who work in hospitals. Our guests are our inspiration; we love to hear their stories. We also get a lot of inspiration from our colleagues in Zomba like The Chocolate Factory for a great lunch, Maipai Treats for cake and coffee, and Casa Rossa for Italian pasta. Our fellow lodge owners in the country are always ready to help with advice.

What are three tools you couldn’t do your business without and why?

Tools we couldn’t do without are our mobile phone, internet, and our (paper) diary. Our most important resource is our staff who run the place independently and are always ready to welcome visitors.

What is your secret to success in the hospitality industry?

Our secret? The best possible service for a reasonable price. We continuously work on improving the lodge. The main thing is that we want to create a social meeting place in a clean & safe environment. “At Pakachere you never have to eat alone”.

What is the moment that you are most proud of?

We have many moments when we feel proud. It can be challenging to run a business in Malawi, but together with our team, we manage.

Is there anyone you would like to say thank you to?

We like to say thank you to our staff, who work hard and are loyal. We have the best team in the world!!

What are your future plans?

Our future plans are solar power, hopefully, a borehole and more events where Malawians, travellers, tourists, volunteers, and expats come together. From the occasional barbeque with live music on a Saturday afternoon to karaoke or a quiz night on a Friday. And we will keep working on new dishes on the menu (for vegans, meat-eaters, vegetarians, and people with other dietary requirements). Always freshly made with local products.

How can people find you?

You can find Pakachere in Zomba, close to town on the golf course behind Zomba Police Station. We are walking distance of the banks, the immigration office, botanical gardens, supermarkets and the market with a big variety of fruit & veg. We are at the foot of Zomba Mountain where you can hike, cool down at William’s Falls and enjoy the viewpoints. Unfortunately, you will also see the devastation of deforestation.Online you find us on Facebook.com/Pakachere and www.pakachere.com. [email protected] or call 099468593. On our site, you find a lot of information about things in the region and a travel guide with tips for the whole country.