Lake of Stars Festival 2008, Malawi

2008 looks all set to be the most exciting festival yet for Lake of Stars. Moving to the new location at Senga Bay after four great years at Chintheche is a key part of Lake of Star’s evolution and the new site is much better located and has many more facilities.

Again, leading press and media are attending Lake of Stars, including T4 who are hoping to make a short film on the festival and Malawi, Radio 1 who are producing a documentary, plus The Guardian and The Scottish Herald along with the Red Bull Music Academy, who are hosting workshops and seminars at Lake of Stars, with more media expected to attend.

The Lake of Stars Festival was borne from a desire to raise money for a developing economy and charities and help raise the profile of Malawi as a tourist destination.

This year the Microloan Foundation will benefit from money raised from the festival. The three-day festival promotes Malawian artists and provides travellers and locals alike with the opportunity to enjoy fantastic live music in an exotic and beautiful location whilst directly contributing to the country’s economy.

For many the festival is the focal point of travelling around this beautiful country, forming part of an itinerary spanning across what Malawi has to offer. This is an experience for those ready for a real adventure.

After fours years at the idyllic Chintheche Inn in the far north of the country, Will Jameson and Harry Gibbs, the festival’s directors, decided a move was needed if the festival was to expand whilst still remaining in harmony with Malawi - for her people and the country itself.

Sunbird Livingstonia Beach is set in the south of Lake Malawi and much more accessible to the local population. It is again a stunning area which looks onto the shimmering waters of the mesmerising lake, with great facilities and a choice of rooms on site, and there are many other small lodges, intimate hideaways and campsites along this stunning part of Malawi.

Sunbird has a range of accommodation options, from standard to superior rooms, from family to camping (under lots of shade), so every budget is catered for. Water sports and activities include paddle boats, wind surfing, sailing, water skiing, island trips, snorkelling and beach football. An outdoor swimming pool and beach volleyball are also available.