Published 28th Jun. 2021
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Likoma Island is the larger of two small inhabited islands situated in the far north of Lake Malawi.
Kaya Mawa Lodge is situated on the south-western tip of the island at the head of a crescent-shaped bay, surrounded by mango trees and ancient baobabs.
Kaya Mawa consists of ten stone and teak-framed thatched cottages set into a granite headland. There is a honeymoon house tucked away on its own private island and reached by boat or a wooden walkway. Each cottage faces the lake and has a king-sized mahogany four-poster bed, a shower, a sunken stone bathtub and a loo with a view. The cottages have private terraces with direct access to the water, and some can only be reached by walkways built over the lake.
For families and groups, the beautiful Ndomo House is a wonderful option, just a 15 minute walk from the Lodge. There are four bedrooms at Ndomo, a live in chef, and a private pool, and guests are also free to use all of the facilities at Kaya Mawa Lodge too.
Guests can try waterskiing, wake-boarding, snorkelling and diving, sailing or local community visits.
Why We Love It
With no machinery available on the island, Kaya Mawa Lodge was built entirely by hand, in partnership with the local community.
The ideal lodge for watersports fans, in Cape Maclear on the southern shore of Lake Malawi .
The Lodge consists of four spacious en-suite rooms, all with a large patio. The rooms have great views out over the lake and towards Thumbi West Island. There are shady lawns leading down to a sandy beach, infinity swimming pool and the luxurious yacht Mufasa which is available for all guests. Other activities on offer include diving and snorkelling, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing and kayaking.
Danforth Lodge is available on a full board basis only, with the chefs producing an excellent spread of buffet options at the al fresco dining area. Children's menus are available on request.
Why We Love It
Guests can charter the 38-foot Mufasa catamaran to tour the places of interest along the Lake Malawi shoreline. The crewed yacht sleeps eight in double cabins, plus two in singles.
Mumbo Island is deserted save for the elegant tented camp of the same name.
Accommodation is in seven comfortable tents with hot bucket showers and 'eco-loos' perched above the water on the rocky shoreline. Each tent has its own shaded view-deck and hammock and like the dining room, bar and watersport banda, all are hand-built from timber, thatch and canvas. The emphasis throughout is on protecting the environment, and Mumbo Island Camp has strict eco-guidelines, blending into the environment to create a sense of rustic romance with minimal impact to the surroundings. Mumbo Island has remained unpopulated by humans and is still in its natural state awaiting exploration. There are many activities on offer, from diving or snorkelling through to swimming, birdwatching, and kayaking or boating around the granite islands of this freshwater Rift Valley lake. Twitchers will hopefully see African Fish-Eagles.
Why We Love It
This particular part of Lake Malawi is often considered the finest freshwater diving and snorkelling location on Earth.
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