Kaya Mawa Lodge - Likoma Island is the larger of two small islands situated in the far north of Lake Malawi, on the east of the Lake and very close to the Mozambique coastline. To visit the island is to step back in time. Just 17 square kilometres with one small dirt road and two vehicles, the local people survive largely by fishing, and rice and cassava farming. The island has hundreds of huge baobab trees and a number of glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves. The waters are crystal clear throughout the year and the diving and snorkelling is among the best in 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. Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local Tonga dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings of beach, rock, island and lake to create a lodge of unique character, imagination and very special ambience. With no machinery available on the island, Kaya Mawa Lodge was built entirely by hand, in partnership with the local community. It 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 that is reached by boat or a wooden walkway. Each cottage faces the lake and has a 7- by 6-foot mahogany four-poster bed, a shower, a sunken stone bathtub and a loo with a view. The view from the shower in the honeymoon suite defies description. All the cottages have private terraces with direct access to the water, and some can only be reached by walkways built over the lake.

The stunning setting of the lodge and the unique comfort of the rooms means that many guests choose to make relaxation their main activity, but enough activities are on offer to keep guests busy. Scuba, snorkelling, swimming, sailing and visits to the local villages are part of the experience. Day trips to Mozambique can be arranged. Access is by air or by boat.

The stunning setting of the lodge and the unique comfort of the rooms means that many guests choose to make relaxation their main activity but enough activities are on offer to keep guests busy.

Walking or biking around the island:

This is one activity you simply should not miss. Likoma is completely safe and the local population is legendary both for its friendliness and its curiosity-a simple unescorted stroll around the island perhaps with a knapsack filled with cold drinks and a few snacks is a wonderful experience-you can stop off to swim en route, engage the locals in conversation and visit the cathedral and the lively market nearby.

Swimming and snorkelling:

The waters around the lodge are safe and clear—some of the best snorkelling on the island is right at the lodge-snorkels and masks are provided. Alternatively there is a rock swimming pool right by the bar.

Diving:

Lake Malawi has over a thousand species of fish, more than all the freshwater species in Europe and North America combined! Many of these are endemic to the area.

Activities Available:

1) Guided dives for those already qualified at 20 different dive sites around Likoma Island - for Open Water 1 to Advanced
2) Dive Taiwanee reef, an underwater mountain 7km off Chizumulu, which rises from the depths (400m deep) to within 6m of the surface.
3) Dive with the tropical fish catchers.

Not available:1) Scuba courses

Motorized Watersports:

Waterskiing, tube riding and wake snaking are offered as well as fishing trips.

Sailing Safaris:

The lodge has a small wooden skip for journeys around the island.

Excursions to Mozambique:

Longer trips by motor or sailing boat to the wonderful beaches of nearby Mozambique can be arranged as well as overnight trips to Nkwichi Lodge and the Manda Wilderness area.

Location:

On Likoma Island in the north east of Lake Malawi very close to the Mozambique shores of the lake. The lodge is on the southern tip of the island and is located on the edge of a long sweeping sandy beach bordered by two rocky promontories.

Pricing:

Pricing is consistent throughout the year. As a non game destination , the deciding factor in planning a visit is the weather, see below.

Camp:
On the main promontory there is a bar, dining room and rock pool.

Activities:

The stunning setting of the lodge and the unique comfort of the rooms means that many guests choose to make relaxation their main activity but enough activities are on offer to keep guests busy:

- Walking or biking around the island-Swimming and snorkelling
- Diving
- Motorized Watersports - Waterskiing, tube riding and wake snaking are offered as well as fishing trips.
- Sailing Safaris - the lodge has a small wooden skip for journeys around the island.
- Excursions to Mozambique - longer trips by motor or sailing boat to the wonderful beaches of nearby Mozambique can be arranged as well as overnight trips to Nkwichi Lodge and the Manda Wilderness area.

Suggested daily activity schedule:

As this is not a game destination the activity schedule each day is very flexible. Some guests like to keep active all day long, some want to do nothing but relax on the beach and most want a balance between the two. Each day we chat to our guests and find out what they want to do from the activities available and then choose the correct schedule for them.

Meal schedule:

Breakfast is usually between 07h00and 08h00 and comprises fruits, cereals, juices, tea, coffee and Full English with choice of eggs.
Lunches between 12h30 and 13h30 - usually light with fresh salads, quiches, fruit etc.
Dinners are 3 courses and served around 20h00.
Meal times are totally flexible and are set around activities-not the other way around.

Electricity and water
During daylight hours the lodge has mains electricity and this changes to solar lighting in the evening. The hot water system is from wood burning boilers-this wood comes from Mozambique and is an income generating community project. The suppliers earn income and this goes towards the upkeep of reforestation woodlots.

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