KAYA MAWA
Likoma Island, Malawi

Introduction

Kaya Mawa - Likoma Island is the larger of two small islands situated in the far north of Lake Malawi, well over 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 (including Padi diving courses), 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 Courses

The lodge has its own PADI accredited instructor and excellent dive equipment and can offer casual dives as well as a full range of instruction - PADI Open Water One courses (the minimum requirement for someone to be able to dive unaccompanied takes 4 days) and half day resort courses (to allow someone to dive accompanied by the instructor).

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.

Pricing

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

Climate

Likoma is the driest part of Malawi and also one of the hottest.
January/February/March: Hot days with rain often on the afternoon. The whole island becomes very lush and green and the views are fantastic. The rain dampens down the dust and puts out the fires of the late dry season and provides sparkling air and wonderful vistas of the forested shores of nearby Mozambique.
April/May: Dry warm days and pleasant cool nights with light breezes.
June/July/August: Dry with warm days and cool nights and occasional strong winds.
September/October: Hot to very hot days with warm nights.
November/December: Hot to very hot days-warm nights, perhaps some early light rain.

Accommodation

Kaya Mawa's main building is situated high on a rocky promontory overlooking the lake and has three rooms on the lower western side of the promontory. On the long sweeping beach below and to the west of the main promontory there are another two chalets. At the far end of the beach a good 10 minute walk from the main building and set high on the rocks overlooking the bay are another two chalets. There are two rooms on their own rocky outcrops to the east of the main building. The honeymoon island is a good 50 metres out into the lake depending on prevailing water levels and is accessed by boat or by swimming.

Each room has: Raised four poster mahogany bed, sunken bath, shower and loo, fans, soaps and shampoos, outside seating area, insect repellent.

Facilities

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

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.

Extras payments

Extras can be paid for in either US$, Euros, South African Rand, British Pounds or Malawi Kwacha cash. There are no credit card facilities.

Flying times

Based on a Cessna 206 or similar, the flying times to and from Likoma are approximately as follows:
Lilongwe: 60 minutes
Chelinda Lodge Nyika: 35 minutes
Mvuu Lodge: 90 minutes

Airstrip Details

12 05 South
34 44 East
Elevation:1600 feet
Length: 800 metres

Laundry

Laundry is free of charge and can usually be delivered back the same day.

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.

By air

Likoma Island has an airstrip which is about 4 kilometres from the lodge and this can be accessed easily from all other airstrips in Malawi. The flight in and out is a feature of a trip to the island. When coming from the north (Chelinda Lodge) the flight path is over the sheer Nyika escarpment and offers dramatic views of the steep Livingstone Mountains in Tanzania. When coming from Lilongwe the flight path is over the old slave settlement of Nkhotakota and the wooded hills of Central Malawi. A flight from Mvuu is perhaps the most dramatic of all, passing over the scenic Cape Maclear Peninsula and then along the thickly forested Mozambican shores of the lake.

By ferry

The Mv Ilala, named after David Livingstone's second steamer used in this region runs a weekly ferry service from Monkey Bay in the south around the whole lake, calling twice at Likoma. The Ilala is essentially a local bus service on the lake servicing many small communities whose only contact with the outside world is this boat's weekly visit.
The top deck offers 4 cabins which are basic and comfortable rather than luxurious and while the timetable is occasionally a work of fiction rather than fact , the ferry is a wonderful way of seeing the lake, meeting the people and arriving at this wonderful island. Owing to the very limited cabin space availability is often limited.

By private yacht charter:

Danforth Yachting based at Cape Maclear run a luxurious 38 foot ocean going catamaran-the "Mufasa" which sleeps a total of 8 guests and can be chartered as part of a package that includes Kaya Mawa.

Please contact us for current rates: