KAYA MAWA, LAKE MALAWI

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

  • sleeper

    Kaya Mawa, Lake Malawi

    Our View

    Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination.

    The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves.

    Picture this...

    Enjoying a sundowner in total tranqility after a long day spent doing as much or as little as you like.

     

    More... Ask a Question

More about Kawa Maya

About The Lodge

Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create an idyllic island lodge of unique character and imagination. Kaya Mawa is located on Likoma Island, in the middle of Lake Malawi close to Mozambique, and is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves. Recently completely renovated with beautiful refurbishments and reopened in April 2010. It has been rated by Condé Nast Magazine as one of the planet's ten most romantic destinations.

Individually designed, stone and teak-framed thatched accommodation consists of 7 rooms and 4 houses. All with ensuite bathroom, private terrace and either a private plunge pool or direct access to the water. The new beach bar, restaurant and lounge areas are spacious and airy and enjoy undoubtedly the best views on the lake

Stone and teak-framed thatched accommodation including two family houses and luxurious houses, ideal for honeymooners.

• 4 x Standard Rooms – Khuyu, Ngani, Mbungu, Msekwa at the bottom of the rocky knoll with private decks
and direct lake.
• 2 x Family Houses - Ulissa & Yofu are also at the back of the main beach under the shade of a baobab or
mango tree. Both family houses have a double and a twin/triple room, an interconnecting bathroom and
outside chill out areas.
• 3 x Premium Rooms - Nkwhazi, Mbamba & Makengulu offer lake views from sleeping areas and
verandahs. Either a private island or one of two rooms perched high up a rocky knoll with a private pool.
• 3 x Houses : -
Mainja House - Private two bedroom house, with sitting room and rock plunge pool.
Madimba House - Private house, with sitting rooms, views across the lake and private infinty pool and at the far end of the beach for added privacy.
Ndomo Point House  - Four bedrooms, 3 en-suites, sitting room, family kitchen, 5
terraces, study, pool, private beach, and full use of Kaya Mawa facilities. Approx.1 km from the lodge.

 

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

• Walking or biking around the island is a must. The local population is legendary both for its friendliness and
thus a simple unescorted stroll around the island perhaps with a few cold drinks and snacks is a wonderful
experience where one can stop off to swim en route, engage the locals in conversation and visit the cathedral,
local school and the lively market nearby. Take a stroll to the local textile project, Katundu - www.katundu.net.
Mountain bikes are available for use.
• The waters around the lodge are both safe and clear (free of hippos) and swimming and snorkelling are on
offer - some of the best fresh water snorkelling in the world is right here(snorkels and masks are provided).
• Kayaking, windsurfing and sailing (3 lasers and a laser 2)
Optional Activities
Diving - Kaya Mawa is also a PADI acredited dive centre with two in house PADI dive instructors. The centre
is able to teach courses all the way from a 3 hour discovery dive to Dive Master. With some of the best fresh water
diving in the world and some 11 recognised dive sites nearby.
• Watersports - Three boats available for wakeboarding, waterskiing and kneeboarding.
• Kaya Mawa has a qualified sailing instructor in-house, plus waterski instructor.
• Quad biking
Children
Kaya Mawa welcomes children of all ages and offer excellent reduced child rates.

 

When To Go

May:

Lovely clear blue skies, the rains
have finished. The lake is full and
temperatures are around 30 degrees.

June - August:
Our coolest season. We have a prevailing wind that blows through for a few days at a time keeping temperatures down to 20-25 degrees in the day and as low as 16 at night. The mornings tend to be calm and then by midday the wind picks up occasionally producing a swell not much different from the sea.

September - December:
It slowly warms up to up to about 37 degrees, the water reaching 20+ degrees. Clear blue skies during the day and starry nights abound.

December - April:
Our rainy season although it doesn't tend to rain much during the days. The rain normally starts around 9 at night and stops by 5 in the morning, no guarantees though. The temperature is cooler than November as the evening showers cool down the land. Temperatures during the day reach about 30 degrees with medium humidity.

Getting There

By Air:
You'll need to get to Lilongwe (Kamuzu) airport. The favoured route seems to be via Johannesburg and then catching the SAA or Air Malawi flight to Lilongwe. SAA does not fly to Lilongwe on Wednesdays or Saturdays, alternative routes are through Nairobi and Addis. Once at Lilongwe, you'll need to clear customs (we can have someone meet you and guide you through if you want) and then on to a light aircraft to bring you up to the island. It's about an hour's flight from Lilongwe to Likoma with beautiful scenery all the way up. For more infomration of flights and rates get in touch and we can help out.

By Water:
How about jumping aboard a 1956 tramp steamer, the Ilala. Once getting to Lilongwe we can arrange for a vehicle to take you down to Chipoka, the nearest port. From there the ferry can pick you up and bring you up to the Island. It's a 36 hour trip with a few stops on the way. It's how the locals get out to the island and is always an interesting experience. Be warned it is not the most reliable form of transport and it only visits the island once a week (Fridays) from Chipoka.

 

 

Almost you...?

Malawi and neighbouring Zambia and Mozambique offer tremendous and opportunities for independent travellers kee to explore this part of Africa.

Contact us now for inspirational ideas.

Independent View

A rustic island paradise perfect for relaxation and solitude. Wonderful local people and attentive service make Kaya Mawa a delight to visit and hard to leave.


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