Tribes Travel

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Tribes Travel

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Kaya Mawa Lodgeaerial viewpool near barMadimba House plunge poolMbamba Premium RoomNkwhazi Premium RoomMakengulu Premium Room

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Kaya Mawa

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About Kaya Mawa

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Kaya Mawa is in a superb location and offers stunning accommodation set amongst dramatic huge boulders and sandy bays. A wide range of activity options offer guests a memorable experience. This is the perfect place to escape the modern world and step back in time but enjoy modern comforts and services!  Ideal for honeymoons, families or friends.  The lodge has been rated by Code Nast Magazine as one of the planet\'s ten most romantic destinations.

Explore Likoma Island on foot or by bike or quad bike. The people here are extremely friendly and there is a lot to see including the amazing cathedral. Excellent diving and snorkelling can be enjoyed here, as well as kayaking, windsurfing and sailing.

Kaya Mawa is located on the south west tip of Likoma Island, which is still in Malawi but close to the shores of Mozambique, who 'own' the waters around the island. Likoma is covered with mango trees and ancient baobab trees, surrounded by sandy beaches and rocky coves. The lodge was built entirely by hand, in partnership with the local community. The accommodation is in stone and teak framed cottages set into a granite headland using natural resources as much as possible. Sandy beaches stretch in both directions from the lodge, surrounded by ancient baobab trees.

The food at Kaya Mawa is excellent and there is a fully stocked bar and a range of cold drinks. The restaurant is used for buffet breakfasts and lunches and there are many unique areas where dinner is served - on a beach, a deck, platform or on the gaebo. The cuisine is a superb mix of simple and delicious international cuisine. The bar and restaurant are split into melti deck levels and has seating at the bar or comfy sofas.  The bar has views to the south of Lake Malawi and offers superb sunsets.  For those needing to work while away (if you must!) there is a quiet office with wi-fi internet connection, and office equipment.

In April 2010, Kaya Mawa re-opened after a complete refurbishment and now features several premium rooms and private houses some with their own plunge pools and all rooms have improved decor and huge bathrooms. All have private terraces, most with direct access to the lake and all with large hand made beds.

There are four standard room (Khuyu, Ngani, Mbungu and Msekwa) which are at the bottom of a rocky outcrop with private decks and directly facing the lake.  There are two family houses (Ulissa & Yofu) which are at the back of the main beach under shady trees.  Both houses have one double and one twin or triple room with a shared bathroom and outside relaxing areas. The three premium rooms (Nkwahazi, Mbamba & Makengulu) have lake views from sleeping area and the verandahs.  One is a private island and the other two are perched up on the rocks with private pools.  The two luxury houses (Mainja and Madimba) are ideal for honeymooners.  Mainja House has sitting rooms, views over the lake and a private infinity pool at the far end of the beach for added privacy.  Madimba House has two bedrooms with a sitting room and rock plunge pool.

Another luxury house (Ndomo Point) will open in February 2011 and will be even bigger with 4 bedrooms and 3 en-suite bathrooms plus its own pool, private beach and is fully staffed.  This will be about 1 km from the main lodge but still have full use of all lodge facilities.

 

Gallery and information

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Highlights

  • Beautiful lake setting and stunning sunsets.
  • Fantastic snorkelling and diving.
  • Walks across the island and meeting local people.
  • Visit Likoma Cathedral
  • Unique style of eco-lodge set amongst huge boulders on sandy beaches.

Situation

South West Likoma Island, Lake Malawi.

Activities

Walking and biking round the island, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, diving, motor water sports, quad biking.

Facilities

En-suite rooms; private house accommodation; dining area; bars; pools; business centre.

Child policy

Children of all ages accepted but due to the proximity of lots of rocks and rope bridges and pools, very small children must be carefully supervised.

Open

Year round.

Best time

All year round. Late April to November has the best climate with June to August being the coolest (20-25 C during the day), the rest of the year day tempertures can be 30-37C). December to April is the rainy season but rain often falls in the evenings.

Inclusions

All meals, non-motorised water sports and cycling and guided walks.

Meals

All included. Meal times are totally flexible and are set around activities-not the other way around.

Pricing guidelines for Malawi

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We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £600 to £800 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). Malawi combines well with Zambia.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

  • Example tripPrice per person
  • 1 week holiday /safari staying in quality accommodationBetween £1800 and £3000
  • 1 week stay at high quality lakeside lodges (including the islands)From about £2500 +
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Your reviews

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  • Couldn't say enough about Kaya Mawa. We loved it. Absolutely loved it all.

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  • Feel Julie worked hard to allocate us the very best rooms both on safari and at Kaya Mawa where we feel chalet 4 was far better than Honeymoon Island....

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