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Sprawled along the white sandy beaches of Likoma Island, in the heart of Lake Malawi, is Kaya Mawa. This boutique lodge welcomes honeymooners, families and friends for an indulgently carefree getaway.
Meaning ‘maybe tomorrow’ in Chichewa/Nyanja, the ethos of Kaya Mawa is in its name. Relaxed lakeside living is woven into the style, luxury and comfort of its Houses and Rooms. Each of Kaya's eleven rooms and private villa is unique and offers something extraordinary. Serene and secret decks for sunbathing or romantic dinners; secluded lakeside chalets with private lounges. You may find yourself showering under the stars, taking a midnight dip in your private pool, or simply walking hand-in-hand after a moonlit supper on the beach.
If all the relaxation is too much, your days can be filled with everything from stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, kitesurfing, waterskiing, sailing and quad-biking, plus a full PADI dive school. And as the sun goes down on another perfect day, enjoy a massage at the spa, nestled in the rocks on the lake, and have the last of your cares soothed away as you wonder, "Shouldn't I be leaving?...maybe tomorrow."
Khuyu is the perfect place for those who wish to just relax and enjoy the lake. With direct beach and lake access, Khuyu also has the perfect deck for sunbathing and sundowners. The spacious bedroom with a shower and bath give you all the comfort you need while staying at Kaya Mawa. The first chalet on the beach, closest to the bar and restaurant, makes Khuyu ideally suited for the less agile. Khuyu is a Standard Room.
A favourite to many, nestled right on the edge of the lake, Msekwa is a picturesque chalet. Enter through an arched doorway, making your way down the steps passing the outdoor bath and shower, you arrive to your private deck. The outdoor living area leads you to a wooden walkway, giving direct access to the lake. Jump and snorkel right into the crystal clear waters and watch the abundance of fish that the lake has to offer. Msekwa is a Standard Room.
The second chalet from the beach, Mbungu is built higher up in the rocks giving you stunning views across the lake to the neighbouring island Chizimulu and the Kaya Mawa beach. A secluded chalet with an outdoor living area perfect for sundowners. Follow the stone stairway to the private deck with access straight into the lake. Mbungu is a Standard Room.
Want to stay on your own island? Make your way across the wooden bridge and you will find yourself at Makengulu. Covered in bougainvillea, a scenic chalet with an even more beautiful room leading out to a wooden deck with striking views to Mozambique. Swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi or enjoy sundowners on your private deck outside the room. Makengulu is a Premium Room.
Set higher up on the hill, Mbamba give you stunning views of the lake. Step out side the spacious bedroom to the plunge pool and deck, where you will find stunning views of Mozambique. And enjoy an outdoor foam bath or shower with more magnificent views. Mbamba is a room you will love to stay and relax. Mamba is a Premium room.
A beautifully crafted family beach chalet. Big enough for a family of 5, find yourself in a two roomed house with an interconnecting bathroom. The main room looks down across the beach straight into the lake. The other room perfect for children can fit two single beds with space for another that hangs from the roof. Ulissa is as close as you can get to the beach living, with a beautiful baobab tree on you doorstep. Ulissa is a Standard room.
Yofu is an ideal chalet with two separate rooms enough for a family of four. Nestled into the back of the beach partially hidden by a large mango tree, perfect for families wanting to spend as much time as possible on the beach and in the lake. A bathroom intersects the two rooms with a shower and a picturesque bath found at the top of some steps makes it an ideal place for star gazing while you relax in the foamy water. Yofu is a Standard Room.
Walk across the main Kaya Mawa beach and you will find a grand house called Madimba. The presidential suite with a large bedroom, a twin shower and a bath with a view of the pool. Simply relax in the sitting area that has your own private bar and fridge or sunbathe the day away on your large private deck, complete with lake views. What more could you want? Madimba is a Premium room.
Follow a wooden walkway from the main Kaya Mawa beach, pass the stunning infinity pool and you will arrive at Mainja house. A two bed roomed house with a Tanzania style seating area found in the middle. Sit and relax or cool off in the beautiful pool with views across to Honeymoon Island. Mainja is ideal for a family break or even friends staying in a group. Mainja is a Premium room.
On it's own private beach, with views over the neighbouring island of Chizimulu towards mainland Malawi, Ndomo House is a luxury four bedroom villa. Fully staffed with a private chef, guests will enjoy their own private sanctuary with all the facilities Kaya Mawa has to offer.
The first chalet on the beach, closest to the bar and restaurant makes Khuyu the perfect place for those who wish to just relax and enjoy the lake.
Our second chalet from the beach. Built higher up the rocks Mbungu has stunning views across the lake and across the Kaya Mawa beach. Below the chalet down a stone stairway is a private deck with access straight into the lake.
Nestled right on the edge of the lake, Msekwa is a photographer's favourite. Enter through an arched doorway. The wooden walkway allows you to make the best of the lake.
Almost at the top of a rocky knoll Nkhwazi boasts 180 degree views over the lake and across to Mozambique, a multi level deck with lounge area and a plunge pool with seating for two.
At the top of the knoll with 360 degree view of the lake. Stunning views whether it be from your bed or private plunge pool under the canopy of the ficus tree.
Want to stay on your own island? Make your way across the wooden bridge and find yourself at Makungulu. Covered in bougainvillea, a beautiful room leads out on to a wooden deck and jetty over the lake with striking views to Mozambique.
At the far end of the Kaya Mawa beach lies a grand house. A huge bedroom with a mezzanine sundowners spot, twin showers and a bath with a view over the deck to the pool or relax in the sitting room with a private bar. What more could you want?
A two bed roomed house with a Tanzania style seating area in the middle. Sit and relax or cool off in the beautiful plunge pool with views across to Honeymoon Island. Mainja is ideal for a family break or even friends staying together.
Wanting to stay as a family? Yofu is an ideal chalet with two separate rooms enough for a family of four. Nestled into the back of the beach partially hidden by a large mango tree, perfect for families wanting to spend as much time as possible on the beach and in the lake.
Our second family beach chalet. Big enough for a family of 5. A two roomed house with an interconnecting bathroom. The main room looks down across the beach straight into the lake. The other room perfect for children can fit two single beds with space for another that hangs from the roof leading out on to a shaded terrace.
Ndomo house has 4 bedrooms, three of which have their own bathrooms. The other has a bathroom located just outside the door. The house accommodates 8 people with access to your own private beach, kitchen and large living area. Your own plunge pool for the lazy days when the lake seems too far away.
Three large terraces, courtyard, outside dining and barbecue area, swimming pool and secluded beach. The house is fully staffed with a house manager, nanny, chefs, housekeepers, and watchmen.
The house is located on the South West corner of the island with uninterrupted views across to the neighbouring island. A year round sunset is a secret surprise, the only place on the island and as far as we know, the only place on the lake.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Private Vehicle (Available), Restaurant, Spa
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Babysitting Service, Credit Card Facilities, Foreign Exchange, Room Service, Travel Desk
Activities on Site
Beach Drop Off, Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Cycling, Fine Dining, Fishing, Kayaking, Kite Surfing, Massages, Quad Biking, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Walks (Self Guided), Water Skiing
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Big 5, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gorilla Tracking, Marine Adventures, Safaris, Whale Watching, Wildlife Tours
Kaya Mawa is partnered with Likoma Island Divers, a recognised PADI Resort. We have two in-house dive instructors who can cater for any skill levels and teach a full range of PADI courses, ensuring everybody can enjoy an underwater adventure during your stay. The centre is
able to teach courses all the way from a 3-hour discovery dive to Dive Master.
Likoma Island, surrounded by the pristine waters of Lake Malawi, is widely regarded as having the best diving on the Lake, both in terms of the diversity of fish species and their sheer abundance. With some of the best fresh water diving in the world and some 11 recognised dive sites nearby.
For the adventurous, why not experience the stunning Lake Malawi by boat and try your hand at water skiing and wake boarding, or for the younger ones, knee boarding and ringo.
We have skis that fit ages 5+ and a trained instructor on hand to give handy tips and pointers to ensure you will be on your feet (or knees) in no time.
Enjoy the island from the water, taking a local dhow boat to visit some of the best snorkelling spots and into town to visit the cathedral built in 1905. Make a day of it with a packed picnic and your favourite drinks, or set off for a sunset fishing cruise.
Explore the tranquility of Lake Malawi by kayak or stand up paddle board. Paddle to the neighbouring beaches or one of the smaller islands and admire the Mozambican coastline. Pack your snorkelling gear and enjoy some of Lake Malawi's 1000 species of fish, many endemic to the lake, more than all the freshwater species in Europe and North America combined.
Explore Likoma Island by E Bike making the excursion around the island not only silent but eco friendly as well. Visit the cathedral built in 1905, Katundu textiles workshop, the majestic valley of the baobabs and some of the eleven local villages. The warmth of the locals will make you feel right at home on Likoma.
A much more leisurely way to take the island, led by a guide you will be shown all the sights of Likoma without working up a sweat.
Single and double sailing boats are available for both the experienced and novice. Kaya Mawa offers three Lasers and one Laser 2 for our guests to enjoy, either sailing solo or with our instructor. Take a quick lesson with our expert instructors before sailing off into the majestic waters of Lake Malawi.
