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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."
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.
Hidden away within the western tip of a rocky knoll, Khuyu commands sweeping views of Lake Malawi. It is the first room on the water, with easiest access to the beach and restaurant and all the peace and privacy needed for a relaxing retreat. The lantern-lit bathtub is where you’ll want to be when the sun goes down.
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. The bed has been built snuggly into the original beach boulders and there is space in the bedroom for a baby cot. Mbungu is a Standard Room.
Want to stay on your own island? Make your way across the wooden bridge and find yourself at Makungulu. Perched on its own private rocky isle and draped in pink bougainvillea, Makungulu makes quite an impression before stepping foot inside. The shaded stone terrace has a cosy corner seat and dining table for two and extends to a wooden deck with loungers and a jetty over the lake with striking views to Mozambique.
Meaning ‘fish eagle’ in Nyanja, Nkhwazi gives you a near bird’s eye view out to Nkhwazi Island and the south of Lake Malawi from the top of a rocky knoll. There is an understated elegance to Nkhwazi. The white-washed bedroom area steps down onto wooden decked floors that flow outside to three private decks at the front of your room. Here, the warm sun beckons you to unwind in the infinity pool and seating area with a panoramic vista that is all yours.
The fish eagle’s call is fondly referred to as ‘The soundtrack of Africa’. Not a day goes by on Likoma Island without hearing it and yet you never grow tired of the sound. It has become part of the natural rhythm at Kaya Mawa. Nkhwazi sleeps 3 people.
Whether from the comfort of the luxurious bed or plunge pool under the ficus tree canopy, Mbamba commands stunning panoramic views of the lake and surrounds.
The large bed with driftwood headboard and canopy of draped mosquito netting takes centre-place in Mbamba. Then, out to one side of the room is a large deck with lounging area and plunge pool, and on the other, an intimate dining area.
Even though it sits at the top of a rocky knoll, Mbamba blends effortlessly into its natural surrounds, with bougainvillea bushes adding a touch of pink and purple to the greenery. This attracts some feathered visitors, like bee-eaters and weaver birds, which always provide colourful and chatty entertainment as they flit between the branches. Mamba is a Premium room and sleeps 3 people.
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. he bright, airy main bedroom has double doors leading out onto a secluded section of the beach where your own dhow-lounge space awaits. The shared full bathroom has an open-air bathtub and shower on the second level, which makes for magical stargazing while soaking. The second bedroom sleeps two children.
Our second family beach chalet. Ulisa is a large two-roomed house with a full bathroom between the bedrooms. Double doors in the master bedroom open to a spectacular view across the white sand to the lake. The second room sleeps three children in single beds, one of them hung from the roof! The house also has it's own outdoor lounging and dining area.
Designed with love and luxury in mind, Madimba is well-deserving of its title as the ‘Honeymoon House’. This grand house lies at the far west end of the Kaya Mawa beach. Opening out in front of the large, split-level bedroom is your own infinity pool with magical views across Lake Malawi to Mozambique. Indulge in romantic, starlit dinners and relax on sun loungers under the African sky from the comfort of your private deck.
To one side of the bedroom is a huge en-suite bathroom with double vanities, shower and double-ended sunken bath that looks over the deck to the lake. On the other side of the room, the sitting room with bar beckons you to relax in the cool, stone-walled interior.
Whether indoors or outdoors, Mainja immerses you in its beautiful natural setting for an unforgettable lakeside experience spent with friends and family. A long wooden walkway and concrete causeway leads you to where this majestic house sits on a rocky outcrop on the northern side of Kaya Mawa’s beach. In usual Kaya Mawa style, Mainja is tastefully decorated with statement art pieces and splashes of colour amidst white linens, natural furnishings, stone walls and polished floors.
Ndomo Private House
Located on the south west corner of Likoma island, Ndomo Private House is completely exclusive and secluded from the outside world. Built around boulders around the rocky hill. Inspired by the architecture of Zanzibar, Zambia and Kenya, Ndomo interior style has been imaginatively paired with African antiques and contemporary bespoke pieces created largely at Katundu Workshop.
There is a large living room with deck, kitchen and dining area, study and media room. Outside you will find three large terraces and a courtyard, dining and barbeque area, and plunge pool, all with panoramic views of the lake and beyond. You have the private beach in front of the House all to yourself.
Ndomo is fully staffed with a nanny, cook, housekeeper, ground staff and watchmen. You also enjoy all the facilities and activities that Kaya Mawa has to offer and are welcome to spend as much time as you wish at the lodge.
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.
Property Facilities
Activity Desk, Bar, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Balcony / Deck, Bath, Detached Private Bathroom, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, Fan, Fridge, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Pure Cotton Linen, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Complimentary), Credit Card Facilities, Disability, Foreign Exchange, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Private Vehicle (Available), 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, Walks (Self Guided), Water Skiing
Activities Nearby
Animal Encounters, Big 5, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gorilla Tracking, Marine Adventures, Safaris, 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.
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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 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.
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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.
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.
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