Kaya Mawa Lodge - Lake Malawi Likoma Island Lodge Accommodation- Malawi

	Kaya Mawa Lodge is on Likoma Island, which is the larger of two small islands situated in the far north of Lake Malawi, 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, 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
Lake Malawi has over a thousand species of fish, more than all the freshwater species in Europe and North America combined! Many of these are endemic to the area.

Activities Available:
1) Guided dives for those already qualified at 20 different dive sites around Likoma Island - for Open Water 1 to Advanced
2) Dive Taiwanee reef, an underwater mountain 7km off Chizumulu, which rises from the depths (400m deep) to within 6m of the surface.
3) Dive with the tropical fish catchers.

Not available:
1) Scuba courses

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.

Reservations and Enquiries

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LAKE MALAWI:
Lake Malawi is one of the Great Rift Valley lakes and lies in a depression which plunges well below sea level - to a depth of at 2,300ft in the north. It is the third largest lake in Africa and has impressive proportions with approximate dimensions of 365 miles (584km) north to south and 52 miles (83km) wide. Half the south-eastern section of the lake belongs to Mozambique with the border running
through the centre of the water, while Tanzania lies along the north-eastern shore. Malawi is a long thin landlocked country, so the lake is extremely important as it takes up about one fifth of the country and many people make their living from it.

There are four busy ports and hundreds of fishing villages. However, there are still many stretches that are completely deserted with plenty of sandy beaches. Lake Malawi bears many qualities of a sea except salty water and for much of the year it is placid and welcoming, while at other times strong winds and storms can produce surfable waves. A section of the lake at Cape Maclear in the south, has been declared the world's first freshwater National Park and includes the peninsula of land and several islands.

It has more than all the freshwater species of Europe and USA put together. There are also larger edible fish such as mpasa (lake salmon), vundu (catfish) and tilapia (breem), but fishermen have been complaining that their catches are getting smaller. The national park is a sanctuary for the biologically unique, often brightly coloured little fish called cichlids, much prized by freshwater aquarium enthusiasts. These fish have adapted very quickly in evolutionary terms, resulting in a prolific number of species. More than 500 have been recorded but it is thought there could be 1,000 different species in the lake.

ANIMALS & BIRDS - AQUATIC LIFE
Lake Malawi's sub-aqua life is astounding and it can be like snorkelling in an aquarium. Many of the chichlids shine like polished silver as the sun refracts in the water, but there are many others like Cobalt Zebras and Mumbo Yellow (only found around Mumbo island within the national park), whose names reveal their dazzling colours.

Bird watching is an absolute pleasure and can be bewildering, as there is sometimes too much to look at! Within the national park it is not uncommon to find a pair of territorial fish eagles every 100 yards (100 metres). There are also countless kingfishers, herons and cormorants, all patrolling for food at different heights.

Reptile life is excellent with large monitor lizards, shiny skinks warming themselves on rocks and opaque geckos that come to life at night. Animals that might be seen on land are baboons, antelopes and hyrax.

SEASONS
Rainy Seasons: It usually rains from November to March and the storms are unpredictable. The air is clean at this time and there is no haze over the lake. The rain diminishes in April and May followed by gentle winds and calm water. Dry Season: July is cool and a little unsettled with more wind usually from the south east. The wind drops in August & September and the water becomes calmer.
October is one of the best months as the lake is calm and very clear and the air is hot.

LAKE MALAWI SPECIALITIES
• Swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving amongst colourful fish
• Warm lake water
• Fish Eagles
• Fresh fish for supper
• Watersports
• Friendly people

FACTS
This is a malarial area