Boutique Luxury

Kaya Mawa

Kaya Mawa is an intimate, beautifully designed lodge on a lovely beach on the tiny Likoma Island, situated in the middle of Lake Malawi. It is deemed to be one of the most isolated and unique destinations in Malawi, perfect for families or honeymooners!

Likoma Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi
Kaya Mawa
  • Wild remote location, with cultural interest

  • Safe and calm fresh water swimming

  • Excellent watersports and diving

  • Interesting onland island activities, such as a visit to the Likoma Cathedral


Kaya Mawa means 'maybe tomorrow' and to visit Likoma Island is to step back in time. Measuring just 17 square kilometres, the local people survive largely by fishing and rice or cassava farming. The island has hundreds of huge baobab trees and a number of glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves. In the main town of Mbamba, is the beautiful and vast St Peter's Cathedral - supposedly the same size as Winchester Cathedral.

The waters surrounding Kaya Mawa are crystal clear throughout the year and the diving and snorkelling is excellent. With a range of water sports from the gentle paddling of a kayak to learning to wake-board, Kaya Mawa has something to suit all ages and stages, and the excellent PADI dive school will teach beginners or escort experienced divers to the wondrous underwater world. Lake Malawi has an enormous diversity of fresh water fish, and the waters around Kaya Mawa are widely known to offer the very best diving in the whole of the lake.

This small lodge is built on and around a rocky outcrop jutting into the lake with two beaches and the stunning views over the expanse of blue fresh water. Just 26 guests can be accommodated at any one time and each of the cottages has its individual style - many of the rooms have part of the rocks, trees and headlands forming features of the rooms, it is a very organic and natural style. Five of the rooms have two bedrooms making them ideal for families. The lodge is very welcoming of children and is an ideal destination for all ages.

Ndomo House is set on a private beach 2 coves away from the hotel. This is a four bedroom private house equipped with its own chef, butler, nanny and speedboat. The house has a gorgeous private pool. This is the perfect set up for a family or group travelling together wanting total privacy and plenty of space.

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Top tip:

Explore the cathedral on Likoma Island – they say it is as big as Winchester Cathedral. A pretty incredible feat for such a tiny island in the middle of Lake Malawi.

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Facilities

Fishing

Fishing

Sailing

Sailing

Windsurfing

Windsurfing


Location

Likoma Island, Lake Malawi, Malawi

Kaya Mawa is on the remote Likoma Island, in the middle of Lake Malawi. Lake Malawi is situated on the eastern boarder of Malawi, in which Likoma Island is nearest to the eastern shores of Lake Malawi, across from the Kahingina Forest Reserve.

Kaya Mawa can be reached by a 10-hour international flight to Lilongwe Airport in Malawi, from which Likoma Island is another 50-minute domestic flight from Lilongwe Airport. Once on the island, the hotel is a 15-minute transfer by car.


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