Kaya Mawa

Location: Lake Malawi & Likoma Island | Malawi

Price guide: £££££ £200-£350 per person per night

Mention the name “Kaya Mawa” and past visitors turn misty eyed and start plotting an escape to Malawi. This is one of those legendary lodges that send Africaphiles into raptures, and makes first timers want to return again and again. Perched on the shore of Likoma Island, this is a retreat from modern life and an escape from the outside world.

Perfect forRobinson Crusoe, Girl Friday, and the Swiss Family Robinson.

In the knowIf you stay on a Sunday, be sure to visit the cathedral for a few hours to hear the choir singing. Enchanting, even for the truly tone-deaf!

Recommended for...

Beach
Family-friendly
Honeymoon
Lodge

Hotel Overview

Where

On the shore of Likoma Island and surrounded by the turquoise waters of Lake Malawi.

Rooms at Kaya Mawa

There are no standard rooms at Kaya Mawa. Each one carries its own little piece of African magic. Some dip their toes in the waters of Lake Malawi, while others hide snugly away amongst the boulders of the lake shore. There’s a private island for honeymooners, and a house for families and groups of friends.

Food and facilities

At Kaya Mawa, they stick to what’s nearby. Delicious South African wines, freshly caught lake fish, and local coconuts. The bar’s perfectly positioned for sundowners, and dinner moves daily, making every evening a delightful surprise.

Activities at Kaya Mawa

For water babies, there’s plenty to do, from sailing, snorkelling and scuba diving, to waterskiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. For land-lubbers, the gentle charm of Likoma Island is irresistible. You’ll feel like the Pied Piper with a crowd of shy, giggling children following you on your walks, and waving with glee as you cycle through the villages. For a gentler exploration the lodge also has quad bikes and an obliging guide.