Kaya Mawa

12°5’30.1"S 34°43’2.0"E

96% (27 reviews)

Kaya Mawa: Information from the owner

General information

Type: Lodge

No. of rooms: 11

About this information

All the information on this page is supplied to us directly from the lodge owner and reflects their view, not ours.

For Expert Africa's view, see our own full report on Kaya Mawa, which contains our own observations and views.

Last updated by Owner: 27 Oct 2023

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Facilities at Kaya Mawa

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
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
Nearby activities: Animal Encounters, Big 5, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gorilla Tracking, Marine Adventures, Safaris, Whale Watching, Wildlife Tours
Languages: English

Room types at Kaya Mawa

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Khuyu

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.

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Madimba

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.

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Mainja

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.

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Makengulu

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.

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Mbamba

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.

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Mbungu

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.

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Msekwa

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.

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Ndomo House

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.

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Ngani

Ngani is set on the second beach, set into the rocks with views of the Mozambique coastline. A private hideaway, with a large deck, outdoor seating and enormous plunge pool leading into the lake. The small rocky island in front of the chalet bursts with birdlife throughout the year. Ngani is a Premium Room.

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Nkhwazi

A room that becomes a quick favourite to whoever stays. Nhkwazi gives you plenty of space both in and outdoors. Beautifully designed with wooden decked floors, impressive outdoor bathroom, stunning views across the lake and stunning infinity pool. You will never want to leave. Nkhwazi is a Premium Room.

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Ulissa

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.

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Yofu

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.

Activities at Kaya Mawa

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E Biking

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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Island Boat Trips

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.

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Sailing

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.

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Scuba Diving / Snorkelling

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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Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Kayaking

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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Water Sports - Waterskiing, Wake boarding, Tubing

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.