A chic lodge promising barefoot luxury, Kaya Mawa Lodge is an isolated island retreat with style and soul. An ideal accommodation for some of the best freshwater snorkeling and beach-dwelling after a safari adventure.
Awarded: Bronze
Location
The lodge sits beside a lake on the southern coast of Likoma Island, boasting its own private beach leading to crystal clear waters. The island is full of huge baobab trees, sandy beaches and coves to explore. The island measuring just 17 square kilometres and sits in the middle of Lake Malawi, and although the island is closer to Mozambique, it belongs to Malawi.
Rooms
11 rooms are built into rocky headlands and each is named after different villages on the island. White washed walls house interiors brimming with style, including handmade, beaded fabrics resembling the blue lake, chandeliers and tumbled glass lampshades. En-suite bathrooms offer rain showers and stone bathtubs with a view. For added luxury, premium rooms have private plunge pools on the veranda while others have direct beach access. For guests travelling in a larger group, Ndomo House is two coves away, offering a four-bedroom private house with its own chef, butler, pool and speedboat!
Communal Areas
A dining room, bar and lounge area overlook the beach with chairs and sofas made of old dhow boats. The interiors are overlooked by chandeliers and are adorned with handmade and sustainably sourced furniture and materials, including clay from the nearby workshop, Katundu. Seating areas on the sand have comfy chairs and wooden coffee tables for watching the sunset in a peaceful setting.Â
Activities
Activities revolve around the lake and include snorkeling, kayaking, paddle-boarding and kite-surfing. Guests can also make use of the spa overlooking the water or simply doze on the beach. The Katundu workshop, set up to empower local women, is a 30-minute walk away and worth the visit. To get a better sense of the island, take a Land Rover tour to visit the huge St Peter’s Cathedral and local markets.
All Inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
Like the majority of Southern Africa, Malawi has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. With small regional variations aside, the wet season starts between October and November and lasts through to April or May. The dry season lasts from April or May all the way through to October or November, with clear skies dominating. The occasional shower is still possible during this time, just unlikely. Although it is possible to visit Malawi throughout the year, we would recommend visiting during the dry season when clear skies and cooler temperatures dominate.
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What People Say
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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We got in touch after hearing about Hide & Seek from a friend. Have to say hats off to Jamie, he was so patient throughout, even through our indecisiveness! Ultimately we ended up with the most incredible holiday of our lives. Thank you again, we will be back!!
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Thank you for arranging our Safari holiday in Kenya and Tanzania for us. It was to celebrate our 40th. Wedding anniversary which was on July 1st. 2018, and through your arrangements, we have had a holiday that we will never forget...
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Thanks so much for a truly unforgettable once in a life time holiday. Hopefully we will be in touch again soon!
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Spot on in terms of itinerary . We not disappointed by any of the suggestions and had the best holiday ever! Thank you!
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Jamie was very helpful throughout the booking process and recommended the perfect holiday. There was nothing we would change having now been out to Tanzania. I would highly recommend Hide & Seek to friends and relatives.
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Jamie was excellent. Once I described what we wanted I knew he would come up with the business. ..and he did!!! 5 stars
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We spoke to numerous travel agents over the period we looked at booking our honeymoon and only hide and seek gave me the confidence I was looking for. Really pleased with our decision.
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Hide and seek dealt with our last minute travel plans extremely well. Obviously, our accommodations shifted as availability diminished but ultimately they came up with a vacation that we will never forget.
