Set on the pristine white sands of Likoma Island, Kaya Mawa is a boutique island lodge designed for honeymooners, families, and friends in search of a blissfully carefree escape.
The name Kaya Mawa, which means "maybe tomorrow" in Chichewa/Nyanja, captures our easygoing spirit.
This said, there's plenty to do and see while staying here, with a range of activities fit for every kind of traveller.
Whether you're plunging into exciting water sports like kayaking, enjoying a soothing spa treatment, or simply relaxing on the beach with your loved one, Kaya Mawa offers an unparalleled lakeside and island life experience.
On Likoma Island, each day is yours to plan out or simply take as it comes. You can choose to stay on the warm sand, head for the sparkling water or even relax all day on your private deck. Sometimes, just walking along the beach at sunrise or watching the lake glisten at night is all you need to feel the magic of the island. Take a look at all the options below.
Along with our complementary activities, you can choose from a host of non-inclusive activities to add to your days at Kaya Mawa. Want to know our favourite? It has to be our charming little spa, which is our antidote to those niggling aches and pains. Afterwards, you will float across the boardwalk back to the beach, glowing and stress-free. Take a look at all the options below.
Visit our reforestation project that is made up of six community-managed tree nurseries that have planted 1200 seedlings to establish a continuous planting cycle for years to come and build awareness around conservation on the island.
Meet the talented local artisans at the Katundu Workshop who create beautiful home décor pieces – often using recycled materials – which generate a sustainable income for their families.
Learn how our Sponsor an Island Child programme drives access to education for children in secondary school and university, supporting their development and future success within Malawi and beyond.
Hop aboard one of our Taz or Topaz for a sailing safari on Lake Malawi. Conditions for sailing are excellent here since there are no tides or currents, but there's always a light breeze for sail boats.
Explore the pristine waters of Lake Malawi in an underwater adventure, no matter your skill level. The only requirement? To leave the water with a bunch of great memories! No need to bring your own goggles, snorkel and fins as each House and Room at Kaya Mawa has its own snorkelling gear.
Grab a kayak and paddle before setting off to explore the waters and other parts of the island beyond our bay. Watch as colourful fish flash in the clear water below you and look out to the Mozambican coastline beyond. The only sounds are those of nature - birds calling to each other and waves lapping against the kayak's bow - and you leave the water feeling rejuvenated.
Enjoy the warmth of the sun on your back and the cool breeze blowing off the water as you glide across the lake on one of our stand-up paddle boards. It doesn't matter if you're not a pro because you will soon be balancing, paddling and having fun, all at the same time. Paddle along the shoreline, enjoying the beauty of the beach from a different perspective.
Head out into the forests to spot some of the island's colourful birdlife or simply enjoy what feathered friend comes to visit while sipping your morning coffee. Likoma is home to over 100 different birds species, including huge colonies of white-breasted cormorants, black-shouldered and yellow-billed kites, and four types of kingfisher. And the cry of an African fish eagle is a sound you can never grow tired of.
Request a guided tour of our on-site community garden from our lodge managers, where our chefs draw inspiration from seasonal, organic produce. During the tour, you'll discover the essentials of soil quality, composting, planting cover crops, mulching, and collecting baobab fibres from fallen trees. Our team will further explain farm management principles and environmentally friendly practices. This initiative not only fosters employment but also promotes alternative agriculture and chemical-free farming.
Just a short walk from our main area, tucked discreetly within the island's lush vegetation, lies a hidden lookout spot you won't want to miss. Here, you can take in breathtaking views of the sun setting over the lodge and the expansive lake. It's also an ideal location for birdwatching or enjoying a sundowner. Feel free to ask our team for directions or to arrange your favourite drinks for a perfect evening.
Though small, Likoma Island boasts an abundance of talent. Relish the live music performed by a local band on the beach in front of our main area. With a perfectly crafted cocktail in hand and the sunset over Lake Malawi as your backdrop, you'll find it hard to resist dancing barefoot on the sand.
Explore the island at your own pace and along your preferred route with our solar-powered electric mountain bikes. Will you venture off the beaten path or stay closer to the heart of the island? The choice is yours. Identify the source of a beautiful bird call, or chat with a welcoming local from Likoma. A guided tour with insider's knowledge can be arranged.
Go on an underwater adventure in Malawi's giant freshwater aquarium, which has more species of colourful cichlid fish than any other lake in the world. We are a recognised PADI Resort and our in-house Divemaster knows the best spots to experience the lake's diverse aquatic life.
Indulge in a massage treatment at the Kaya Spa, which is perched on a rocky outcrop in Lake Malawi with a wooden boardwalk connecting it to the beach. Relax, meditate or even drift off to sleep as one of therapists work their magic on you to the soundtrack of lapping waves and African fish eagles. This is part of the Kaya antidote to niggling aches, pains and stress!
Try your hand at one or both of these exhilarating water sports. With skis that fit ages 5+ and a trained instructor give handy tips and pointers, you will be on your feet or knees in no time.
Tour Likoma Island by vehicle, including stops at St. Peter's Cathedral, the Katundu Workshop, and the vibrant local town.
St. Peter's Cathedral is a striking landmark on Likoma Island, built between 1903 and 1911. As one of the oldest and most significant Christian structures in Malawi, it showcases the Gothic Revival architecture designed by British architect George Frederick Bodley-an unusual and impressive style for the region.
Katundu Workshop provides sustainable income for the local community, especially women, through artisanal training, and is proudly supported by our Green Safaris Conservation Foundation. The focus is on using locally sourced, upcycled materials to craft beautiful interior décor.
Round the island tours include Jalo Town, Cathedral, snorkelling stops, and picnic lunch with drinks. Available by speedboat or dhow boat.