Kaya Mawa Fact File Owners: Nicholas Brown & James Lightfoot Hosts: Michelle & Richard Concept: Translated as "Maybe tomorrow” in the local Tonga dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings to create a getaway lodge of unique character, imagination and very special ambiance. Fully renovated with beautiful refurbishments, Kaya Mawa re-opened in April 2010. Location: Rated by Condé Nast Magazine as one of the planet's ten most romantic destinations, Kaya Mawa is located on the southwestern tip of Likoma Island in the middle of Lake Malawi, close to Mozambique. The island is covered with mango trees and ancient baobabs and encircled by glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves. Accommodation: Stone and teak-framed thatched accommodation including two family cottages and luxurious houses, ideal for honeymooners. • 3 x Standard Rooms – Khuyu, MBungu, Msekwa at the bottom of the rocky knoll with private decks and direct lake access. • 2 x Family Houses - Ulissa & Yofu are also at the back of the main beach under the shade of a baobab or mango tree. Both family houses have a double and a twin/triple room, an interconnecting bathroom and outside chill out areas. • 4 x Premium Rooms - Nkwhazi, Ngani, Mbamba & Makengulu offer lake views from sleeping areas and verandahs. Either a private island or one of two rooms perched high up a rocky knoll with a private pool. • 2 x Houses: - MadimBa House - Private house, with sitting room, views across the lake and private infinity pool and at the far end of the beach for added privacy. Mainja House - Private two-bedroom house, with sitting room and rock plunge pool. • Ndomo Point House - 4 bedrooms and 3 ensuite bathrooms. Pool, private beach fully staffed. Facilities: • The restaurant is set to one side of the bar and is used for breakfast and lunches. Kaya Mawa has many unique areas where dinners are served – on the beach, a deck, and platform or on the gazebo. An eclectic mix of simple and delicious international cuisine enjoyed at your own private table. • The bar & restaurant are split into a multi level deck, which offers seating at the bar or comfy sofas. • The bar, just meters from the water, offers fantastic sunset views all the way to the south of the lake. • WiFi – quiet office with wireless Internet connectivity, computers, scanners & printers. Included Activities: • Walking or biking around the island is a must. The local population is legendary for its friendliness and thus a simple unescorted stroll around the island, perhaps with a few cold drinks and snacks is a wonderful experience. One can stop off to swim en route, engage the locals in conversation and visit the cathedral, local school and the lively market nearby. Take a stroll to the local textile project, Katundu - www.katundu.net. Mountain bikes are also available for use. • The waters around the lodge are both safe and clear (free of hippos and crocs) and swimming and snorkeling are on offer - some of the best fresh water snorkeling in the world is right here (snorkels/masks are provided). • Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and sailing (3 lasers and a laser 2) Optional Activities: • Diving - Kaya Mawa is also a PADI accredited dive centre with two in house PADI dive instructors. The centre is able to teach courses all the way from a 3-hour discovery dive to Dive Master. With some of the best fresh water diving in the world and some 11 recognised dive sites nearby. • Watersports - Three boats available for wakeboarding, waterskiing and knee boarding. • Kaya Mawa has a qualified sailing instructor, plus watersports instructor. • Quad biking tours. • Kite Boarding courses are available upon request. How to Get There: Likoma Island is accessible by daily charter flights from Lilongwe (duration approx. 50 minutes) and 15-minute road transfer. Guests travelling from Botswana or Namibia could detour via Victoria Falls, simply flying to Kasama, then drive a little over an hour to Livingstone, take in the Falls for a night or two and fly from Livingstone to Likoma in half a day. From Namibia there is the option to fly to Likoma via Lusaka. From Rwanda and Uganda guests can leave Kigali or Entebbe first thing in the morning and arrive at Kaya Mawa by 3pm the same day (connecting through Nairobi). Children: Kaya Mawa welcomes children of all ages and offer excellent reduced child rates. Health: It is recommended guests be advised to consult their doctor on suitable malaria prophylactics, as Malawi is a malaria region. Kaya Mawa tests regularly for bilharzia and results have proven clear every time. Visas: Visas are not required for Malawi if traveling on United Kingdom, USA and most European passports. Please enquire with the nearest Consulate of Malawi or for further details view: www.malawihighcom.org.uk Climate / Seasons: Great year-round destination. Best climate can be experienced from late Apr to Nov, with June to Aug being the coolest months (20-25 degrees during the day) and the remainder of the year often experiencing higher temperatures of 30-37 degrees. The months of Dec to Apr are the rainy season, however rains often tend to fall in the evenings. ResponsiBle Tourism: As an integral part of the community from the outset, Kaya Mawa has been involved in support and development within the community. They have been involved in numerous different projects, from piping water to the villages to the development of education programs. For further details of their project www.malawidream.com The Area: To visit Likoma Island is to step back in time. Likoma Island remains almost untouched since its discovery by Scottish Missionaries at the end of the nineteenth century. The island measures just 17sq km with dirt roads and a few vehicles, the local people survive largely by fishing and rice and Cassava farming. The island has hundreds of huge baobab trees and a number of glorious sandy beaches and rocky coves. There are no hippos and Kaya Mawa tests regularly for bilharzia and results have proven clear every time. T: +265 99 931 8360 E: [email protected] W: www.kayamawa.com .