Lake Malawi lodge accommodation
| country: | Mozambique |
| location: | Lake Malawi |
| price: | From US $190 per person sharing in High Season (1st May – 9th Jan),US $160 per person sharing in Green Season (10th Jan – 31st April). This includes accommodation, meals and all lodge activities. Bar not included. |
read 1 travellers review
description
The Setting
This lodge is one of Mozambique's new stunning lodges found on the shores of Lake Niassa. The location was chosen for it's beauty, tranquility, crystal clear fresh water, white beaches and feeling of remoteness – there are no cars and the only access is by boat. The lodge is very private with only 7 chalets all uniquely designed to blend in with the local environment.
The chalets are spacious, the beds large and comfortable with their own veranda and bathroom with private views onto the lake. The intent has always been to preserve the rugged beauty of this untouched and isolated paradise and great efforts have been made to keep the lodge environmentally sound. At the lodge, relax on the beach or the many areas around the lodge, fish, snorkel in it's natural aquarium, sunbathe, stargaze, sail or try your luck in a traditional dugout canoe. Guided walks are tailor made to incorporate waterfalls, viewpoints, local villages and community projects. All meals and daily walks are included in the room rate.
Accommodation
Each chalet has been carefully tucked away in the tree line so that the original lakeshore scenery is unspoiled. When you arrive by boat on the lake you would never know there is human habitation here but once you walk up the sandy paths you will discover your 'temporary home' made of local stone, wood and thatch.
There are 7 chalets, all designed differently with their own unique characteristics. They are all spacious, each attracting the breezes that blow from the lake under the shady thatched roofs. The central feature in your room is the enormous 4 poster bed, made of old tree trunks and covered in a beautifully designed white mosquito net. The sheets are freshly pressed; alongside a bedside table has flowers on it carefully arranged by the lodge's staff. Behind each chalet is an adjoining bathroom with a shower (and bath in some chalets) that has hot and cold running water. Out in front of your chalet you can relax or take a siesta on your verandah looking out over the lake. The hammock is the perfect place to lie after lunch, read a book and have a snooze.
Meals are an important part of daily life here. The Lakeshore Deck is a popular place to have breakfast each morning sitting under the shade of the enormous fig tree whilst gazing out across the blue water. Lunch is often served in the Dining Room. This has been raised up high to catch the lake breezes that blow in from the water during the hot midday sun. Dinner is a moveable feast that can you can either take with other guests or privately by your chalet, on one of the decks or hidden away on a secluded beach. The chefs are all from the local communities and enjoy cooking varying recipes using vegetables and produce from local community project farms.
Tailormade itineraries
We are more than happy to suggest a longer itinerary incorporating some other destinations in Malawi such as Nyika National Park for horse riding & walking, Vwaza Game Reserve for wildlife safari or even the nearby Likoma Island for more lake & beach activities. Just let us know what your interests are, how long you would like to travel for, when and with how many people, and we will get back to you with a suggested tailor-made itinerary. We can also arrange flights on request.
Swimming: there can't be a more inviting place to swim than our beach. Mchenga Nkwichi means 'the sand that squeaks' and its true. The sand is so fine underfoot and as white as you can imagine. One of the drawbacks from swimming in the seas and oceans is the bitter taste of saltwater. This isn't a problem at Nkwichi as Lake Niassa is one of the world's freshest water lakes.
Snorkeling: Guests spend hours exploring the underwater world which opens up to them as they gaze below the surface and meander through the rock pools along the lakeshore. It's an enormous natural aquarium with hundreds of beautifully colored species of fish known as cichlids. Lake Niassa has over half the world's species of cichlids.
Sailing: the lodge has its own private catamaran for guests who want to take advantage of the daytime breezes that blow onshore. Miss Nkwichi is the aptly named lodge dhow, which can be hired for overnight sailing safaris. Guests accompanied by a lake guide and staff can sail north or south from the lodge and camp on the many quiet sandy beaches that line the shore.
Canoeing: this has to be one of the most peaceful ways of exploring the local lakeshores. The lodge has its own Canadian style canoes which are sturdy and comfortable. Either you can be paddled by one of the lodges guides or take out a canoe with a friend and try to spot a pair of otters playing around on the rocks or diving underwater.
Walking: the lodge is located at the foot of the escarpment in the Rift Valley. This means it only takes a few minutes to walk up behind, gain some height and look out over the lake towards Malawi. There are a number of walks with varying lengths according to your needs. A guide who is able to identify the vast range of bird species can either accompany guests or you can explore the local area on your own.
Island Tours: 3 days sailing; visiting Cobue, the islands of Likoma and Chisumulu. Trip ranges from historical sites, including a tour around St. Peter's Cathedral built over 100 years ago, to visiting local villages and markets, snorkeling, diving and exploring numerous beaches
Community Projects:We pride ourselves on taking a conscientious role in developing 'responsible tourism' with local communities and the environment. Our guides are always available to take guests to visit these exciting projects (see below for further details).
Wilderness Reserve: A 600square km game reserve has been created in alliance with the local communities to protect the wildlife in this wilderness area. The scenery varies enormously as you move inland from the lakeshore through acacia woodland, grassy plains bordered by streams and rivers and past deep rocky gorges. Species include sable, elephant, reedbuck, leopard and over 300 species of birds. Camping trips into this wilderness area can be arranged from the lodge in advance.
Finally Relaxing: There's so much to do that you would have to stay a long time to fit all the activities in. However the atmosphere created at the lodge allows guests to slow down, take a 'rain check' relax. After all it is a holiday and it's the perfect place to chill out and recharge your batteries. This is one of those unique places where you can take your watch off, hide it and let natures clock take over. The lodge staff are there to meet your everyday needs and ensure you leave feeling refreshed and uplifted.
This lodge is one of Mozambique's new stunning lodges found on the shores of Lake Niassa. The location was chosen for it's beauty, tranquility, crystal clear fresh water, white beaches and feeling of remoteness – there are no cars and the only access is by boat. The lodge is very private with only 7 chalets all uniquely designed to blend in with the local environment.
The chalets are spacious, the beds large and comfortable with their own veranda and bathroom with private views onto the lake. The intent has always been to preserve the rugged beauty of this untouched and isolated paradise and great efforts have been made to keep the lodge environmentally sound. At the lodge, relax on the beach or the many areas around the lodge, fish, snorkel in it's natural aquarium, sunbathe, stargaze, sail or try your luck in a traditional dugout canoe. Guided walks are tailor made to incorporate waterfalls, viewpoints, local villages and community projects. All meals and daily walks are included in the room rate.
Accommodation
Each chalet has been carefully tucked away in the tree line so that the original lakeshore scenery is unspoiled. When you arrive by boat on the lake you would never know there is human habitation here but once you walk up the sandy paths you will discover your 'temporary home' made of local stone, wood and thatch.
There are 7 chalets, all designed differently with their own unique characteristics. They are all spacious, each attracting the breezes that blow from the lake under the shady thatched roofs. The central feature in your room is the enormous 4 poster bed, made of old tree trunks and covered in a beautifully designed white mosquito net. The sheets are freshly pressed; alongside a bedside table has flowers on it carefully arranged by the lodge's staff. Behind each chalet is an adjoining bathroom with a shower (and bath in some chalets) that has hot and cold running water. Out in front of your chalet you can relax or take a siesta on your verandah looking out over the lake. The hammock is the perfect place to lie after lunch, read a book and have a snooze.
Meals are an important part of daily life here. The Lakeshore Deck is a popular place to have breakfast each morning sitting under the shade of the enormous fig tree whilst gazing out across the blue water. Lunch is often served in the Dining Room. This has been raised up high to catch the lake breezes that blow in from the water during the hot midday sun. Dinner is a moveable feast that can you can either take with other guests or privately by your chalet, on one of the decks or hidden away on a secluded beach. The chefs are all from the local communities and enjoy cooking varying recipes using vegetables and produce from local community project farms.
Tailormade itineraries
We are more than happy to suggest a longer itinerary incorporating some other destinations in Malawi such as Nyika National Park for horse riding & walking, Vwaza Game Reserve for wildlife safari or even the nearby Likoma Island for more lake & beach activities. Just let us know what your interests are, how long you would like to travel for, when and with how many people, and we will get back to you with a suggested tailor-made itinerary. We can also arrange flights on request.
special things to do and see here
Swimming: there can't be a more inviting place to swim than our beach. Mchenga Nkwichi means 'the sand that squeaks' and its true. The sand is so fine underfoot and as white as you can imagine. One of the drawbacks from swimming in the seas and oceans is the bitter taste of saltwater. This isn't a problem at Nkwichi as Lake Niassa is one of the world's freshest water lakes.Snorkeling: Guests spend hours exploring the underwater world which opens up to them as they gaze below the surface and meander through the rock pools along the lakeshore. It's an enormous natural aquarium with hundreds of beautifully colored species of fish known as cichlids. Lake Niassa has over half the world's species of cichlids.
Sailing: the lodge has its own private catamaran for guests who want to take advantage of the daytime breezes that blow onshore. Miss Nkwichi is the aptly named lodge dhow, which can be hired for overnight sailing safaris. Guests accompanied by a lake guide and staff can sail north or south from the lodge and camp on the many quiet sandy beaches that line the shore.
Canoeing: this has to be one of the most peaceful ways of exploring the local lakeshores. The lodge has its own Canadian style canoes which are sturdy and comfortable. Either you can be paddled by one of the lodges guides or take out a canoe with a friend and try to spot a pair of otters playing around on the rocks or diving underwater.Walking: the lodge is located at the foot of the escarpment in the Rift Valley. This means it only takes a few minutes to walk up behind, gain some height and look out over the lake towards Malawi. There are a number of walks with varying lengths according to your needs. A guide who is able to identify the vast range of bird species can either accompany guests or you can explore the local area on your own.
Island Tours: 3 days sailing; visiting Cobue, the islands of Likoma and Chisumulu. Trip ranges from historical sites, including a tour around St. Peter's Cathedral built over 100 years ago, to visiting local villages and markets, snorkeling, diving and exploring numerous beaches
Community Projects:We pride ourselves on taking a conscientious role in developing 'responsible tourism' with local communities and the environment. Our guides are always available to take guests to visit these exciting projects (see below for further details).Wilderness Reserve: A 600square km game reserve has been created in alliance with the local communities to protect the wildlife in this wilderness area. The scenery varies enormously as you move inland from the lakeshore through acacia woodland, grassy plains bordered by streams and rivers and past deep rocky gorges. Species include sable, elephant, reedbuck, leopard and over 300 species of birds. Camping trips into this wilderness area can be arranged from the lodge in advance.
Finally Relaxing: There's so much to do that you would have to stay a long time to fit all the activities in. However the atmosphere created at the lodge allows guests to slow down, take a 'rain check' relax. After all it is a holiday and it's the perfect place to chill out and recharge your batteries. This is one of those unique places where you can take your watch off, hide it and let natures clock take over. The lodge staff are there to meet your everyday needs and ensure you leave feeling refreshed and uplifted.
travellers' tales
A perfect blend of farniente (quiet, relaxing, beautiful setting, great staff) and education (fauna, flora, history of the country, local development projects). A truly wonderful experience! (more)
rooms, food and facilities
Guests can either visit the reserve on foot (1 to 12 days) by joining one of the fully supported walking safaris, or by canoe (2 to 6 days) down one of the numerous rivers (maximum 6 people).Alternatively guests can take trips along the lake shore (1 to 10 days), or just base themselves at the lodge; spending their days canoeing, mountain biking, snorkelling, walking, bird watching or just relaxing in the beautiful natural surroundings enjoying levels of seclusion and peacefulness that cannot now be found in most other areas of the world.
All daily trips are included in the rate and are accompanied by competent guides.
Walking safaris are only recommended to those who are active and willing, the wilderness has no paths or roads so it can be strenuous at times but the wild experience makes it all worthwhile. Canoe trips and other activities are more suited to those who are not so energetic, but still wanting to be adventurous. Guests not sure about long trips in the wilderness can make 24-hour treks with overnight stops at 'fly camps' in the bush.
how to find us
From MALAWI By Charter Plane Lilongwe to Likoma Island (60 minute flight). You will be met at the airstrip on Likoma Island and then taken by boat to Nkwichi Lodge (speed boat - 40 minutes / dhow - 90 minutes).
By the Illala Ferry on Lake Niassa This historic ferry leaves from Chipoka (60 minutes drive from Lilongwe) in the south on Friday evenings reaching Cobue on Saturday morning where you will be met and transferred by boat (30 minutes) to Nkwichi Lodge. The ferry leaves from Nkhata Bay in the north on Monday evening reaching Cobue on Tuesday morning. We recommend booking a cabin for U$40 which includes bed and breakfast.
From MOZAMBIQUE Access from Mozambique is by road via the Niassa regional capital of Lichinga. Drive north for 3 hours on the road to Cobue. Leave your vehicle and you will be transferred by pre-arranged boat to the lodge (30 minutes).
how this holiday makes a difference
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The project is a community conservation scheme, aimed at improving the standard of living for the local people whilst also protecting indigenous wildlife and its habitat. Villages situated beside Lake Malawi rely on fishing; those away from the lakeside exist primarily by hunting. Research has shown, however, that the numbers of animals are dropping and that they are finding it harder and harder to catch sufficient meat and fish. The project aims to address some of these issues by development through tourism. By providing the community with alternative ways in which to earn a living they should be able to stop the hunting and reverse the downward spiral of animal numbers.
The project is working with the villages to set up community committees to assist with co-operative schemes that allow produce to be sold elsewhere, in markets further a field, as well as the lodge itself. Part of the cost of a stay at the lodge is a levy to the community for the use of their land and provides a fund which can be used for their local needs; be they medical facilities, education or transport etc. The lodge itself is built out of local materials, in a sustainable way and fits in unobtrusively beside the lake. Great care is taken with the use of chemicals for washing etc. and they are using naturally decomposing "long-drop" toilets. Stays at the lodge therefore help provide local employment, funds for well-needed local priorities such as education, transport and medical care, whilst also giving the traveller a wonderful welcoming glimpse of life in rural Africa. Visitors can enjoy the fact that they have contributed in conserving the wildlife and habitat that they see, as well as assisted the local people who are so keen to interact with people from the rest of the world. The lodge is the first Community and Wildlife based Conservation Project on the shores of Lake Niassa (the Mozambican side of Lake Malawi). The Project, in association with the local Chiefs and Provincial Government, has established a community game reserve of 100,000 hectares (quarter million acres).  This holiday is part of the responsibletravel.com and Conservation International Community Based Tourism Programme to support and promote community based tourism ventures that offer significant conservation and development benefits to local communities. To see other community based tourism holidays and find out more about the programme click here. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |