Manda Nkwichi Lodge

Destination

Lake Malawi

Manda Nkwichi Lodge lies on the Mozambique shoreline at one of the most beautiful points on Lake Malawi. It has been carefully designed to provide comfort and privacy for guests. With a maximum of only 14 people staying at Manda Nkwichi, the lodge can offer guests the highest levels of service in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. The beach on the shores of the lake with its fine, white sand is the central feature around which Manda Nkwichi has been built. The main lodge building has a dining room raised high on a platform providing views out over the lake. The fig tree platform built amongst the enormous granite boulders on the lakeshore provides another popular spot for guests to dine or relax. Each of the 7 chalets at Manda Nkwichi is cleverly tucked into the trees along the lakeshore providing unique views across the crystal clear water. The chalets all vary in size and design depending on their setting but are all made of local wood, stone and grass thatch. Manda Nkwichi prides itself on practising responsible methods of tourism development. By coming to stay at Manda Nkwichi guests are contributing to nature and the community development. Staying at the lodge provides wages for up to 50 local members of staff. Their salaries support up to 15 members of their direct families. This means that by staying at Manda Nkwichi you will have an impact on the lives of 750 people.

Area Attractions

Accommodation at Manda Nkwichi When you arrive at Manda Nkwichi by boat from the lake you would never know there is human habitation here. Each Chalet has been carefully tucked away in the tree line so that the original lakeshore scenery is unspoiled. Once you walk up the sandy paths you will discover your ‘temporary home’ made of local stone, wood and thatch. There are 7 chalets at Manda Nkwichi, allowing only 14 guests to sleep at the lodge at any one time. The chalets are located far enough apart to provide privacy. Each one is designed differently with their own unique characteristics. Some are built around rocks and trees surrounding the chalet. All of them are spacious attracting the breezes that blow from the lake under the shady thatched roofs. The central feature in each chalet is the enormous, sturdy 4-poster bed, made of old tree trunks and covered in a beautifully crafted white mosquito net. The sheets are freshly pressed as are your beach and bathrooms towels. Alongside bedside tables with flowers are carefully arranged by the lodge’s staff. In the evenings there are electric lights in each room tastefully decorated with local lampshades. Each chalet at Manda Nkwichi Lodge has its own en-suite bathroom which has been cleverly designed so that you can bathe outside under the tree canopy in complete privacy. All of the bathrooms have showers hung from overhanging branches with hot and cold running water. A few of them have bathtubs so that guests can lie back and relax as the sun goes down around them. Activities at Manda Nkwichi - Mozambique Land Activities at Manda Nkwichi Walking - Manda Nkwichi: Manda Nkwichi is located at the foot of the escarpment in the Rift Valley. This means it only takes a few minutes to walk up behind Manda Nkwichi, 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 take a map and explore the local area on your own. Bird watching - Manda Nkwichi: the lake attracts a vast range of bird species. Some of these are indigenous to this part of Africa whilst numerous species pass through on their migration flights north and south each year. Manda Nkwichi has several guides who are highly knowledgeable about finding and identifying the local bird species. Likoma Island Tour - Manda Nkwichi: after breakfast guests take a launch or dhow across to Likoma Island which remains part of Malawi despite being on the Mozambique side of the lake. A guide will lead you around this interesting community showing you several places of local importance. This includes the historic St Peter’s Cathedral which was built over 100 years ago and plays a central role in the people’s community life. Trips are planned as far as possible to coincide with services to allow guests the chance to enjoy the amazing atmosphere and hear the choir sing. Lake Activities at Manda Nkwichi Swimming - Manda Nkwichi: there can’t be a more inviting place to swim than the Nkwichi beach. Mchenga Nkwichi means ‘the sand that squeaks’ - 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 cleanest lakes. Snorkelling - Manda Nkwichi: 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 coloured species of fish known as cichlids. Lake Niassa has over half the world’s cichlids swimming in its clear waters. Sailing - Manda Nkwichi: Manda Nkwichi 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. This can be used for day trips up and down the lake visiting local communities along the shoreline. There are several deserted sandy beaches where you can stop off for a quiet picnic and sunbathe. Canoeing - Manda Nkwichi: this has to be one of the most peaceful ways of exploring the local lakeshores. Manda Nkwichi 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. This is also the best way to see the lakes bird species. You are able to get far closer in a canoe especially whilst drifting at dawn or dusk. Relaxing - Manda Nkwichi there’s so much to do at Manda Nkwichi 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’ and relax. After all it is your holiday. Nkwichi is the perfect place to chill out and recharge your batteries. It is one of those unique places where you feel comfortable to take your watch off, hide it and let nature’s clock take over. The only disappointment you will feel is the realisation that at some stage you will have to leave.