External Reviews
The Observer, UK: "Nkwichi Lodge was built using sustainable local materials in a faintly Flintstones-esque style, with boulders and branches protruding into rooms and four-posters fashioned from chunky logs. Which is not to say it lacks elegance or comfort: there are just seven secluded chalets, each with its own outdoor en suite, where you shower under the stars or with a view of the lake. Fourteen surrounding villages have set up the 100,000-hectare community-owned reserve, where wildlife populations decimated during the wars are now reviving."
Not only does this elegant lodge offer superb accommodation in a stunning setting, it's also a shining example of how responsible tourism is helping Mozambique's renaissance.
Features
- Safaris
- Swimming
- Canoeing
- Walking
- Sailing
- Bird watching
- Children welcome
| Nkwichi Lodge - Lake Niassa, Mozambique, Mozambique | |
Sustainability Scorecard
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From $240 USD Per Person Full Board
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Good For You
Dr. Livingstone named Lake Niassa (Lake Malawi) the 'Lake of Stars' after spending time exploring its shores and today there are few better ways of experiencing traditional African life than spending time on this magical lake.
Nkwichi Lodge sits on the western shores of Lake Niassa. You can only reach the lodge by boat, which immediately lends the resort a feeling of peace and tranquillity. The lodge has been built around the white sandy shores and the main dining room sits high on a raised platform overlooking the lake. The thatched huts, which cater to a maximum of just 14 guests at any one time, have been designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery.
However, not only does this elegant lodge offer superb accommodation in a stunning setting; it's also a shining example of how responsible tourism is helping Mozambique's renaissance. It's worth visiting for that alone.
Good For Mozambique
Nkwichi is at the forefront of responsible tourism in Mozambique. Guests at the lodge contribute to nature and community development as their money provides wages for up to 50 local members of staff. These salaries in turn support up to 15 members of their direct families. This means that by staying at the lodge guests will have a positive impact on the lives of 750 people.
The lodge and its charity, the Manda Wilderness Community Trust, actively raises funds abroad, within Mozambique and through tourism to pay for development projects, which the communities themselves select.
In addition, the lodge itself is eco-friendly and has implemented 'grey water' recycling techniques and installed 'eco-composting' toilets.
HighsThe lake: The magical Lake Niassa is the 9th largest lake in the world and contains a greater variety of indigenous fish species than any other lake in the world. The people: The local Nyanja people are extremely warm and welcoming and do everything possible to ensure that your stay is a memorable one. The 'goodness': It goes without saying that this is an incredible place to stay, but the work done by the lodge in the community is extremely inspiring. |
LowsThe access: Its remote location is also part of its charm but it does mean that travel to the lodge can take some time. The location: This is very much a destination resort as there is not much else around. |
Rooms
There are seven chalets in total, cleverly tucked into the trees along the lakeshore providing unique views across the crystal clear water. The chalets are located far enough apart to provide privacy. Each one is designed differently depending on their setting but are all made of local wood, stone and grass thatch.
The central feature in each chalet is the enormous, sturdy four-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. In the evenings there are electric lights in each room tastefully decorated with local lampshades.
Each chalet has its own en-suite bathroom which has been 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.
Out in front of the chalets is a covered veranda where guests can either sit in the comfortable arm chairs or swing gently in a hammock.
Food
Meals are an important part of everyday life at Nkwichi and no two meals are ever the same. Nkwichi has one of Africa’s most impressive ‘kitchen gardens’. The Manda Wilderness Horticultural Project on the neighbouring farm is run by the Manda Wilderness Conservation Project. Local farmers have learnt how to grow fresh fruit, vegetables and other food to supply the lodge with delicious produce each day.
The Chefs have all been trained to cook a variety of delicious western meals but often add a touch of their own local recipes to introduce guests to their own traditional meals.
Breakfast
The Lakeshore Deck is a popular place to have breakfast each morning, sitting under the shade of the enormous fig tree eating fresh mangos and homemade muesli whilst gazing out across the blue water.
Lunch
Lunches vary depending on what you do each day and guests often take part in activities which take them away from the lodge during the day. One of the highlights of people’s stay is the walk to one of the largest baobab in Africa. It is estimated to be well over 2000 years old. Lunch is served under the shade of this spectacular tree.
If you are feeling lazy and just want to relax on the beach, the main lodge dining room provides a raised view out over the lake. If you are away from the lodge walking, canoeing or visiting local community projects delicious picnics will be provided wherever your guide takes you.
Dinner
Dinner is a moveable feast. The staff will make a point of asking each guest whether they would like to eat with everyone else in the lodge or prefer to dine with a companion or as a private party. There are a number of locations for dinner. One of the guest’s favourite spots is down on the beach beside the lake under the stars. Alternatively dinner can be served at people’s chalets or on the lakeshore deck. Try a new place each evening.
Features & Facilities
- Restaurants
- Ensuite bathrooms
- Four-poster beds
Nkwichi has a great variety of exciting and interesting activities. Whether you are visiting for the first time as a couple, as a family with children or in a small group there is plenty to get involved. For those people who have been on safari and are looking to relax for a few days the beach at Nkwichi rivals any on the Indian Ocean. Guests who want to explore the surrounding areas will find a fascinating ‘trail’ of local cultural and environmental interests.
The guides at Nkwichi, who all come from the neighbouring villages, play a central role in looking after guests during their stay. They lead guests on walks up the escarpment to the stunning look out points above the lake pointing out tree species and helping guests to identify many of the bird species. They also take guests out on the lake in the lodge’s sailing dhow and in the Canadian canoes.
See Local Info & Activities for more
Local Info & Activities
Activities in the local area*
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 the lodge, gain some height and look out over the lake towards Malawi. There are a number of walks with varying lengths.
Bird watching
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. The lodge has several guides who are highly knowledgeable about finding and identifying the local bird species.
Likoma Island Tour
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.
Swimming
There are few places as inviting as Lake Niassa (as it's known in Mozambique). This lake is the 9th largest freshwater lake in the world and is a wonderful place to swim.
Snorkelling
Guests spend hours exploring the underwater world. 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
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. 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
This has to be one of the most peaceful ways of exploring the lake and 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. This is also the best way to see the lakes bird species.
Safaris Manda Wilderness Reserve is a 600sq km game reserve that 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
Camping trips into this wilderness area can be arranged from the lodge. Each morning your guide will lead you out on foot on a gentle walk pointing out the fascinating variety of flora and fauna. After a few hours you will break for a picnic lunch under an acacia tree. Continue walking in the afternoon until you reach your new campsite beside the Rio Messinge or overlooking a stunning gorge. Dine out under the stars before retiring to your two man spacious ‘A’ frame tent equipped with a comfortable mattress and sleeping bag.
INSIDER TIP/S
Visas
If Nkwichi Lodge is the only destination in Mozambique that you are staying at you do not need to get a visa before you arrive. A member of the Lodge staff will take your passport to Cobue Customs Post where you will be issued with a Lake Pass. If you are travelling in Mozambique before or after your stay at Nkwichi Lodge you will need to get a visa before you travel.
Medication
Malaria is prevalent in Mozambique and guests are advised to consult their doctor prior to travel. Guests should also bring all necessary medication with them to Nkwichi.
What to bring
If you are using a small plane at any point getting to or from Nkwichi Lodge then your bags should not exceed 12kg per person. These should be soft bags rather than hard suitcases.
Guests should pack a high factor sunscreen.
Guests are advised to dress appropriately when visiting villages.
The Weather
Jan - April: This is the 'Green Season' and it usually rains in the afternoon. Temperatures vary depending on the level of the rains but it can be humid.
April - May: There are potential rain storms and the days can be hot. It's an excellent time of year for bird watching.
June - July: Mid-winter. The days are warm and the evenings can be cool. The days are bright and clear.
August: The temperature fluctuates and can be either cool or hot - cold spells do occur.
September: The days are hot, dry and hazy.
October: Very dry with the occasional rain when it can cool down and clear the air. It can be very hot with temperatures reaching up to 40°C in the shade.
November - December: The days are hot and slightly humid. Early rains can carry from the odd shower to afternoon storms. The bush is green and fresh and the migrant birds arrive making it an excellent time for bird watching.
Sustainability
Nkwichi prides itself on practising responsible methods of tourism development. By coming to stay at the lodge 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 the lodge guests will have a positive impact on the lives of 750 people.
The Manda Wilderness Community Trust
Nkwichi Lodge and its charity the Manda Wilderness Community Trust actively raises funds abroad, within Mozambique and through tourism to pay for development projects, which the communities themselves select.
The Manda Wilderness Conservation project has three aims:
• Tourism investment to build and run an eco-friendly lodge with minimal impact to the environment and built in such a way that if the lodge were to be removed the area would return to its natural condition within two years.
• Conservation in partnership with local communities to set up a conservation area of 250,000 hectares and a lake reserve of 4 hectares.
• Sustainable Development with communities that form this conservation partnership to help build a more secure future and better living conditions for local people.
The Manda Wilderness Project has managed to get the local communities to set aside some of their land for conservation, to make a wildlife reserve and to use their natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The Manda Wilderness Project regularly checks the reserve for snares. A local NGO calculated that the salaries from the lodge filtered through to approximately 11,000 people living in the vicinity.
The Manda Wilderness Project has set up the Manda Wilderness Community owned Conservation area. The Agriculture Project has encouraged sustainable farming practices. The project works with 58 farmers in 6 different communities to produce vegetables and other crops.
‘Grey water’ from sinks drains into a pit that filters through extra fine sand. Toilets drain into ‘eco-composting pits’. Once they are full they are closed and a tree is planted on top. Only dead wood is collected from a large area around the lodge.
All Nkwichi staff come from local communities. They are friendly, open and chat with guests on a regular basis. Guests often visit some of the 14 villages that Nkwichi is involved with. Guests are told to respect local customs, ask permission before taking photos and not give money. Nkwichi also explains to the locals the benefits of tourism. Guests can volunteer to stay and work on Manda Wilderness’s Community Conservation Projects.
AWARDS
Finalist of the World Tourism for Tomorrow Council Conservation Awards 2005.
Finalist in the Conde Naste Traveller Magazine's Eco-tourism destination awards.
Best Investor in Niassa Province, Mozambique.
Getting There
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. It is recommended that you book a cabin for U$40 which includes bed and breakfast.
By Yacht on Lake Niassa
Danforth Yachting run charter trips on Lake Niassa. Board the catamaran at Monkey Bay on the southern shores of Lake Niassa and sail for 3 days up the east coast.
FROM MOZAMBIQUE
By Plane
There are regular schedule flights from Maputo to Lichinga. From Lichinga access is by road.
BY ROAD From Lichinga, take the road that leaves town past the airport, towards Metangula. The first 75kms are on excellent tarmac travelling across the Lichinga plateau, the remaining 45kms are on good murram roads. The total time from Lichinga to Metangula is approx two hours. On arrival in Metangula, continue through town until you come to a T-junction with a green painted bar called 'Bar Triangulo' on the left hand side.
At the T-junction turn right and head north along the lakeshore. Continue on this road, heading towards the town of Cobue driving through pristine forest. After 75 kms (1 hr 45 mins) there is a green and yellow sign pointing left down a bush track to Mbueca village and Nkwichi Lodge. Follow this bush track for 8kms, turning right when you reach the lakeshore.
You will see other vehicles parked, where it is safe to leave you vehicle and where the boat and the staff for Nkwichi will be waiting for you. From here it is a 15-minute boat transfer to the Lodge. (Bookings for the boat transfer MUST be made in advance).
Boat Transfer Costs
Likoma Island – Nkwichi $35 per person (one way)
Cobue – Nkwichi $25 per person (one way)
Mbueca - Nkwichi $15 per person (one way)
Minimum two people.
Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.
Rates & Bookings
All rates are in US Dollars ($) and are per person per night.
- Adult (two adults sharing) $240.00
- Single $320.00
- Extra person $120.00
- Children under 12 $120.00
Terms and Conditions
* Rates are valid from 1st Jan 2008 – 31st Dec 2008 inclusive
* Rates are quoted per person per night in US Dollars ($).
* Rates include accommodation, all meals (inc tea and coffee), laundry, non-motorised activities, US$5 community bed-night levy, and government taxes.
* Rates excludes drinks, motorised boat activities, items of a personal nature, gratuities, insurance, flying doctor service, medical evacuation.
* Child Policy: Children off all ages are welcome. Reduced child rates apply for children under 12 when sharing with 2 adults.
* All children stay at parents own risk.
* Children under 3 are free.
booking & cancellation policy
- A 20% is required to secure the reservation. Deposits are non-refundable
- Balance of payment is required 35 days prior to date of arrival.
- Cancellations within 14 days of arrival incur full charges.
Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.