Our collection of Lake Malawi Beach Retreats offers a beautifully restorative lakeside escape for honeymooners, couples, and families. Each lodge can also be combined seamlessly with a safari in Liwonde or Majete in Southern Malawi. Or even with Zambia’s iconic South Luangwa National Park. Yet they stand just as well on their own as a peaceful retreat away from a hectic world.
Lake Malawi is the stellar attraction of Malawi, enriching every aspect of its life. A vast, shimmering expanse with golden beaches, rocky coves, and a scattering of idyllic islands. Its clear waters are home to more than 500 fish species, including the vivid, endemic cichlids that make snorkelling here unlike anywhere else in Africa. Days unfold gently with kayaking, sailing, freshwater diving, or simply chilling out by the lapping waters, as the call of the fish eagle echoes across the bay.
We offer three options to experience the lake, each with its own style and setting. Speak to us about the best match for your preferred pace, season, and ambience. The right choice may also depend on anything else you want to do.
Fly from Lilongwe to Likoma Island for five nights at the deeply romantic Kaya Mawa, set on a crescent-shaped beach framed by ancient baobabs and mango trees. . It doesn't get much better than this in terms of barefoot luxury! Stay in a charming Standard Room or elevate the experience with a Premium Room (recommended!).
Beyond the beach, Likoma Island invites exploration visit the impressive, but somewhat incongruous, Likoma Cathedral, join guided walks or bike rides, or visit the lodge’s impressive community craft workshop*, kayaking, snorkelling, and diving (at extra cost.) (* I have to confess that I bought one of their amazing recycleg glass chandeliers.)
Combine two nights on the pristine, romantic, yet rustic, Mumbo Island with three nights at the superb lakeside Pumulani Lodge. This pairing blends castaway simplicity with refined comfort. Here is the digital itinerary for this trip.
If Mumbo’s rustic charm isn’t your style, we can arrange a full five-night stay at Pumulani instead. Similarly we can also arrange a seat-in charter flight back to Lilongwe if you don't want to drive in both directions. Chat to us about a quote.
For those focusing solely on Lake Malawi, Blue Zebra Island Lodge offers an accessible island retreat close to Lilongwe – only 2 hours drive plus a short boat transfer. We recommend the upgrade option of a Luxury Executive Chalet during the warmer months (September onwards) for extra comfort and space.
Personalise your Lake Malawi holiday by choosing your ideal lodge combination, adding a safari extension, upgrading to premium rooms, or adjusting flights and transfers for maximum comfort. (There are also other options such as The Makokola Retreat or staying ONLY at Pumulani Lodge. So chat to us about the options.)
Use the scroll button to see the full itinerary.
On arrival in Lilongwe, you are transferred to your lodge of choice – see three different price points
Lake Malawi is the stellar attraction of Malawi, enriching every aspect of its life. It is a vast expanse of bright blue water, 600km long and up to 80km wide. The lakeshore comprises miles of palm-fringed sandy beaches, rounded granite boulders and romantic wooded islands, with the call of the African fish eagle ever present. Everywhere people smile and seem delighted to see you.
Over 2,000 species of fish occur in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Malawi, including the colourful endemic cichlids that are easily spotted when snorkelling.
Kaya Mawa is a secluded luxury lodge on a crescent shaped beach, surrounded by baobab trees and mangos on the tip of the remote Likoma Island in Lake Malawi.
Road and boat transfer to 2 nights on Mumbo Island Lodge off Cape Maclear, followed by 3 nights at the luxurious Pumulani Lodge nearby
Red carpet – Based on Kaya Mawa for all 5 nights (accessed by charter flight from Lilongwe)
Kaya Mawa is both full of character & architecturally innovative, as befits this unique and unspoilt location on Lake Malawi. Built entirely by hand in conjunction with the local community, who benefit from the lodge, Kaya Mawa’s accommodation consists of eleven stone, teak and thatched cottages. Each cottage has a private terrace with views over Lake Malawi with a path or steps leading down to the water, a giant four-poster bed, en suite “loo with a view”, shower and bath (some sunken in stone).
All the cottages are gorgeous but premier rooms have a slightly better location and are slightly larger. Madimba and Mainja House are two private houses each with their own private plunge pools, sitting area and mini-bar. Mainja House actually has two bedrooms, both en suite and a private sitting area, ideal for two couples travelling together or a family party. It is one of three family villas each with two bedrooms.
Just behind the private beach are the charming public areas of the beach bar, dining area and sitting area complete with sofas made from old fishing boats (more comfortable than it sounds).
Based on Blue Zebra for all 5 nights – accessed by road & boat from Lilongwe
The daily activity schedule is very flexible. You may like to keep active all day long, others want to do nothing but relax on the beach and most guests want a balance between the two.
Snorkelling around the granite boulders is extremely popular and available straight from the beach. You can also explore the lake and its shores by kayak, looking out for otters.
On the Base itinerary, we split the stay with 3 nights at nearby luxurious Pumulani Lodge (approx 45 mins drive away).
However on the Red Carpet and Pared back options, you stay at the same lodge for all 5 nights.
Note: If you wish to have all 5 nights at Pumulani, this is very possible for a supplement.
This morning you bid a sad farewell and head back to Lilongwe in time for your onward travel.
This is a set tour using specific camps. However many tours can be adapted. Chat to us about your options. It excludes international flights but includes an estimate for all domestic or regional flights within the tour.
Accommodation, light charter flights from Lilongwe, all meals, road transfers from the airstrip, non-motorised water sports, park fees
EXCLUDESInternational flights, international departure tax and domestic departure tax, visas, items of a personal nature, all drinks
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