Escape to a Pristine Paradise
Venture off the beaten track and immerse yourself in nature at her finest at Nkwichi Lodge, a pristine paradise on the Mozambican shores of the famous Lake Malawi.
The unique eco lodge offers much-needed tranquility, with eight secluded beaches set on 4 km of exquisite Rift Valley coastline within the freshwater African oasis.
Intricately embedded in the fabric of local lake life, Nkwichi offers the experience of barefoot luxury in a true African wilderness setting.
Enjoy Luxury Lakeside Living
Resting on the crystal-clear banks of Lake Malawi, Nkwichi is built to give guests the experience of an African wilderness in the utmost comfort and style.
It boasts five chalets and one private house, all designed to be low-impact on the environment, and built using as much local natural material as possible. Tucked away in the treeline that surrounds the lake, each chalet has its own distinctive style and character. Beneath grass thatched roofs, they are all furnished with hand-carved furniture and have their own private relaxation and dining areas.
Some are a great place for a family stay, while others offer romantic seclusion, perfect for that special honeymoon escape.
The size of the lodge has been kept deliberately small, both for guest exclusivity, and to reduce its effects on the environment.
Make Shared Memories
The Beach Shack at Nkwichi is the communal heart of the lodge, where drinks are served throughout the day and guests can sit back and relax in the shade, looking out across the magnificent Lake Malawi. A fire is lit in the evenings, and dinner is often served there or nearby on the beach. There is also a mini lodge located near the beach, where meals can be served during the rainy season.
It’s tradition at Nkwichi to get together and watch the sky turn purple as the sun sets behind the lake. The fireside at the beach shack is a popular spot, but the team also likes to take the bar to some of the most beautiful spots on the lakeshore so that you can sip your G & T with a different view each night, chatting with other guests and the lodge team.
If you prefer a more exclusive experience, the Nkwichi team is happy to arrange private dining at a location of your choice – or suggest one you may not have thought of!
Explore the Lake
Explore the crystal-clear freshwaters of Africa’s most biodiverse lake. Discover an underwater world of wonder, uncover secluded bays, climb on – and jump off! – the beautiful Rift Valley rock formations that edge the lake – or simply let the sand run through your fingers on the pristine, untouched beaches.
You may want to take a snorkel safari through the world of brightly-coloured tropical fish, or explore the Rift Valley shoreline on a kayak. Adventurous guests can climb around the incredible rock formations that edge the beach to find the perfect spot to jump into the waters below. Test your balance on a SUP, or ride the waves on a boogie board. At the end of the day’s adventures, embark on a sunset cruise to enjoy a sundowner and spectacular views from a traditional wooden boat.
Discover the Rift Valley Wilderness
Set at the southern tip of the Great Rift Valley, there is so much to see and explore in the wilderness landscape. The local staff will guide you around their beautiful homeland and its panoramic vistas, idyllic waterfalls, stunning rock faces and soaring Baobab trees.
Hike along the rugged coastline of one of Africa’s oldest paths, picnic under a 2000-year-old Baobab tree, trek to some of the 16 villages scattered around the Manda Wilderness Region, climb up to spectacular viewpoints to appreciate the vastness of Lake Malawi, and learn about the hundreds of birds who live around the lake and the surrounding wilderness.
Enjoy Family Fun
While mom and dad relax on sun loungers on the beach and spot the different bird species flying overhead and calling from the trees, the kids (and young at heart!) can set up a net for a game of badminton or volleyball.
The Nkwichi Pirate Treasure Hunt is a must for littles ones to explore every nook and cranny of the beach, and creatives of all ages will love the guided stone-painting experience using the Nkwichi pebbles.
Sleep Under the Stars
One of the most spectacular natural wonders of Nkwichi is the night skies.
Spend a night sleeping on the beach’s sparkling white sands under a canopy of stars in the ‘Star Bed’, a unique and unforgettable experience.
Complement this with even more romance… Watch fireflies glitter in the trees and let the fire crackle at your feet as you are served a sundowner in the first flickers of twilight. Escape to secluded beaches and rock viewpoints for a private romantic candlelit dinner beneath the stars. Or board their traditional wooden boat for a sunset cruise, looking out across the water to the distant mountains of Malawi, as the night sky transforms from a thick band of orange to deepest blue.
Meet the Locals
The friendly Nkwichi staff all come from the local Nyanja tribe, and are happy to introduce you to the customs and culture of the ‘People of the Lake’ – the real stars of Lake Malawi. They can escort you to the small, traditional villages that skirt the Niassa coastline, where you will experience the vibrancy and warm welcome of village life.
Watch traditional dances, visit local schools, pick fresh fruit from the towering mango trees, and be inspired by the stirring sounds of African choirs at sunset.