Nkwichi Lodge

Niassa Mozambique

A hidden hand-built lodge on the dazzling Mozambique shores of Lake Niassa. A rare chance to savour an unspoilt corner of real Africa. Explore on foot, by canoe, in sailing dhows. Laze in a hammock above a secluded cove. See for yourself how responsible tourism supports local people and their timeless surroundings. Sugar-white ''squeaking' sands, washed by clear fresh water teeming with tropical fish. Nkwichi. The ideal romantic interlude. The perfect match for an African safari. Sit back, relax and imagine this scene.

You are in Africa, sitting under the shade of a fig tree, looking out over one of the world's largest freshwater lakes.

To your right rock pools filled with crystal clear water, teem with fluorescent coloured fish darting amongst smooth ancient boulders.

On your left lies a white sandy beach stretching away from you, backed by pristine forest. All you can hear is the warm waters of this tropical lake lapping against the beach. Out on the lake the silhouette of a fisherman in his wooden canoe passes by as he paddles home with his day's catch.

Sounds like the perfect place to relax? At Nkwichi Lodge, on the shores of Lake Niassa in Mozambique, it's just the end of another day in this peaceful corner of Africa.

Nkwichi. The ideal romantic interlude. The perfect match for an African safari.

The Lodge
On the wild shore of Lake Niassa, the 9th largest lake in the world, is where we built Nkwichi lodge. At 560km long, 80km wide and up to 700m deep, it forms the eastern border between Malawi and Mozambique. The lake's fresh water is crystal clear and contains a greater variety of indigenous fish species of than any other lake in the world.

Nkwichi Lodge lies on the Mozambique shoreline at one of the most beautiful points on the lake. It has been carefully designed to provide comfort and privacy for guests. With a maximum of only 14 people staying at 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 at the heart of the lodge.. Nkwichi prides itself on practicing responsible tourism. By staying at the lodge guests are contributing to nature and the development of the community. The lodge provides wages for over 75 local members of staff. Their salaries support up to 15 members of their direct families. This means that by staying at the lodge you will have an impact on the lives of over a thousand people.

Food
Meals are an important part of everyday life at Nkwichi. No 2 meals are ever the same with the chef's delicious range of recipes and the numerous locations where guests can dine for different meals during the day.

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.

Lunches vary depending on what you do each day. 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 living antique.

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 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.

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 lodge chefs use their imagination and skills to provide a mixture of western recipes along with more traditional African food.

Flexibility and attention too detail is our ultimate goal in providing excellent service for your stay at Nkwichi Lodge.

Staff and service
The people that live around the shores of Lake Niassa are known throughout Africa as some of the most friendly and charming in the continent. In this corner of the Niassa region the locals are known as the Nyanja. The majority of them practice subsistent farming methods and rely on the lake for fishing as an additional income. Nkwichi is the biggest local employer, providing alternative opportunities for people to develop skills in the tourist industry.

All the staff at Nkwichi come from the local villages. Having helped build the lodge many of them stayed on and have trained to become waiters, barmen, chalet supervisors and a host of other important roles.

The Chefs take enormous pride in using vegetables, fruit and other produce that has been grown locally on the Manda Conservation Project Farm. They 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.

Guest chalets are looked after by a group of dedicated men and women who will ensure that you have everything you need to be comfortable and relaxed. They will organise the hot water in the Tanganyika boilers which supply your bathrooms and keep your room tidy and clean. In the evenings while you are dining someone will drop the mosquito net around your 4 poster bed.

The guides at Nkwichi play a central role in looking after guests during their stay. This is their 'backyard' and they know the local area and all its characteristics like the back of their hands. 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.

Everyone at Nkwichi takes enormous pride in working at the lodge and most importantly looking after guests during their visits. They will naturally go out of their way to help guests learn as much as possible about their culture and the local environment whilst allowing people to relax and have a peaceful stay.

Nkwichi Lodge Reservations : bookmozambique@madbookings.com