A hidden hand-built lodge on the dazzling Mozambique shores of Lake Malawi /Niassa. A rare chance to savour an unspoiled corner of real Africa. Explore on foot, by kayak, or with your snorkel. 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.
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I've dreamed of visiting the magical, beautiful and remote Nkwichi Lodge for many years having heard so much about it from intrepid and discerning friends and travellers. Nkwichi roughly means "squeaking sounds" which is the noise the white sand makes when you walk on it barefoot. Lake Malawi or Lago Niassa in the Portuguese of Mozambique is the fourth largest freshwater lake in the world and was called the Lake of Stars by David Livingstone which perfectly describes the clarity of the nightsky when star gazing. The heavens really do meet the earth at this special place. The crystal clear waters are so clean you can drink it whilst snorkelling and gazing at the (more than 700 species) of beautifully coloured cichlidae fish amoungst the underwater prehistoric rock formations. There are plenty of water and land based activities to do including trekking in the woodland whilst communing with ancient Baobab trees have lived there for thousands of years. The locally sourced food is plentiful and carefully and creatively prepared and presented, so long siestas on the beach between activities and meals are essential. I'm slightly reluctant to write this review as a large part of Nkwichi's magic and beauty is its remoteness and the peace that comes with its privacy and seclusion. If getting away from it all is your goal (including digitally) it will not disappoint. If the journey is as important as the destination to you, I can't recommend visiting here enough (though I'd selfishly like to). Thank you Wezi and all the team for the most memorable stay of a lifetime. Don't change a thing x
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â I'd give 6 Stars for all of the above if I could.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have dragged my heels to write this review for this remote, wild and wonderful paradise. Its remoteness, and the luxury of exclusivity is priceless. While I have overcome the selfish temptation to keep it a secret in truth, I am not sure I have all the right words to describe its wonders. You need to be a bit of an intrepid traveler to appreciate the beauty of the place and to revel it is relative inaccessibility. But the latter is part of its abundant charm. From the clear, clean waters of that remarkable lake, her exquisite temperature and consistent calm, to the unique positioning of the environmentally sensitive and beautifully crafted dwellings, from the outstanding staff with their decades of experience and refined skills, to the nesting pair of resident Fish Eagles. Their vocalising is an integral part of the lodge’s soundtrack along with all manner of tropical bird, jungle insect, dramatic thunderstorm and howling hyrax. You could not ask for a more peaceful, more relaxing holiday destination. You might even be lucky enough to fall asleep to the twinkle of fireflies above your mosquito net or to meet a Baobab as old as the pyramids. Magical…truly. I cannot recommend Nkwichi Lodge highly enough.
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Â Be prepared for a journey to get to this exquisite destination. It will be worth it!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have been to Nkwhici several times now and will keep going back as often as we can. We love that its so remote and quiet ... the staff are incredible, super accommodationg and friendly. The beach sand is soft on your feet, and the lake is crystal clear, perfect location for all kinds of water activities. It's our little piece of paradise, food for our soul and we will cannot wait to get back there. Accommodation is comfortable, nothing fancy, just right.. Getting there can be tricky, but it's 100% worth it...... very special place !
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Date of stay: September 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â Pack a few books ! Visit the Giant Baobab Tree for a true spiritual experience, over 3000 yrs old
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonderful comfortable and naturally integrated eco lodge on the shores of Lake Niassa, set above a gorgeous white sand beach with perfect snorkeling in really clean clear water. The cabin was vast with high ceilings and an amazing outdoor bath/shower tucked away in the forest. I loved it. All the arrangements for the bot transfer from Likoma, Malawi and the road transfer onwards to Lichinga airport were perfect and easy, and the service at the lodge is wonderful.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip:Â A separate chalet/hut with the outdoor bathroom is the best choice. Do take bug spray though.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nkwichi Lodge, General Manager at Nkwichi Lodge
Responded Jun 16, 2023
Jonathan - a belated thankyou for your review. We appreciate the feedback, and are delighted you enjoyed your trip. It would be lovely to host you again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nkwichi is, without doubt, one of my favourite places on earth. I kept calling the lake an ocean, it’s just absolutely stunning. They organised a big room for my friends and I, and it felt like we were on the most romantic trip… just without the romance. From the moment you wake up, breakfast is already set on the table. The experience was beyond relaxing, with incredible hikes up the top, breathtaking sunsets and even a spectacular lunch organised under a 200 year old gigantic baobab tree. This is the kind of place where you forget about the world, live in the moment and savor the amazing fresh food made entirely from scratch. I could write an essay about this place.
It’s a slice of heaven I’ll never forget.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip:Â Just watch out for the monkeys, they are part of the stunning experience.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife, daughter (24), son (15) and I spent four nights here during Easter week 2022. We were the only guests and it was superb. We spent our time hiking, bird watching, and hanging by the beach cabana. We used our rooms only for sleeping and bathing. The lake was in a turbulent mood and our one kayak trip had an intimidating, oceanic feel. The staff were super, all of them. Perhaps the magic of Nkwichi derives from the lack of noise, artificial light and even jet contrails. Mozambique faded away sometime during the arduous four-hour trip from Lichinga and Malawi was a thin purple line across the lake and all was good in the world.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nkwichi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Nkwichi Lodge
Responded Jun 12, 2022
We love that 'all was good in the world'! Thank you so much for your visit, we loved hosting you, and we very much hope we will get the opportunity to welcome you back again. Perhaps in a different season, to see different birds, and to to enjoy the lake when she is calm and inviting for a snorkel.....
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What an amazing place!! Thank you Wezi, Robert, Patterson and all the Nkwichi staff for making our stay so memorable. Nkwichi is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. From the gorgeous, clear waters, white sand to the tastefully decorated rooms. The bubble bath under the stars was such a treat! We will definatley be back!
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nkwichi Lodge, Agency / Consultant at Nkwichi Lodge
Responded Oct 29, 2021
Thank you for coming, and thank you for the wonderful review. Very glad to have had the chance to host you and hope you will be back. Thanks also for the photos that you shared!
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A secluded white sand beach. Turquoise blue water full of colorful fish. ( Quanities of fish rival the Maldives or Seychelles. )
Open air chalets are large and private. Fall asleep to the lapping of waves on the lake which sound like an ocean.
Food is fresh and delicious. Staff are so likeable you'll be sad when you leave them.
This lodge is more than a lodge. It is a project. The income earned from your stay, will go to further the conservation of the area and community education.
Look on their website to see what you can bring in your suitcase to further the project needs. Visiting the community school was fun and memorable. As was the star bed experience and the dhow sailing.
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Date of stay: May 2014
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Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When visiting Nkwichi Lodge, I was initially taken aback by the breathtaking view of Lake Malawi, and the friendly staff. I was so pleasantly surprised that we were individually catered for and that we were completely spoiled! The staff were so chatty and took a personal interest in our satisfaction and comfort. The beach was spotless and showcased a variety of special indigenous wildlife. The lake water had such amazing visibility and the snorkeling was unimaginable. My parents got married on the main beach and a beautiful cake was made for us! I have included a picture of the unbelievably talented choir who made the trip from the village to sing at the ceremony.
Such a perfect trip, and I highly recommend Nkwichi Lodge to anybody looking for the best holiday of their life.
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Date of stay: January 2018Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from nkwichilodge, General Manager at Nkwichi Lodge
Responded Feb 27, 2018
It is wonderful to hear that you had a memorable stay with us and thank you for praising our service. Our team are naturals at ensuring everyone feels welcomed at Nkwichi, our paradise we wish to share with many a visitor. We are very pleased to read that you had such a good time in our ecolodge and will certainly take your comments for further encouragement to the team. However, we hope that you will visit us soon again- for a family holiday or perhaps an anniversary in the near future. Thank you again for kind note and for sharing your experience on TripAdvisor. Warm regards
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Adult children running free on moonlit beach. Happy and together like never before. Confident now in their friendship. I hope they will tell their own story in reviews for you, but whatever they say I thank you Nkwichi for bringing our families together as one. (And I love Tania TN35 forever, guaranteed).
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Date of stay: December 2017
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there! Currently we are operating on a self-catering basis (you bring your food and drinks - which we can assist you buy in Lichinga on the way - and we cook and serve). A chalet is $110 per night, and if you wish to do the star bed, then we add $40 to that.
Do let us know if you have any other questions.
Hi there - apologies for the very delayed answer. We were closed for operations at the time due to the Covid travel restrictions.
Currently we are operating on a self-catering basis (you bring your food and drinks - which we can assist you buy in Lichinga on the way - and we cook and serve). The price for a chalet (for up to 2 pax) is $110. We do hope you will consider Nkwichi again.
Dear Hussain,
The star bed location can be either on a rocky outcrop on the lake, atop a viewpoint overlooking the lake or on a private beach. The closest village to Nkwichi is around a 40 minute walk away, so there are not many people close to the lodge, and the star bed locations are not located near the footpaths to the village, so it is unlikely that you will encounter anyone on your experience. There are animals around, but there is no need for them to come near to you. We also do leave our guests with radios (just in case of any emergencies), and we have not had to use them yet .... I hope this answers your questions?
There are more places to choose from in the Lichinga area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
nkwichi hotel lichinga
LOCATION
MozambiqueNiassa ProvinceLichinga
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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