Kaya Mawa: Our full report

Khuyu Room

The closest of these standard rooms to the beach, Khuyu has twin beds on one side of a gently sloping rocky wall, with a light beige floor and neat white moulded wardrobe area – under a high thatched roof.

On the other side of the rocky wall, up a few steps, is a very light, open bathroom area with a wash basin and a bath with a view, beneath a rain-drop shower. There's a separate door where, up a few steps, is the toilet.

Khuyu room has its own private deck area, with sun-loungers – which is immediately next to the beach. This is great news for less mobile guests, as it's very close indeed to the main lounge-dining area & bar, although it's not as secluded and private as the other rooms' decks. As usual, there's a ladder down from the deck into the lake for swimming.

General room comments

The rooms at Kaya Mawa are all different – and most incorporate some of the surrounding granite boulders into the design of the rooms. Central to each room is usually an enormous double bed, swathed in mosquito netting and clad with soft, high-quality cotton bedding. Most of the floors are a light colour and polished smooth, so very cool in the heat. Whilst these 'standard' rooms don't have a massive amount of inside space, all of them have significant outside spaces.

All Kaya Mawa's rooms have electric power points, bed-side lamps and showers and baths with hot water. One or two bathrooms are partly open-air – although all are private and not overlooked. Do let us know if you have any preferences about your bathroom!

Each room has plenty of windows, and we don't think there's a significant security risk in leaving these open at night for the breeze – which is lovely off the lake. Each room also has a wall-mounted fan – although these are often of the table-top variety.

Madimba House

Unlike Kaya Mawa's other houses, Madimba House – the 'Honeymoon House' – only has one bedroom. Reached by steps to the back and front, Madimba has a very large, split-level bedroom where a king-size bed is clad in high-quality linen and surrounded by a walk-in mosquito net.

Unusually for Kaya Mawa' there's the addition of a bar-fridge in this room – which is particularly welcome as Madimba is at the north end of the beach, and so a reasonable walk from lodge's central bar and lounge areas.

Beside the bedroom is a large, en suite bathroom with his & hers sinks, a shower and a bath.

Outside is a decking area with relaxed seating and a kidney-shaped infinity plunge-pool in the deck, and relatively close access, down steps between boulders, to the sea and beach. Up steps is an open upper-level viewpoint platform and chairs for admiring the view.

Mainja House

In a granite outcrop on the northern side Kaya Mawa's beach, Mainja House is Kaya Mawa at its most original and inspired. Unlike the other houses, this one has two bathrooms, as well as two large, double bedrooms, and so would work very well for two couples travelling together.

With rocks and vegetation to your right, and sand and sea to your left, it's quite a long wander along a board-walk and concrete causeway– to get from the north end of Kaya Mawa's beach to Mainja House.

But once at the house, you'll find several different outside levels, dotted between massive rounded boulders: one a deck with loungers, another a circular cushioned sitting area, and a third dominated by a large, kidney-shaped plunge pool. All within view of the lake, which is easy to reach for a swim via the boulders at the bottom.

Stepping up into the first bedroom is quite a revelation; it's a large and very spectacular room with a high thatched ceiling and walls which incorporate massive granite boulders. Up a few steps is the king-size bed – complete with the high-quality fabrics which are the norm at Kaya Mawa – surrounded by a walk-in mosquito net.

To one side of the room, a gap between two large boulders opens out into a partially-open, split-level bathroom – containing a built-in bath, and steps up to a very open shower and a covered toilet. It all feel very like an 'Indiana Jones' film set and is terrific fun!

In the centre of this spread-out 'house' is a large, open-sided lounge – with a few shelves and built-in fridge. Head outside and there's (another) decking area with a large table for private dinners.

The second bedroom is also very large and impressive, with a sloping bounder on one side of it – and a rectangular moulded bath and wash basin on the other. Step outside on the veranda and you find a toilet, in its own slight-separate room, and … a little further around … a shower made out of an old boat which is very open to the lake and sky.

Makengulu

On a small island reached via a wooden walkway, this 'honeymoon island' may not have the sheer space of Nkwhazi or Mbamba – but it does have great character and we think that it's terrific fun!

Getting to Makengulu is part solid causeway, and part a fairly substantial walkway – all of which is raised a few metres above a shallow neck of the lake, with fish particularly close and visible as we walked over. The island it's on is tiny, and partly covered with bright vermillion bougainvillea.

Inside is a king-size bed (with a welcome fan inside its mosquito net) on a low, solid base – and around the walls are built-in granite boulders, with a cushioned seat built into one of the windowsills. Makengulu's en suite bathroom is small but perfectly formed, and the bath has windows on two sides looking out over the lake. Note that this room doesn't have a shower.

On a stone, shaded veranda outside is a table for two and a curved, cushioned corner-seat – and a few metres away two loungers stand on an additional level of wooden decking, over the water. From the deck a short jetty leads a few steps across the lake, and down into it via some stone steps. There's an even smaller island a very short swim away.

This is a magical, very private, funky little room with a great feel and aspect. It's probably more susceptible to wind than most of the lodge's rooms – and would probably feel a little exposed during bad weather – but this wouldn't stop us staying here!

The 'premium rooms at Kaya Mawa: general comments

Like the 'standard' chalets at Kaya Mawa, the suites are all different – and most also make a feature of the area's natural granite boulders. All have an enormous double bed, wrapped in mosquito netting, and furnished with soft, high-quality cotton bedding.

The big difference with this room is really its location and its character: Makungulu is one of the most original and magical rooms that we know of anywhere on the continent. It's also got some highly useable outdoor space, and so may be called 'premium' by the lodge, but we think of it very much as a 'suite'.

Like the other rooms, Makengulu has electric power points, a fan, bed-side lamps and showers and baths with hot water. Its bathroom is partly open-air – although all are private and not overlooked.

It has several windows, and we don't feel there's a significant security risk in leaving these open at night for the breeze – which is usually lovely off the lake.

Mbamba

Above Nkwhazi, on the crest of the rocky kopjie, Mbamba is another massive room; it used to be lodge's bar-with-a-view. Here the king-size bed is in the centre of the room, surrounded by expanses of cream polished floor. The matching moulded wardrobe stands out against the rocks inset into the walls, and there's a small, curved couch on one side.

The bathroom is open to the bush on one side, giving bathers in the rectangular bath a vegetal view.

Although Mbamba has even more inside space than Nkwhazi, its decked area outside is less extensive – although this still manages to incorporate a couple of loungers and a deep rectangular plunge-pool.

The 'premium rooms at Kaya Mawa: general comments

Like the 'standard' chalets at Kaya Mawa, the suites are all different – and most also make a feature of the area's natural granite boulders. All have an enormous double bed, wrapped in mosquito netting, and furnished with soft, high-quality cotton bedding. The big difference with this room is really the space: Mbamba may be called 'premium' by the lodge, but it really does have a lot of space – and hence we think of it as a 'suite'!

Like the other rooms, Mbamba has electric power points, a fan, bed-side lamps and showers and baths with hot water. Its bathroom is partly open-air – although all are private and not overlooked.

It has lots of large windows, and we don't feel there's a significant security risk in leaving these open at night for the breeze – which is lovely off the lake. The room also has a fan on one wall.

Mbungu Room

Tucked into the vegetation on the south-eastern side, Mbungu sits slightly above the water and its private deck overlooks the main beach.

Facing north, Mbungu it doesn't get much early-morning sun – and so you can get a lie-in here, and it's a good place to watch the sunset! On one side of the room is the king-size bed; on the other is a large rectangular bath set into the floor, with a rain-drop shower above it. The small toilet is in a separate small room, behind a door.

Outside on the stone veranda is a curved seating area; down a few steps, is a small deck with a ladder into the lake for swimming, two loungers and a parasol. It's a very short swim to the main beach from here.

General room comments

The rooms at Kaya Mawa are all different – and most incorporate some of the surrounding granite boulders into the design of the rooms. Central to each room is usually an enormous double bed, swathed in mosquito netting and clad with soft, high-quality cotton bedding. Most of the floors are a light colour and polished smooth, so very cool in the heat. Whilst these 'standard' rooms don't have a massive amount of inside space, all of them have significant outside spaces.

All Kaya Mawa's rooms have electric power points, bed-side lamps and showers and baths with hot water. One or two bathrooms are partly open-air – although all are private and not overlooked. Do let us know if you have any preferences about your bathroom!

Each room has plenty of windows, and we don't think there's a significant security risk in leaving these open at night for the breeze – which is lovely off the lake. Each room also has a fan – although these are often of the table-top variety.

Msekwa Room

On the same side of the beach as Mbungu, but a little further away, Msekwa's entrance door leads shortly to set of steep steps down to the room, making this room immediately unsuitable for less agile travellers. At the top is a small stone room housing the toilet, and half-way down there's an open-air shower with a view, and a separate bath which is almost carved into the rock; both are open-air.

Once down in the room, it's very secluded and private. The king-size bed probably has more space around it than Ngani and Mbungu, rooms, as well as a small shaded seating area and a deck above the water for the sun-loungers, and a short jetty leading to a ladder into the lake.

General room comments

The rooms at Kaya Mawa are all different – and most incorporate some of the surrounding granite boulders into the design of the rooms. Central to each room is usually an enormous double bed, swathed in mosquito netting and clad with soft, high-quality cotton bedding. Most of the floors are a light colour and polished smooth, so very cool in the heat. Whilst these 'standard' rooms don't have a massive amount of inside space, all of them have significant outside spaces.

All Kaya Mawa's rooms have electric power points, bed-side lamps and showers and baths with hot water. One or two bathrooms are partly open-air – although all are private and not overlooked. Do let us know if you have any preferences about your bathroom!

Each room has plenty of windows, and we don't think there's a significant security risk in leaving these open at night for the breeze – which is lovely off the lake. Each room also has a fan – although these are often of the table-top variety.

Ngani Room

Set away from most of the other chalets, in rocks beside the lodge's second beach, Ngani beach, Ngani room is about 100m away from the lodge's main lounge-dining areas. Being away from the lodge, it seems even quieter than most, and has some much character that it's a real favourite.

Inside the bedroom is quite small; it's dominated by a large, king-sized bed which is raised high on a stone plinth – and accessed by a few steps. With a light beige floor, white walls and moulded wardrobe and shelves, and a thatched roof it's simple in concept and nicely done.

The long, narrow bathroom is down a step and dominated by a large granite boulder. There's a rain-drop shower; a deep, round bath; and a toilet and single wash basin.

We loved Ngani's outside space as it has a shaded seating area outside the chalet, and also a lovely wooden deck with sun-loungers – all looking out south towards Mozambique, far from the rest of the lodge. Steps lead down into the lake from the end of a small walkway over the water.

General room comments

The rooms at Kaya Mawa are all different – and most incorporate some of the surrounding granite boulders into the design of the rooms. Central to each room is usually an enormous double bed, swathed in mosquito netting and clad with soft, high-quality cotton bedding. Most of the floors are a light colour and polished smooth, so very cool in the heat. Whilst these 'standard' rooms don't have a massive amount of inside space, all of them have significant outside spaces.

All Kaya Mawa's rooms have electric power points, bed-side lamps and showers and baths with hot water. One or two bathrooms are partly open-air – although all are private and not overlooked. Do let us know if you have any preferences about your bathroom!

Each room has plenty of windows, and we don't think there's a significant security risk in leaving these open at night for the breeze – which is lovely off the lake. Each room also has a fan – although these are often of the table-top variety.

Nkwhazi

Converted from what used to be the lodge's bar, Nkwhazi is a very large, airy room set around a lovely king-size bed – with oodles of outside space.

Inside there's little furniture apart from the bed, a large, puffy white sofa and an antique-looking wardrobe. The bathroom is immediately adjacent and on the outside deck, but entirely under cover. There's a toilet, a large bath, twin basins and a rain shower – which is particularly convenient for when you hop out of the deep, cool plunge circular plunge-pool.

Also outside on the split-level deck is a table for two, and a cushioned circular sitting area under a parasol – with a great view out over the lake towards Mozambique. It's the kind of room that you feel you could entertain friends in!

The 'premium rooms at Kaya Mawa: general comments

Like the 'standard' chalets at Kaya Mawa, the 'premium rooms' are all different – and most also make a feature of the area's natural granite boulders. All have an enormous double bed, wrapped in mosquito netting, and furnished with soft, high-quality cotton bedding. The big difference with this room is really the space: Nkwhazi may be called 'premium' by the lodge, but it really does have a lot of space – and hence we'd think of it as a 'suite'!

Like the other rooms, Nkwhazi has electric power points, a fan, bed-side lamps and showers and baths with hot water. Its bathroom is partly open-air – although all are private and not overlooked.

It has lots of large windows, and we don't feel there's a significant security risk in leaving these open at night for the breeze – which is lovely off the lake. The room also has a fan on one wall.

Ullisa House

With a similar situation to Yofu House, right on the beach, Ullisa House has a more open aspect, with more sun and less shade – or so it seemed when we visited in May, and the adjacent baobab was leafless! It does, however, have a very large, covered veranda at the front, and some sun-loungers on the sand beyond that.

Inside the master bedroom is a king-sized bed with Kaya Mawa's trademark high-quality linen, swathed in mosquito netting. It's a good-sized room with plenty of space, although not vast like the suites, beige polished floor and walls of local stones painted a uniform white. A fan is attached to the wall, and wide double-doors open up onto the beach.

Adjacent to this, at the centre of the house, is an almost-conventional bathroom – with a shower, toilet and wash-basin all together, near a small section of the ceiling left open to the sky. Through a small arch, there's a slightly separate room housing a rectangular bath, with views through the windows looking out through trees over the beach,

Also next to the bathroom, on its other side, the bedroom has twin beds, plus a small 'swinging bed' – which is sized for children up to about the age of six. This floats gently in one corner, suspended from the ceiling by four stout ropes; it moves easily at the slightest touch!

This twin room also has large double-doors which lead directly onto the covered veranda and thence to the main beach.

Ullisa House shares the same style and design principles as the rest of the lodge. All have mosquito netted beds; soft, high-quality cotton bedding; electric power points and showers and baths with hot water.

Like Yofu House, Ullisa House is a great for immediate beach access. The twin room here does have direct beach access – and note that it's not quite as separate from the master bedroom as the twin room at Yofu House.

Yofu House

Yofu House is built right on Kaya Mawa's main beach, like Ullisa House, only it sits between two baobab trees and a magnificent mango tree. This evergreen provides lovely cool shade over its large front decking area, where two comfy sofas have been made out of old fishing boats.

Step through large double-doors into the main double bedroom and you'll find a king-sized bed, with high-quality bed-linen, swathed in mosquito netting – and surrounded by plenty of space. Also on the polished beige floor are some wicker chairs and a white wardrobe.

Through a door, a few steps lead up into the split-level bathroom which is central to this house. Downstairs, under-cover, are the toilet and shower, whilst upstairs, and out in the open, the stand-alone bath looks up to one of the baobabs and an open sky. It's a really lovely bathroom!

On the other side of this, across a veranda, the houses' other room has twin beds on a polished, coffee-brown floor, some simple white furniture, and its own access to the beach.

Yofu House is lovely, open house which would probably suit families with older children – who would appreciate the autonomy of their own access to Kaya Mawa's beach, and a room slightly away from their parents.

Like Kaya Mawa's other family house, Ullisa House, Yofu House shares the same style and design principles of the rooms and suites. All have mosquito netted beds; soft, high-quality cotton bedding; electric power points and showers and baths with hot water.