Mumbo Island

Kayak Africa's Mumbo Island is a beautiful and secluded camp located on a private island offshore from Cape Maclear in the protected waters of the Lake Malawi marine park. A stay here is the perfect paradise island getaway.

The camp is accessed by kayak from the Kayak Africa base at Cape Maclear and you are guided across the lake by an experienced guide with plenty of cool drinks in the kayak with you. The trip takes about two hours by kayak or alternatively you can take a boat across to the island, which takes about 45 minutes.

Pretty Mumbo Island has rocky coves and a forest interior. The camp itself is built on a little rocky outcrop adjoined to the main island by a wooden walkway. The atmosphere at the camps is low-key and very relaxed and the views from your tent are absolutely breathtaking. The camp now has six tents — one en suite family unit with four beds on the main island, and five standard tents on the tiny neighboring island just 20 yards across a wooden walkway. All of the tents vary slightly, as they are built on, around and incorporating the island's rocks and trees. Each tent is very private from the others, built up high on the rocks with raised decks looking out over the Lake. The tents have comfy twin beds and simple furnishings. On the deck are a couple of chairs and a big hammock. Each tent has a private bathroom, all slightly off to one side, and including shower, basin and dry composting loo.

The main camp area has a thatched boma with dining tables where tasty meals are served for you, and a bar where you can help yourself to tea and coffee or soft drinks and beers (which are purchased on an honesty bar system). Mumbo has two more toilets close to the main camp.

A stay here is the ultimate in relaxation and it is completely up to you how you spend your time. You can enjoy activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and diving, explore the islands on foot or relax on the beach. Or perhaps best of all, just while away the hours swinging in your hammock on your chalet deck looking out at the turquoise clear lake waters and listening to the lapping of the waves and the call of the fish eagles.

OUR RATING: Medium