Information
Eco Stars:
5 star
Stars:
unrated
Location:
Africa
Country:
Mozambique
Nkwichi Lodge
Mozambique has made a remarkable recovery over the last few years by becoming one of Africa’s up and coming tourist destinations. One of Mozambique’s highlights is Lake Niassa (Lake Malawi). Nkwichi Lodge is located on the eastern shores of this stunning lake. The lodge has played an important part in Mozambique’s renaissance, acting as a shining light for responsible tourism.
First impressions are so important. There are no roads within 10 miles of Nkwichi. You can only reach the lodge by boat. This immediately creates a feeling of remoteness and tranquillity. You hardly notice the lodge as you arrive on the sandy beach. It has been carefully built to blend in with the surrounding scenery. However you will immediately feel the warm welcome given to you by the local Nyanja people. They are there to ensure you have a memorable stay at Nkwichi.
It’s up to you how much or how little you do at Nkwichi. The lake is the perfect setting to swim, snorkel, sail or canoe whilst the surrounding Manda Game Reserve is there for you to explore, walk and visit local communities. However much exercise you take there is always the comforting knowledge that you can return to the white sandy beach, relax, sun bathe and read a good book.
Green Star Rating Results:
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Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Special Achievements:
Finalist of the World Tourism for Tomorrow Council Conservation Awards 2005.
Finalist in the Conde Naste Traveller Magazine's Eco-tourism destination awards.
Best Investor in Niassa Province, Mozambique.
Winner of Virgin Holidays Best Small Accommodation 2008
Runner-up in The Times Green Spaces awards 2008.
Energy Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - The lodge is entirely run on solar power. a generator is kept only for emergencies.
Water Rating: ★★★★ (4)
Staff Comment - Grey water is filtered through sand filters and used to irrigate the surround natural bush to encourage green vegetation during the dry season and thereby attracting a greater number of birds and wildlife. Rainwater is collected and used for irrigation, especially at the farm.
Disposal Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - We recycle as much as possible. Food waste is turned into compost and used at the farm to produce organic vegetables for the lodge and to train local farmers in sustainable farming practices. Glass bottles are cut in half and sanded down into drinking tumblers; the remainder of the glass is used as an alternative to sandpaper by the carpentry department. Tin cans are turned into graters to help women breakdown the cassava crop before laying out for drying. Paper is either recycled in to cards and sold to guests or into briquettes and used in fires instead of fire wood. Plastic bags are washed and re-used.
It should be noted that when shopping is carried out for the lodge, special attention is paid to buying items with minimal packaging
Eco-Active Rating: ★★★★ (4)
Staff Comment - We aim to provide guests with a special stay in a unique place. By introducing tourism to the area we are working towards providing many local people with an alternative income to the subsistence farming and fishing they currently rely on; whether it is through direct employment or the production of food and supplies necessary to run the lodge.
We believe that tourism is a good use of the land and natural resources as there are few other more efficient uses (such as agriculture or mining) available, and it also works to conserve the habitats and wildlife as local people begin to understand the importance of conservation and the link between it, tourism and the income it generates.
We are aware of and very careful with our local surroundings, as we know that such an unspoilt place is a precious thing these days. We make every effort to ensure that we cause as little an impact as possible to the local culture, environment and wildlife.
Protection Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Cultural, historical, social and environmental information on the area, the project, the province and the country are provided in printed folders in the chalets. Further information is provided on an information board, guest introductory talks, guided walks with local guides and chats around the fire in the evenings.. Guests are asked to respect the environment in various ways, such as not littering. Trained local guides lead guests through the pristine forests, explaining the traditional uses and importance of the local flora and fauna to the surrounding communities. Furthermore guests can visit the different community projects supported by the Manda Wilderness Trust.
Contact Details
Name:
Nkwichi Lodge
Address:
CP123 Lichinga,
Niassa Province,
Mozambique.
Telephone:
none
Website:
www.mandawilderness.org
E-mail:
Click Here
