Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship
Mayoka Village was more than what we expected. Located on an outer corner of Nhkata Bay on Malawi Lake, the premises were lovely. The resort was started by a cooperative of 21 people in 1999. Kathryn and Gary are part of the original 21 and are the owners on hand almost daily to assist guests with any questions or requests.
We were blown away by everything Mayoka Village had to offer. A full restaurant and bar with delicious meals and daily specials for all tastes, including the strictest vegetarians. They grow most of their vegetables and fruits and craft their bread, chutney, butter, yogurt, salad dressing, and desserts. They even have a brick oven, which they fire up on Sundays and Wednesdays for pizza nights. And on Fridays, they have an enormous BBQ buffet with eight or more food choices.
Things to Do
Once you have fueled up at the restaurant, the list of other activities seems endless. They have stand-up paddle boards, wooden dugout canoes, row canoes, snorkeling gear, DVD movies, book exchange, and 4 pm tea time daily, all for free.
On certain days, they provide a free boat or canoe trip to other beaches around the bay. A few stops along the way include viewing the local fish eagles and cliff jumping. We tagged along for a Tuesday afternoon trip and had a great time!
They provided free live music on Wednesday and Sunday while we were there.
There was plenty of hiking around the area, with trails ranging from about 1.5 km to 12 km. The tracks were relatively well marked, but we recommend double-checking with the staff to get last-minute directions or instructions before you go. Walking to town took about 10 minutes at a casual pace. In town, we found a few favorites Kaya Papaya for their smoothies and the local market for those needing to shop.
The Rooms
Mayoka Village had various lodging options, from camping to dorms, ensuites, and dreamy bamboo huts. We stayed in a hut situated over the lake edge and couldn’t have been more satisfied. The sounds and view of the lake left us in a constant state of relaxation. The room was clean, the bed and pillows comfortable, and the mosquito net lined our bed perfectly, allowing for a restful sleep. Our room was not ensuite, but the toilet and shower were just a short walk away. For those without bathrooms, there were two shared facilities (1 western toilet, one compost toilet, and two shared showers). The hot water was hot, and 1 of the showers provided a beautiful view of the bay.
At times, the area has water issues, but the outages seemed to last for a short time only, and the staff provided bucket water for use. There were a couple of flickers of power outs, but they were very brief, and the staff was on top of providing candles and solar-powered lights.
The Prices
The prices for both the rooms and the restaurant were more than reasonable. At no point did we feel any item was overpriced. We felt Mayoka Village had been our best value of all our lodging, food, and activities.
Nhkata Bay
Nhkata Bay consists of several little villages, but the main area by the ferry station holds the most buzz. We highly recommend you plan a stroll through town and some of the villages. The location was small but packed with lively activity. A few local restaurants came highly recommended: Kava Papaya (closed on Wednesday) and The Indian Stand (not sure the hours). We didn’t have the chance to try either because they were closed on our attempts.
Know Before You Go
- Mayoka Village is situated on the side of a hill. There are lots of steps, and some are steep and uneven.
- There are two banks located next door to each other in Nkhata Bay. Both machines can be temperamental. It is best to get any cash before reaching Nkhata Bay.
- Mayoka Village takes credit cards, but the electricity or the machine sometimes does not work. We arranged to pay via credit card the day before departure. Be prepared to pay cash if needed.
- If the local ATMs are not working and you desperately need cash, Kathryn or Gary may be able to provide a lift into Muzuzu to use the ATM. Just ask.
- Mayoka Village has a primary grill area on-site if you want to provide your cooking. They will even provide pots, pans, and cutlery if needed.
- Self-service (free) or send-out (small fee) laundry services are available.
Travelasics:
Visit their website here to book your stay with Mayoka Village Beach Lodge in Nkhata Bay.
How to Get There:
Bus – There are many bus services in Malawi, with AXA Coach & Bus seeming to be the best of the bunch, and that is not saying much. AXA Executive branch connects Lilongwe with Mzuzu and is the best public transport option. You can board a standard bus or mini-bus to Nkhata Bay. Information on the buses is hard to find, and you must book the AXA Executive bus the day before. Daily departures and the most accurate information will come from the office when you book your ticket.
Ferry – The Ilala ferry runs on Lake Malawi, departing from Monkey Bay and steaming for Chilumba, from where it then turns around and retraces its journey back. The ferry departs once a week from each of the two cities, and our journey from Monkey Bay to Nkhata Bay took roughly two days. If you choose this option, we highly recommend you book a cabin. Read about our journey on the ferry.
Taxi – A taxi can be arranged between almost any two cities in Malawi, but if you were attempting to connect, say Lilongwe with Nkhata Bay, expect the price to be over USD 500.
Travelationship Rating:
3.5 out of 5 Travelationship High Fives. If you like adventure, romance, relaxation, partier, or bucket lister travel, you will love Mayoka Village.
- The designated free internet times and the unreliable internet service were frustrating.
- The steep and multiple steps are not friendly to those with vertigo, walking, or climbing difficulty.
- The bar is a favorite among locals and can get chaotic and uncomfortable.
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*Thank you to Mayoka Village for providing us with a room upgrade. As always, our opinions are ours – honest, not biased and as we experienced.