Mumbo Island is an exclusive camp situated on a pristine and otherwise-deserted tropical island floating on the clear waters of Lake Malawi. The camp comprises five double / twin safari tents and one four-bed family unit, each fully furnished with its own shaded view-deck and hammock, and blending seamlessly into the lush foliage. There is a dining area, bar and water sport gazebo, all of timber, thatch and canvas, and adhering to the principles of eco-architecture.

The Island lies within an exclusive concession area, in turn part of the Lake Malawi National Park, the first freshwater marine reserve in the world. With waters that are so crystal clear, the diving and snorkeling are among the best in Lake Malawi.

Guests can relax in tranquil surroundings with delicious cuisine, lying in hammocks or gently floating in the waters; but for the more energetic there is a variety of activities: excellent sea kayaking, snorkeling and scuba facilities enable the active guest to interact with an impressive piece of nature: exploring the granitic islands in a freshwater Rift Valley lake; birders will enjoy the abundant Fish Eagles; and snorkelers can view enormous numbers of the Cichlid fish species; these small, colourful fish have adapted to so many variations that they are considered of comparable importance to the Galapagos finches in the study of evolution.

Lake Malawi National Park, the first freshwater marine reserve proclaimed on Earth and declared a Natural World Heritage Site in 1984. Lake Malawi contains the largest number of fish species of any lake in the world; more than five hundred different species have been recorded, with perhaps half occurring in the National Park area. Endemism is high (thought to exceed 90%) and adaptive radiation and speciation within the lake is remarkable.

Lake Malawi is unique and forms a separate bio-geographical province. It is estimated to be between one and two million years old. The lake, ninth largest in the world, is 600km long and 80km wide, and forms the southern extremity of the African Rift Valley.

The Lake Malawi National Park is foremost a marine reserve, established for the protection of the cichlid fish and their habitat. As such the National Park presents cichlid enthusiasts with world-class observation opportunities in terms of number and diversity of species, optimum viewing conditions, and ease of access from the camps on Mumbo Island and Domwe Island.

As far as the non-aquatic wildlife is concerned, the islands lend themselves more to a focus on observing the little creatures as opposed to the Big Five.

On Mumbo Island the only mammals present are the Spotted Necked Otter and the rarer Cape Clawless Otter. The Spotted Necked variety is remarkably unafraid of humans and often approaches and joins guests for a snorkel or swim.

Domwe has an eclectic selection of mammals, including samango monkey, civet cat, bushpig, bushbaby, klipspringer and the yellow subspecies of chacma baboon.

As far as reptiles are concerned, both islands are noteworthy for the high occurrence of rainbow skinks and large water monitors in particular. Snakes identified include the variegated bush snake and African rock python (both non-venomous!).

Bird life is abundant, dominated by the ubiquitous Fish Eagles, but enthusiasts will be rewarded with sightings of the shyer and less common forest birds that inhabit the bush around the tents, such as, for example, the north-eastern race hypoxanthus variety of Sombre Bulbul. Other species seen include Gymnogene, Trumpeter Hornbill, White-breasted Cormorant, Water Thick-knee (Water Dikkop), Paradise Flycatcher and a variety of herons, weavers, doves and starlings amongst others.

SEO Tags
Mumbo Island – Likoma Island, Mumbo Island – Likoma Island in Malawi, Honeymoon Malawi, Honeymoon at Mumbo Island – Likoma Island, Holiday at Mumbo Island – Likoma Island, Vacation at Mumbo Island – Likoma Island, Malawi, Where to stay in Malawi, Malawi Resorts, Honeymoon resorts in Malawi, exotic vacations in Malawi