you’ll want to keep a keen look out for shooting stars. I awake
in the morning to panorama of sea blue, white sand and
my own private oasis, with just a couple of curious Vervet
monkeys for company.
Snorkelling in Lake Niassa is not what you expect. The
obvious lack of sea salt is initially fazing and buoyancy is
different. The clarity of rock formations and marine life
is unrivalled as waters are literally translucent and with
hundreds of species of fish, the lake has plenty of prettiness.
I take a canoe with a guide to paddle out across virgin bays
and coves for hours, stopping at my pick of empty beaches
for a drink. Picnic breakfast awaits me under the 2,000-yearold Baobab Tree. Once-upon-a-time it was used as a local
hideout, particularly during the civil war. In the afternoon,
lunch is set up on another empty beach, with flowers, rug and
a carafe of wine. Nkwichi’s wealth lies in its overwhelming
natural surrounding. Savouring this with an eco-conscious
lead is the best of both worlds. The remoteness of this lakeside region is it’s greatest draw. With no phone signal, wifi or
Internet, except for Nkwichi’s main office, it forces a digital
detox. Admittedly, the first day is like forcing an addict to
withdraw. But then, the peace, serenity and tranquillity are
beyond words. For a workaholic, this is surely the spot to rest
and recharge the mind.
3. Malawi
Photo: Anisha Shah
Livingstone’s ‘lake of stars’
Having been propelled to fame by a certain superstar singer’s
penchant for adoption here, Malawi sprung to many people’s
attention. Poverty is widespread, that much is undeniable.
The country is also one of the safest in Africa for visitors. On
Likoma Island, along Lake Malawi, discovered by Scottish
explorer David Livingstone, much of the golden sandy shoreline is still dominated by fishing villages. A photograph from
a century ago shows one of the rural fishing beaches pretty
much the same as it is today.
Set in the heart of several local communities, Kaya Mawa is a
luxury lodge which has been awarded top honours: Top ten
'Most Romantic Places in the World' by Conde Nast, Top 101
Hotels in the World according to Tatler and most recently ‘3rd
Best Beach Property in Africa 2013’ in the Good Safari Awards.
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