HOW TO GET TO LIKOMA ISLAND

Every month Ulisa Bay Lodge produces a sheet showing the current ways to reach Likoma.

BY PLANE:

Arriving by plane on Likoma is a “never to be forgotten experience” - the planes fly relatively low so there are stunning views over the countryside and the lake. If you are staying at Ulisa Bay Lodge you can ask the pilot if he would be able to fly over the lodge before landing. Likoma Airport is not yet an International Airport so passengers from Likoma leaving Malawi have to clear immigration at either Lilongwe or Blantyre airports.

For more information and bookings contact Bridget at Nyasa Express either on WhatsApp or phone. (+265) 0888 772923. We always meet our guests flying to Likoma, at the Airport and escort them to Ulisa Bay Lodge.

BY SHIP & BOAT:

There are several options to reach Likoma on ships with regular weekly timetables from Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Senga Bay, and Monkey Bay in Malawi and from Mbamba Bay in Tanzania and from Cobue and Metangula in Mozambique. Daily, except Sunday, small boats arrive mid-morning at Likoma from Cobue in Mozambique (just 4 kms away) and return before midday.

We have shown below the schedules for the ships based on our experience over several years. Ships usually leave on time at the start of each trip but the times at later ports can vary by many hours due to loading times and the weather on the lake. We are in contact with the Captains so can usually give fairly accurate estimates of times of arrival & departure on the actual day of sailing.

M.V. CHAMBO

The RECOMMENDED way to travel if the timetable fits your days. This South African designed boat was built in Malawi in 2013 for the Mozambique government. Chambo has a drop down ramp at the front so, depending on the beach, passengers can either walk off onto the sand or have a 2 meter stretch of water to cross by small boat or by being carried on strong shoulders.

Chambo has comfortable seats for 80 passengers in lounges and passengers sit on the front and rear decks. There is a bar and simple cooked meals & snacks are available. Passengers
travelling to or from Ulisa Bay Lodge should ask the Captain for permission to travel on the top deck.

Sadly, as of September 2024 M.V. Chambo is no longer visiting Likoma Island but we hope it may start again maybe in 2025. The Timetable below is the one in use when it was coming to Likoma.

Wednesday - Metangula, Mozambique (Depart 0200) Cobue, Mozambique – Likoma Island (Depart 0900) – Chizumulu
Island – Nkhata Bay (arrive 1300)

Thursday - Nkhata Bay (Depart 0600) – Chizumulu Island - Likoma Island (arrive 1000) – Cobue, Mozambique - Metangula, Mozambique (arrive 1800).

Saturday – Metangula,Mozambique (Depart 0300) -Cobue - Likoma Island (Depart 1000) – (overnight Chambo
anchors at village near Tanzanian border) - Mbamba Bay,
Tanzania (Arrive 0500).

Monday - Mbamba Bay, Tanzania (Depart 0600) - Likoma Island (arrive 1200) - Cobue, Mozambique - Metangula, Mozambique (arrive 1800).

Tickets are bought on the ship on the day in Malawi Kwacha. The approx. US$ one-way fares are:-

Likoma – Nkhata Bay US$6

Likoma - Mbamba Bay US$10

Likoma Metangula US13

M.V.Ilala & M.V.Chilembwe - TIMETABLE & FARES

M.V. ILALA - Timetable for Likoma

NORTHBOUND

Monkey Bay Depart Friday 0800 Senga Bay Arrive 1400 & depart 1630 Nkhotakota Arrive 2200 depart 0400 Sat. Likoma Island Arrive 1030 & Depart 1600 Nkhata Bay Arrive 2200

SOUTHBOUND

Nkhata Bay Depart 2300 Monday Likoma Island Arrive 0900 Tuesday & Depart 1700 Nkhotakota Arrive 2330 & Depart 0600 Wednesday Senga Bay Arrive 1300 & Depart 1430 Monkey Bay Arrive 2100

FARES in US$ -

M.V. Ilala fares below remained unchanged for 10 years so may rise any day.

One way per person in US$:- Cabin Class/ 1st Class

Likoma–Nkhata Bay$8/$4

Likoma-Nkhotakota $12/$7

Likoma-Monkey Bay $25/$15

M.V. Chilembwe Fares:

One way per person in US$:- 1st Class / 2rd Class (Almost no difference in 1st & 2nd Class Seats)

Likoma–Nkhata Bay $16/$12

Likoma-Nkhotakota $24/$18

Likoma-Monkey Bay $32/$24

M.V.Ilala has been in service since 1951. It combines the traditions of strong, safe ferries with the latest satellite navigation. Travelling 1st Class on the top deck passengers can relax in an uncrowded atmosphere and there is a restaurant & a well-stocked bar, Flush WCs and Hot Showers.

2nd & 3rd Class passengers are allowed to eat in the 1st Class restaurant. There are 6 Standard Cabins & 1 Ensuite Owners Cabin (50% extra). 1st Class passengers can sleep under the stars on the top deck - a sleeping bag & mat is advisable.

M.V. CHILEMBWE - Timetable for Likoma

N.B. Normally M.V. Ilala ferry sails, however if Ilala is under maintenance the M.V. Chilembwe sails instead.

NORTHBOUND

Monkey Bay Depart Friday 0900 Senga Bay Arrive 1300 & depart 1430 Nkhotakota Arrive 2100 & Depart 2300. Likoma Island Arrive 0500 & Depart 0700 Nkhata Bay Arrive 1100

SOUTHBOUND

Nkhata Bay Depart 0500 Tuesday Likoma Island Arrive 10.00 & Depart 1200 Nkhotakota Arrive 16.00 & Depart 1800 Senga Bay Arrive 2200 & Depart 2400 Monkey Bay Arrive Wed 0500

M.V. Chilembwe timetable is very variable. It can sail very fast, using more fuel so it depends on the instructions from the owners.

M.V.LAMANI & OTHER LOCAL BOATS

M.V. Lamani sails from Nkhata Bay to Likoma every Monday and Thursday and from Likoma to Nkhata Bay every Saturday and Wednesday.

NKHATA BAY TO LIKOMA: One way fare $4

Depart Nkhata Bay/Likoma 0800 - 1000 and arrive Likoma/Nkhata Bay 5 - 8 hours later.

M.V.Lamani is a reliable and fully certified boat, owned and run by people from Likoma who have vast experience of the lake weather. Lamani has two powerful inboard diesel engines and provides economic transport for people and supplies. Soft drinks, biscuits & crisps are sold on board. When guests for Ulisa Bay Lodge are travelling on M.V. Lamani we usually collect them from Chizumulu Island and bring them to Likoma in the lodge boat. This way guests are at the lodge within about 5 hours of leaving Nkhata Bay.

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