Nkwichi Lodge, located on the eastern shores of Lake Malawi in a beautiful biodiverse area known as the Manda Wilderness, is in need of help. Everything they have achieved in the past 20 years is now coming under threat and the team are seeking assistance to keep their social enterprise afloat.
Nkwichi have now launched a fundraising appeal with an added incentive to donors of discounts on holidays at the lodge. And, even if you aren’t able to contribute to the fundraising appeal, simply booking a stay and being a guest at Nkwichi now will also help to save it – and you have the added advantage of a few days spent in paradise!
20 years ago, following Mozambique’s civil war, a group of friends came together to build a social enterprise. Since then, Nkwichi have established an award winning eco lodge, founded a UK registered charity and supported 16 villages with schools, health facilities, agricultural training and cultural activities. Today the charity and lodge are interdependent, and if the lodge is unable to continue the conservation and development work in Manda wilderness, this pristine, indigenous forest will disappear in a short space of time.
Manda Wilderness assisted the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the government of Mozambique to develop the country’s only aquatic fresh water reserve; only one of their many achievements. Manda Wilderness is the only section of this reserve that is rigorously protected.
Its value is described by UNESCO as the following:
“Lake Malawi, globally important for biodiversity conservation due to its outstanding diversity of its fresh water fishes, is home to many hundreds of fish species, nearly all endemic……. Its importance for the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the Galapagos Islands”.
The reserve and wilderness’s protection is maintained through the partnership between the commercial enterprise, Nkwichi lodge, the charity, Manda Wilderness Community Trust and close relations with local villages. The lodge is in danger of closure and, as a result, the protected aquatic reserve, forests and wildlife are also in danger.
The global financial crisis hit Nkwichi hard, and it has failed to recover. Manda Wilderness and Nkwichi have remained open with financial support from committed individuals, who are no longer able to continue the support needed.
This can be solved. With help, Nkwichi will boost visitor numbers while maintaining facilities, staff and access.
Within 12 months the company will be able to return to 45% occupancy and to being its former vibrant centre of conservation, community development and fun.
You can join Nkwichi’s Journey
Nkwichi are now fundraising to keep their project going and are asking for help to raise £70,000. This will enable the project to make sure the lodge survives while boosting marketing, improving access and facilities, and helping the board of trustees and management turn the company around.
Here are some amazing perks offered by Nkwichi for supporting them (offers apply against 2020 standard room rates, for a booking of up to 7 nights per donation).
£ 25 – Manda Wilderness friend – We’ll proudly add your name to our web site as a thank you and keep you updated on how we progress.
£ 50 – Bright fish – We’ll proudly add your name to our web site as a thank you and you’ll receive 10% discount for two for your holiday in paradise.
£ 125 – Eco Believer – Your name on our web site, plus 15% discount for four people’s 2020 holiday at Nkwichi.
£ 300 and More – Eco Warrior – Your name on our web site, plus 20% discount for four people’s 2020 holiday at Nkwichi.
Nkwichi is described as a ‘halcyon paradise’ and a real ‘taste of Robinson Crusoe’.
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