Mumbo Island is reachable by air, by road and by boat.


by air
BY COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS:
SAA has daily flights between Johannesburg and Malawi.
Kenya Airways has daily flights between Nairobi and Malawi.
Air Malawi has flights on most days between Johannesburg / Dar es Salaam, and Malawi.
From the international airports at Lilongwe and Blantyre there are charter flights and Air Malawi domestic flights to Club Makokola (nearest airfield to reception). Flying time from Lilongwe and Blantyre to Club Makokola is approximately 40 minutes. See more info on road transfers from Club Makokola to our reception at Cape Maclear.

BY PRIVATE FLIGHT:
The closest airfield is Club Makokola airstrip.

The airstrip details are: Airport code: CMK
GPS Co-ordinates: 14 18.24 S, 35 07.56 E
Height above sea level: 486m
Runway length: 1000m
Surface: unpaved
Day use only
Aircraft type: turbo prop (e.g. ATR 42) or smaller

Nearest international airport: Lilongwe International (LLW) or Chileka Airport, Blantyre (BLZ)


by road
ROAD TRANSFERS:
Road transfers are available from the main centres in Malawi (Lilongwe and Blantyre), from nearby lodges such as Mvuu Lodge, and from the nearest airfield at Club Makokola. Driving time from Club Makokola to reception on the beach at Cape Maclear is one hour.

SELF DRIVE:
Mumbo Island reception is on the beach at Cape Maclear. 4x4 vehicles are not required to reach our reception on the main land. Secure parking is available at reception for the duration of your stay with us.

ROAD DIRECTIONS TO OUR RECEPTION:
FROM BLANTYRE TO CAPE MACLEAR:
From Blantyre take the M3 towards Monkey Bay. Approximately 5km before you reach Monkey Bay, turn left at the One Stop shop onto the gravel road (4x4 vehicles are not a requirement) to Cape Maclear and the Lake Malawi National Park (a well sign-posted turn-off). Follow this road for approximately 20km to the gate to the National Park. Do not go through the gate, but turn right at the gate towards the lake. Follow the road as it doubles back past the cottages and into the village. Mumbo Island's reception is on your left, opposite the big baobab tree. It is well sign-posted and easy to find. We offer secure parking for your vehicle for the duration of your stay with us.

FROM LILONGWE TO CAPE MACLEAR:
From Lilongwe take the M1 towards Dedza. Travel to the M10 and follow the road all the way to the One Stop shop where you will turn left onto the gravel road. From here, follow the directions as above.

DRIVING TIMES:
From Blantyre: +- 4 hours
From Lilongwe: +- 4 hours
From Club Makokola: +- 1 hour
From Chintheche Inn: +- 7 hours
From Mvuu Wilderness Lodge: +- 2 hours
From Zomba: +- 3 hours


boat transfers from reception to mumbo island
All on-schedule boat transfers are included in the nightly tariff. Any off-schedule boat transfers are subject to availability and will attract a surcharge.

BOAT DEPARTURE TIMES:
From reception to Mumbo Island: 10h30 and 15h00
From Mumbo Island to reception: 09h30 and 14h00

Boat transfers take 45 minutes.


by boat
BY PRIVATE BOAT / YACHT:
If you have access to a boat or yacht on Lake Malawi it is possible to travel to Mumbo Island from your previous destination (i.e. Senga Bay or Likoma Island) without first stopping at our reception at Cape Maclear. Please note that this can only be done by prior arrangement.