Ferry
MV Ilala
Likoma is a little off the beaten track, which suits most people. The MV Ilala, an old steamer, carries people and goods up and down the lake and calls at Likoma on a weekly schedule.
Tickets are bought on board. Keep your ticket with you. It is checked when you leave the ferry.
| Route | Days | Times | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nkhata Bay to Likoma Island | Every Monday | Departs 11pm, arrives 7am Tuesday | Cabin $27 Upper deck $19 Lower deck $9 |
| Senga Bay to Likoma Island | Every Friday afternoon | Departs 4:30pm, arrives midday Saturday | Cabin $27 1st class $19 3rd class $9 |
Last confirmed: May 2022. Please check with the operator before you travel.
Ferry
MV Lemani
The Lemani was a smaller ferry from Nkhata Bay via Chizumulu. It may no longer run. Check before you rely on it.
| Route | Days | Times | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nkhata Bay to Chizumulu to Likoma Island | Every Monday and Thursday | Departs 8:30am, arrives in the evening | One class $10 | Tickets on board |
Last confirmed: May 2022. Please check with the operator before you travel.
Flights
Fly Nyasa Airlink
Arriving on Likoma by air is hard to forget. Ulendo Airlink flies to Likoma on charter and from time to time releases seats on a schedule. About one hour from Lilongwe and 30 minutes from Mzuzu.
| Route | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| Lilongwe to Likoma | Charter, occasional schedule | About 1 hour |
| Mzuzu to Likoma | Charter, occasional schedule | About 30 minutes |
Last confirmed: May 2022. Please check with the operator before you travel.
Ulendo’s own contacts, as published in 2022: flyulendo.com, reservation@flyulendo.com, +265 (0) 999 970 700. These belong to Ulendo, not to Mango Drift. Please confirm they are still current.
Ferry
MV Chambo
The Chambo is a more modern, faster boat. Snacks and drinks are sold on board, and it is the boat with a scheduled crossing to Mozambique. Tickets are bought on the ship on the day, in Malawi kwacha. The dollar figures below are approximate one-way fares from 2022.
| Route | Days | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Likoma to Nkhata Bay | See weekly pattern | About $6 |
| Likoma to Mbamba Bay | See weekly pattern | About $10 |
| Likoma to Metangula | See weekly pattern | About $13 |
| Monday | Mbamba Bay (Tanzania) → Likoma → Cobue → Metangula | |
| Wednesday | Metangula → Cobue → Likoma → Chizumulu | |
| Thursday | Nkhata Bay → Chizumulu → Likoma → Cobue → Metangula | |
| Saturday | Metangula → Cobue → Likoma → Mbamba Bay |
Last confirmed: May 2022. Please check with the operator before you travel.
Good to know
Before you travel
Which boat should I take?
Likoma Express is the fast ferry from the mainland and can be booked online. The Ilala is the weekly steamer. The Chambo continues to Mozambique. Ask us if you are unsure. The timetables above were last confirmed in May 2022.
Can you collect us?
Tell us which boat or flight you are on and we will explain the walk or a transfer. The Ilala jetty is about 45 minutes on foot from Mango, in Mbamba.
Not sure which way to come?
Tell us your dates and we will confirm what is free. You can also message us on WhatsApp.