Experience Africa’s very own Glastonbury

If you’ve missed out on tickets to this year’s Glastonbury then forget your wellies and head a little further afield to the Lake of Star’s Festival in Malawi this October. Join thousands of music lovers on the northern palm fringed shores of Africa’s third largest Lake; Lake Malawi and sample some of the best International and African music on offer in this exotic location.

This year’s line up of International and African artists to share the stage at Chintheche Inn include Radio one’s Annie Mac and Rob Da Bank, Wambali Mkandawire, The Wombats and Dirty Disco. Performances range from African jazz and gospel groups to circus performers, and top DJs.

To make the most of your trip to this year’s festival, bespoke tour operator and Africa expert To Escape To can tailor-make the perfect itinerary to suit your budget and time span. Choose to take a long weekend to party hard at this unique festival, or if time allows extend your trip to experience all the natural wonders and activities that Malawi has to offer.

The concept of To Escape To is to provide tailor-made holidays for people who want a ‘unique’ travel experience, away from the main tourist track. To whet your appetite To Escape To has designed a sample itinerary to Lake of Stars and the stunning setting of Kaya Mawa Lodge on Likoma Island:

To Escape To recommends: 7 nights Lake of Stars Festival and Kaya Mawa

03 October - Depart UK

04 October - Transfer to Chintheche Inn home to the Lake of Stars Festival. Situated just south of Nkhata Bay, it has a wonderful broad sandy beach, extensive grounds and ten double rooms that open out onto the beach and are all brightly furnished using local crafts. All rooms are en-suite with fans. There is a central dining area and a swimming pool for those days when the lake is rough.

04 – 06 October - 2 nights at Chintheche Inn, on a half board basis (includes all meals and some activities).

06 October - Transfer to Kawa Maya Lodge on Likoma Island. Kaya Mawa Lodge is situated on the south-western tip of the Island at the head of a crescent-shaped bay, surrounded by mango trees and ancient baobabs. Translated as "Maybe tomorrow" in the local Tonga dialect, the lodge uses the stunning natural surroundings of beach, rock, island and lake to create a lodge of unique character, imagination and very special ambience.

With no machinery available on the island, Kaya Mawa Lodge was built entirely by hand, in partnership with the local community. It consists of ten stone and teak-framed thatched cottages set into a granite headland.

There is a honeymoon house tucked away on its own private island that is reached by boat or a wooden walkway. Each cottage faces the lake and has a 7- by 6-foot mahogany four-poster bed, a shower, a sunken stone bathtub and a loo with a view. The view from the shower in the honeymoon suite defies description. All the cottages have private terraces with direct access to the water, and some can only be reached by walkways built over the lake.

The stunning setting of the lodge and the unique comfort of the rooms means that many guests choose to make relaxation their main activity, but enough activities are on offer to keep guests busy. Scuba, snorkeling, swimming, sailing and visits to the local villages are part of the experience. Day trips to Mozambique can be arranged.

06 – 11 October - 5 nights at Kaya Mawa on a full board basis (all meals and non motorised sports included, excludes drinks and motorised sports).

11 October - Depart Likoma Island for the UK

Total cost per person: GBP1980.00 per person

Cost includes all flights, transfers, accommodation and festival ticket.

To Escape To offers bespoke, tailor-made holidays and honeymoons to Africa and the Indian Ocean.

For reservations and more information visit Toescapeto.com.