Read our judge's green questionnaire on Mumbo Island

Lake Malawi is a vast freshwater streak up through the southeastern half of Africa. It captured the heart of David Livingstone, who stumbled upon it in 1866 and named its "delicious waters" Nyasa, meaning 'iridescent'.

The Lake of Stars' calm, clear depths - famous for their colourful endemic cichlid fish - still draw travellers of every sort.

Among these were the founders of Kayak Africa. Seeking a new canoeing adventure, they paddled 10km from the mainland out to the uninhabited Mumbo Island.

Multimedia

• Gallery: Mumbo Island, Malawi

They instantly fell in love with the hidden beach, agreed a short concession for the island with the government and set up a makeshift temporary camp to which similarly intrepid kayakers were invited to paddle.

The hardier breed of traveller wasn't numerous enough to sustain the camp and things have changed. A motor boat now takes the traveller to the island, so the journey is blister free.

The 'leave no traces' ethos - the owners' passion, not a government condition - remains intact. You sleep in large safari tents pitched on thatched wooden platforms perched on boulders above the lake on an islet connected to Mumbo by a boardwalk.

The bathrooms are built of local reeds and thatch, and - like half of Malawi, so the rumour goes – are held together with threads pulled from old car tyres. There are smart composting loos, into which you sprinkle wood shavings collected from village builders.

The biodegradable bathroom treats are in refillable glass bottles.The shower is a bucket suspended from the rafters and filled with solar- heated water (of course). Drinking glasses are fashioned from old wine bottles. There are some lovely touches such as the Rocket Stove, a highly efficient Malawi-built cooking stove that's so quick that the local employees are asking for some.

Given the massive deforestation problems on the mainland the Lodge owners are exploring development of the stove.

At night the island is a hideaway under the stars. There are no bright lights; solar lanterns mark the walkways and the gentle yellow flicker of hurricane lamps light the bathrooms. Almost all the food comes from nearby. All but 4 of the 54 full time staff are local.

The plan is to train locals to the point where they are running the entire place and, in time, to generate enough money to plough back into planned community initiatives.

Need to know: Seven nights at Kayak Africa's Mumbo Island, full board, plus internal transfers and international flights with Kenya Airways. From £2,450 per person. Contact Audley Travel on 01993 838 500 - www.audleytravel.com

NOMINATED BY: I would like to nominate Mumbo Island run by Kayak Africa for the Green Space place to stay! Kayak Africa lease the islands of Mumbo and Domwe form the Lake Malawi National Park. The 11km kayak over leaves you truly ready for your stay in paradise on this pristine paradise eco-run island.

Friendly staff, laid back atmosphere, fresh local food and Malawi Gin and Tonics make this the perfect place to rest and relax. To keep you occupied there is the perfect sandy beach, diving, kayaking, excellent snorkelling amongst the cichlid freshwater fish and a game of boaw taught by a local experts always around to beat you hands-down!

But what makes this place unique is its attention to details and ecological standard, luxury tents are homely yet unassuming, hot bucket showers on demand, natural citronella insect repellent and a sea of solar lighting along the low-impact decking make it dazzle in the evenings - simply beautiful, calm, peaceful and very romantic! This is quite simply, a unique place to rest your head! - Lucy Bale, Bridport, Dorset

Times recommends

• The three best routes to the Med
• How to cash in on your holiday money
• 10 tips for the perfectly packed suitcase