Malawi Waves
WORKING TOGETHER TO PROMOTE MALAWI
Majete Wildlife Reserve • Danforth Yachting • Robin Pope Safaris • Safari & Adventure Company • Ulendo Safaris • Wilderness-Safaris • Kaya Mawa
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2012
January Mkulumadzi
We have started the year on an exciting note with introduction of two more leopards this month in Majete Wildlife Reserve. Watch this space for further updates on Majete becoming a Big 5 Reserve. Still on the game front, one of our safari guides was out with some guests and saw a caracal! Unfortunately no photographic evidence is at hand, but all the same a very special sighting indeed. Guests are certainly up for an exciting year at Mkulumadzi.
January Pumulani
The festive season has been and gone, we trust you had a fantastic one. Pumulani team is now on annual break till end of March when we look forward to hosting you. Very best wishes for the New Year from all of us!
2011
December Mkulumadzi
If rhino could read newspapers they would retreat to the most impenetrable thickets and hide their horns from humans. Luckily (or not!) our Majete rhino seem to be less cautious of our presence and are being viewed by game drives more frequently of late. Guides and guests have enjoyed some magical encounters with these shy brutes. Mostly brief encounters but occasionally when wind, terrain and luck are in your favour a rhino may give in to its natural inquisitiveness and approach the vehicle for a closer inspection. The only shooting that takes place is the cameras and rhino and guests part on happy terms.
December Pumulani
'We have had a couple of mega storms on the Lake, like I have never seen before! The whole sky lighting up like it was day light. The locals are happy as their maize is starting to shoot through. The flowers that are coming through & the tress that are blossoming are beautiful & the scents that are coming off the trees when you walk around are breath taking. Although it is still very hot 'December' is starting to be my best month so far! The bird life is stunning especially on our dam the yellow weaver birds are busy making their nests before the rains start! We have our Christmas tree up & are looking forward to a fun Christmas & New Year! And we would like to wish you all a happy one too.
November Mkulumadzi
We have just said goodbye to the Edwards family from the UK who managed to rack up an impressive tick list during their three day safari at Mkulumadzi, Majete. Apart from the usuals, special sightings included: the elusive black rhino, nocturnal suni antelope, big herds of sable, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, Nyala, porcupine, bushpig, starred robin, lilac backed sunbird and African Finfoot! Well done to Braston and Sam their guides.
November Pumulani
We are delighted to announce that at the recent World Responsible Tourism Day at WTM, Robin Pope Safaris (Zambia and Malawi) was awarded joint Overall Winner of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards plus winner in the Poverty Reduction category as well. A great achievement for us as there were over 1000 nominations!
Quoting the judges on our awards, '20 years of commitment to grass roots sustainable community development, like the successful Kawaza Village Tourism Project in Zambia, have distinguished Robin Pope Safaris as a pioneer in responsible tourism. Their contribution to local livelihoods in South Luangwa through education and business development has established an inspiring model that even now is being rolled out to Malawi, with the promise of similar laudable effect.'
October Mkulumadzi
In line with getting Majete Wildlife Reserve to be a Big 5 destination, African Parks has recently reintroduced 2 leopards into the reserve. These are the first of a total of 8, with the rest due to arrive before year end. 2012 will then see reintroduction of lions thereby making this a Big 5 Reserve. We are all quite excited about this development and looking forward to addition of the cats to our list of wildlife.
October Pumulani
Pumulani was the brightest star at World Travel Awards 2011. We are delighted to announce that Pumulani Luxury Beach Lodge has been voted as Malawi's Leading Hotel 2011 at World Travel Awards which is the most prestigious and highly covered awards programme in the global travel industry, proven to substantially heighten Robin Pope Safaris' international profile. This worldwide award was described by The Wall Street Journal describes as the 'Oscars' of travel and tourism. This year, a phenomenal 213,000 industry professionals participated in the voting process, which is scrupulously monitored and independently audited. This triumph was officially announced in red-carpet awards gala ceremony which will took place at Egypt Hall at SOHO SQUARE in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, on the 16th September.
September Mkulumadzi
It has been a rewarding month for animal sightings at Majete with lots of elephants swimming in the Shire; the first baby warthogs of the season seen suckling on their mother and flocks of bateleur bathing in the Mkulumadzi river. The most exciting sighting however was witnessed by the Mkulumadzi staff right in front of the main lodge... The usually tranquil view onto the Shire River from the lodge's main deck was shattered one afternoon as a life and death struggle unfolded between a large crocodile and a female waterbuck. The unlucky waterbuck was crossing a narrow channel from the island back to the riverbank when the croc attacked. The struggle moved downstream where it appeared that the waterbuck would get the upper hand in shallower water but the strength of the crocodile proved too much and the reptile won in the end.
September Pumulani
The lodge has been a hive of activity for the last two weeks as excitement builds towards the first wedding to be held at Pumulani. The grounds are looking beautiful and the whole crew here is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom to be and their families. This is a great time of year for a beach wedding as the weather warms up and the south eastern winds calm and subside leaving the lake looking like a sheet of glass, this combined with the breathtaking sunsets over the lake, mean Pumulani lodge really is the place to be.
August Mkulumadzi
Mkulumadzi lodge has opened after 18 months of intense planning, preparations and building and it was with much excitement that we welcomed our first guests' mid-July. Guests have been enjoying productive game-drives, boat trips on the Shire and walks along the Mkulumadzi Rivers. We have also had a number of good sightings of black rhino at the nearby waterhole. Animals have been reclaiming their patch around the lodge; 3 elephant bulls, 1 old buffalo, a hyena, a porcupine, waterbuck and the resident hippo have all been through camp this week, no doubt happy to find that a new lodge has not changed their old stomping grounds too much.
August Pumulani
It's a great time for birding at the lake right now, the weather is turning for the warmer and the leaves are falling off the trees making the prolific bird life much more visible. Out on the lake there are plenty of Yellow billed kites, often seen arguing amongst themselves wheeling and diving trying to catch fish at the surface, and competing with the Fish Eagles. The Fish Eagles prove more dominant though and make for some spectacular photographs around Thumbi Island and all along the lake shore. The lodge is also bustling with activity, Bohms bee-eaters swooping down from their perches to catch a Dragonfly or Grasshopper which is then consumed with great relish. Twinspots and Waxbills keep the ground level busy, hopping beneath the bushes and amongst the leaf litter. Then in the evenings an African Goshawk, perches around the lodge waiting hungrily for the insectivorous bats to take to the sky. From all of us here at Pumulani, we look forward to seeing you soon.
July Mkulumadzi
Robin Pope Safaris is ready for its new African adventure! On the 15th July our newest project, Mkulumadzi lodge, opened in Majete Wildlife Reserve, southern Malawi. Undiscovered by tourists, Majete is a true wilderness where every trip into the bush with our team of experienced guides will feel like an adventure. Mkulumadzi lodge has just eight exclusive luxurious chalets, with private viewing decks for dinner under the stars. The area is home to black rhinos, elephants and buffalo, so the game drives should be as memorable as the hospitality. Guests can be as active or as idle as they wish. Head into the bush to track rhino, enjoy a river cruise, hike to the peak of Majete Hill, take a cultural tour of local villages or simply lounge by the pool, or on the shaded riverbank listening to the gentle grunt of hippos.
July Pumulani
While on a dive around Thumbi Island last week we had a couple of fantastic sightings of the very illusive and strictly nocturnal 'Cornish Jack' hiding under rocks around the area known as the Aquarium. The diversity that is around at the moment is staggering, the cool weather and the southern winds are stirring up the waters and the surge of nutrients stirred up attract large numbers of chambo and chichlids and in turn predators, such as the 'Cornish Jack' and even some Ncheni which are normally open water predators. We were even lucky enough to see a small, fresh water eel which was keeping very still and hoping desperately to be overlooked as a twig or a piece of weed, drifting through the rocks. It certainly is a brilliant time to be at the lake!
June Pumulani
The season is now in full swing for us and enjoying every bit of it. Our new stargazer has also quickly become popular with most guests. The Stargazer is electrically powered and controlled by a computer system that will allow the guide to find stars, nebulas and planets at the flick of a switch. The telescope is so powerful that when viewing the night sky the telescope must electronically track celestial objects otherwise the speed of their movement across the sky would make them very difficult to view. This telescope is one of a kind in Malawi and affords our guests an opportunity to see planets, stars and nebulas in the night sky that most will never see!
May Pumulani
The rains have ended and we are now into the cool dry period of the year when the temperatures become soporific during the day and cozy at night perfect start of the season for Pumulani. The water temperature, as always, is balmy at around 22°. This allows for everybody to enjoy water skiing, swimming, kayaking, fun tubing, fishing, and try sailing with the experienced Pumulani staff. Of course one can also just chill out on the beach and enjoy a cocktail. With the rains gone the under water visibility is fantastic and the snorkeling in Lake Malawi National Park (a World Heritage Site) is a great all day affair. The new star gazer helps rap up a wonderful day with everyone contemplating the scale of the universe over a night cap.
April Pumulani
TPumulani's new Stargazer has arrived. Preparations have begun to set up the new hi tech telescope. The Stargazer is electrically powered and controlled by a computer system that will allow the guide to find stars, nebulas and planets at the flick of a switch. The telescope is so powerful that when viewing the night sky the telescope must electronically track celestial objects otherwise the speed of their movement across the sky would make them very difficult to view. This telescope is one of a kind in Malawi and will afford our guests opportunity to see planets, stars and nebulas in the night sky that most will never see!
March Majete
Dr Anthony Hall Martin, Director of Conservation and Development for the African Parks Network and respected ecologist, returns to Majete this month to assist with final preparations for the predator reintroductions. Plans are underway to source leopard from the Vumbwe area in Malawi where an African Parks team have been investigating reports of livestock being killed by leopard. Before the introduction the parks boundary fence is to be "predator proofed" to ensure the cats are contained within Majete. This is the first step in an exciting phase of predator reintroductions to Majete.
March Pumulani
Slashing, weeding, painting, cleaning, repairing, tailoring and much more... we are busy getting the lodge ready for the re-opening after the rainy season on the 1st of April. Our maintenance and garden team are making sure that our grounds and villas are looking ship-shape when we welcome our first guests. The Pumulani team is well rested after their annual leave and everyone is looking forward to a successful 2011 season. We are also happy to announce we are now offering a new exciting night time activity at Pumulani - with our brand new "star gazer", that has just arrived guests can admire the stars of the southern hemisphere from a completely different perspective. Watch this space for more news!
February Majete
African Parks Majete is expanding the parks' visitor facilities by adding an Environmental Education Centre and a Day Visitor facility to the existing Heritage Centre complex. Aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at school groups, the education centre will offer a library, natural history displays and conservation videos. The spacious thatch and Leadwood visitor centre overlooks a waterhole and is the ideal spot to arrive at after a morning drive for a tasty lunch, cold drink and some armchair wildlife viewing.
February Pumulani
February... the month of love and romance! And speaking of romance, Pumulani offers the perfect honeymoon spot. We go the extra mile to make everything extra special and in true RPS style even the shower experience at Pumulani. A "small dhow" forms the base of the unique outdoor shower in the honeymoon villa. It is located in the lush green forest with amazing views of Lake Malawi and its surroundings - loads of privacy too. Taking a shower will never be the same, as you take in the smells and sounds of the forest OR gaze at the starlit sky and bright moon at night! Please contact us for exciting honeymoon packages.
January Majete
As the count down continues to our 15 July D-Day, we are making lots of progress in construction. We have already set up some exciting packages to introduce the new member of the RPS family. Among these is our Honeymoon package, combining 4 nights Pumulani, 3 nights Mkulumadzi and 3 nights Tena Tena. A fantastic combination of bush and beach, offering such a diverse experience; the perfect honeymoon itinerary. Please contact us for more information.
January Pumulani
Compliments of the season! Pumulani is having its seasonal break and the team is having a well deserved holiday as well. We are looking forward to another exciting year ahead of us. Great experiences are expected as always, especially with the opening of our sister lodge Mkulumadzi, Majete Nature Reserve. Combinations with Mkulumadzi and/or South Luangwa properties are guaranteed to be a hit this season. The remoteness of all the properties coupled with the diverse activities plus five star service offered will have everyone hooked to Africa. Please contact us for possibilities.
2010
December Majete
Rains are now in full swing and Majete is just magical! The lodge development is right on track and the buildings and features are beginning to take shape. Five chalets have roofs and the main building thatch is complete. The highlight for November was finishing the 80 meter deck on the foot bridge which will be used to cross the Mkulumadzi River. This memorable bridge will provide access to the lodge year round. At this time of year the Mkulumadzi rages underneath, swelling from its dry season ankle deep depth to large enough to carry small trees down its length! The wildlife seems to be accepting the lodge with waterbuck regularly coming through, bushbuck are resident; eland and sable also are constant visitors. Happy holidays from the Mkulumadzi team!
December Pumulani
With the festive season starting and 2010 slowly coming to an end it is time for us to reflect on the past year and we would like to share some of the feedback of our guests who visited Pumulani this year:
"Fabulous luxury - what a way to end a safari trip" (Grant, USA)
"We have had the most fabulous week at Pumulani and must leave before we are too heavy to go on the plane home" (Falconer Family, UK)
"We came to Pumulani not knowing what to expect and experienced more than one can dream of" (Joey & Eric Haughton, South Africa).
Zikomo kwambiri to all our guests for these kind words and happy Christmas from Lake Malawi!
November Majete
Completing one of the guest chalets at Mkulumadzi (Robin Pope Safari's newest lodge in Majete Wildlife Reserve) for a Dana Allen photo shoot, provided a glimpse of things to come. With a dramatic and unimpeded view over the confluence of two major rivers, the Mkulumadzi and Shire, the setting is complemented by the elegant and uncluttered interior of the chalet. Contemporary comforts such as an environmentally friendly cooling system and luxurious bathrooms are blended with rustic Leadwood balustrades, a natural pole pergola and a front facade that opens up to reveal the breathtaking view. The building sits comfortably in its surrounds and a vegetated 'green roof' not only ensures extra camouflage but has a natural cooling effect on the building.
November Pumulani
Love is in the air... Pumulani is a truly perfect honeymoon getaway. Newlyweds can enjoy the privacy of their own spacious honeymoon villa tucked away in the lush green forests with magnificent views of Lake Malawi. To make the honeymoon even more memorable we have a number of special treats in store such as a private romantic dinner on the deck of the villa, our candlelight dinner on the rock, a sumptuous breakfast on our wooden sailing dhow or a romantic turndown service. We also offer a wedding package which is designed for couples wanting an intimate celebration in one of the most idyllic settings you could wish for. For more information please contact our reservations department.
Pumulani News
October
It is becoming hotter by the day, what a beautiful place for chilling out on the shores of Lake Malawi. There is lots to keep you entertained, apart from our numerous water activities like our popular wooden sailing dhow and snorkelling trips to some world famous spots (amongst others). Mountain biking & kayaking combos have become increasingly popular. Also high on the list are guided trips to surrounding villages and to Nankwhali Mission where guests can interact with the local community and have a look at the church, schools as well as a little hospital. On the way back they can hop into kayak and paddle back across the bay to our beach. What a great way to spend a morning!
September
Apart from relaxing at the beach or on water Pumulani also offers a great wildlife experience. Our nature and birding walks in Lake Malawi National Park are among our most popular guest activities. Walking in the hills around the lodge has been fantastic in the last few weeks with highlights such as a troop of the rare Samangos monkeys, whose tails are a third longer than their actual body. For our keen birders we can report sightings of red-necked falcons, Livingstone's flycatcher and green-backed honey bird. Not to forget the Pel's Fishing-owl that roosts regularly in the trees near our honeymoon villa. This large species of owl is a real special and feeds nocturnally on fish and frogs snatched from the surface of the green waters of lake Malawi.
August
One of our dedicated wait staff members, Loyce has recently been expanding her arts and crafts products. Starting with simple paper-making over 10 years ago, Loyce now spends the majority of her time away from Pumulani making paper crafts, woven home decor, picture frames, water bottle holders, clothing and accessories, and of course her famous and most popular banana leaf baobab replications. Loyce now often accompanies guests on trips to visit nearby Mbeya Village and tour her home workshop where she makes her elaborate paper and woven crafts. While Loyce's creations make a great addition to our guest shop, they also help to support the village orphans she has independently chosen to assist. Thank you to Loyce and the rest of our wonderful Pumulani staff!
July
Toasty, flamboyant, yet elegant with a prominent core of pear fruit aromas, tropical notes, & oak with a tight line of natural acid & a dry minerality... in vino veritas! This month it is all about wines at Pumulani. We are happy to announce that we have just received a great selection of handpicked wines from the most renowned South African wine estates. We now offer a range of premium quality reds and whites that are delight to every connoisseur - like the Bateleur Chardonnay from the De Wetshof estate, Hamilton Russels Pinot Noir or a Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmund Carbernet-Merlot or a Sauvignon Blanc Cecil John Reserve from Boschendal.. and many more. Cheers!
June
It's done! Pumulani now proudly presents big dhow versus small dhow. Besides our popular wooden sailing dhow that guests can take out for a romantic sunset cruise or for a special breakfast on the lake; we have now also found good use for our "small dhow" which forms the base of our new very special outdoor shower in our honeymoon villa. Our new dhow shower is idyllically located in the lush green forests with monkeys playing high up on the trees and amazing views of Lake Malawi and its surroundings. What a treat to take refreshing shower outdoors while taking in the smells and sounds of the forest or while gazing at the starlit sky and bright moon at night!
May
Zambia meets Malawi! For the last two weeks we have had two guides over here from Robin Pope Safaris in Zambia. Fred and Julius have just passed their guiding exams in the Luangwa valley and have come to us learn the ropes from Glyn our boat guide. The two Zambian bush boys spent most of their time in and on water - snorkelling, driving the speedboats, going on dhow trips, kayaking and sailing - and have notably enjoyed their time at the lake. Earlier this year Glynn was over in Zambia for some training and to get know the RPS camps that side. Glynn was over the moon seeing his first leopard and many other animals that he had never spotted before, the only thing he really missed was good Malawian fish.
April
Pumulani is very excited to announce the arrival of our new head chef James Hollenbach. The 30-year old American from Maryland can look back on an impressive career in some of the world's top restaurants in the United States and most recently in the Cayman Islands. He was trained at the renowned Culinary Institute of America in classic French cooking and under the celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck and Mark Miller. We can't wait to surprise our guests with his culinary delights - tricolour potato gnocchi, watermelon chicken curry or fried milk with homemade coffee bean gelato and much more. Bon Appetit!
March
Pumulani is getting ready for a new & exciting 2010 season! We re-open on the 1st of April. Our team is well rested and fully motivated for the upcoming season. Waiters, housekeepers and chefs have received extensive training during the closed period and are eager to show what they have learnt. To put the icing on the cake our tailor is busy getting their new uniforms ready. We have also done some extensive gardening on the lodge premises and our maintenance team has been giving the villas some tender loving care. Vegetable and herb planting has been going on as well, since we want to have our own fresh produce garden this season - baboons and monkeys allowing…!!
February
In line with our tradition of special interest safaris we are proud to announce 'Nyika Safari with Robin Pope' - yes the legendary safari guide. Fantastic 10 night safari combining South Luangwa Zambia, Nyika Plateau, ending at the luxuriously Pumulani! We are still running our annual Yoga Retreat at Pumulani, led by a professional yoga instructor. What a way to enjoy the perfect relaxation holiday! This safari was infact named as one of 20 breaks with a difference by Zest ('UK Women's Healthy Lifestyle Magazine') - in the world, wow!! With a little over 100 days before the FIFA World Cup, we have released some discounted safaris in line with this. For further details on all contact us on info@pumulani.com
January
The festive season is over but we will keep the some fantastic memories of joyful moments here at Pumulani. We started our celebrations with a staff Christmas party at the beach. We had invited all our employees' kids & wives. Apart from a big braai feast we had organized fun & games such as apple bobbing and sac hopping. Our new year was ushered in by DJ Douglas from Monkey Bay who had just come back from recording his first single. A tasteful mix of unplugged guitar music and African vibes made the evening for all our guests a very special one. A big thank you also to our chef Kate who kept surprising us with her delicacies! Pumulani will be reopening on 1st April!
2009
December ~ Pumulani was listed in the 2010 Tatler Travel Guide, 101 Best Hotels
"Step away from the housewives' choice for a much more insider safari. First stop, the unspoilt beauty of Zambia and then this, the perfect beach add-on ... On the entirely surprising - and delightful - blond lick of beach, eight pied kingfishers argue like children. There's waterskiing and snorkelling, but also a fat-bellied dhow for vodkas with fresh lime. At night, you can hear the villagers singing and banging their drums." - Tatler.
November ~ new faces
Luke and Bettina Evans are the new faces at Pumulani and will be replacing Mark and Jenna as the Pumulani management couple. Luke spent his early years in South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks and schooled in Ireland before moving to Austria. Bettina is Austrian and spent time with Luke in Ireland before they both ran a ski and spa lodge together in the remote Austrian Alps. Swapping snow clad peaks for the blue waters of Lake Malawi is an exciting change for this dynamic couple and a bit of a homecoming for Luke who has been itching to get back to the African bush ever since he left it. Mark and Jenna remain with Robin Pope Safaris and move on to new projects in Malawi.
October ~ guest reviews
"Stunning views, peace, tranquillity; Pumulani sooths the spirits - a truly magical place; simply stunning. England, 25/08/09"
"The most peaceful part of my trip to Malawi. The stunning sunsets & cool fresh water is hard to leave behind. Great food & friendly service were just the icing on the cake. Perfect. London, 26/09/09"
"After our exciting & hectic time at Nkwali Safari Camp, we really enjoyed this stunning location. The villas are so spacious, the food fantastic. All the staff were so friendly & helpful. We'd love to come back some day. Ireland, 15/09/09"
A big thanks to our guests for all your kind words!
September ~ Picnic on the dhow
The latest, greatest idea whilst staying at Pumulani is to take a picnic breakfast out on the dhow. And picnicking Pumulani style includes: freshly baked croissants, muffins and nutty fruit loaf, a bacon bagel that melts in your mouth, granola pots with chilled yoghurt and honey, fruit smoothies and breakfast pies! On boarding the boat a "Bloody Mary" is served and breakfast is washed down with fresh fruit juice or filter coffee. The experience is completed with a swim in the lake. This is how life should be! A gourmet picnic served up on a beautiful wooden dhow on the bluest lake in Africa.
August ~ Camp Fire
Many guests, when thinking of Africa, think of chatting around a camp fire. Even when at a lakeside lodge. So Pumulani has set up a camp fire area, up on the hillside near the swimming pool. On a dark night the lake will sparkle with the fishing lanterns, reflecting the stars and on a moonlit night the moon reflection will sparkle across miles of water.
July ~ Weddings at Pumulani
Pumulani now offer a wedding package. The package is designed for couples wanting an intimate celebration in one of the most idyllic settings you could wish for. The ceremony can be held in a variety of locations. Tie the knot in a beautiful garden setting under the big trees on the edge of the lake, have a romantic barefoot beach wedding or exchange vows on the main lodge deck with a spectacular lakeview as your backdrop. The occasion can be as simple or as detailed as the couple wish. Take the pressure off and let Pumulani organize the whole day. .
June ~ In praise of Baobabs
Trees are the oldest living things on the planet. It's rather humbling to lean against a baobab that Livingstone may have rested under in 1859, and before him a Shona trader in 1303, moving gold from Zimbabwe to sell to Persian Arabs at Kilwa in Tanzania. Around 2000 years ago a slightly built pygmy type person belonging to a people long extinct could have collected the fruits of the very same tree that we now sit under! Lake Malawi National Park may not have herds of elephants or prides of lions to photograph and admire but what it does have, and in great abundance, is spectacular trees. A variety of spectacular trees shade the villas of Pumulani. The value of these ancient assets is hard to calculate, most of the larger ones have been standing here for hundreds of years, some for thousands.
May ~ New Chef
The Pumulani team is very excited to announce the arrival of our new head chef, Kate Wright. Although Kate has only been on board for one week she is already starting to spice things up. Visitors to Pumulani can look forward to enjoying their sundowners on the dhow with chicken satay and peanut sauce or slow roasted tomato & mascarpone wrapped in cucumber slices. Her delicious Thai fish curry is also not to be missed and I won’t even begin to describe the rich chocolate brownies with homemade dark chocolate ice cream, topped with zabaglione... hmmm, time to tuck in!
April ~ Mountain Bikes
Pumulani are developing a unique mountain bike ride and kayak combination - an adventurous way to spend a morning exploring the lake as well as the surrounding woodlands and farmland. The bike trail will be designed to take in the beautiful woodlands of the lakeshore as well as giving guests an opportunity to see rural Malawi, away from the usual tourist beat. Routes can be altered to suit the fitness level of the cyclists. The ride will finish on the lakeshore, across the bay from Pumulani, where bikes are swapped for kayaks for the final leg. Team up with your partner or guide, or opt for a single kayak and paddle acro! ss the protected Kasanka Bay back to Pumulani’s beach for a refreshing swim and a cool cocktail.
March ~ Searching for otter
Two species of otter occur along Lake Malawi’s shoreline - spot-necked and African clawless. The former is regularly seen while kayaking at Pumulani, either swimming past the beach or hunting along the rocky shoreline. The most rewarding sightings are from one of the huge boulders overlooking the gin clear water. From these vantage points one can observe the underwater antics as the otters twist, roll and chase in pursuit of fish. It is not always clear if it is work or play as they make an everyday chore seem like a lot of fun. One particularly big clawless otter leaves his characteristic pug marks along the beach from time to time. It has yet to be spotted as a night time vigil on the full moon would be required to catch this secretive beachcomber at work.
February ~ Growing Veggies
Pumulani have recently joined forces with a community run a vegetable garden - firstly providing seeds and fertiliser to improve yields and then buying fresh produce for the guests. This is a double whammy - by growing veggies the community can provide people with HIV/AIDS with good nutrition and by selling the veggies they can earn money for additional support. As well as all that Pumulani benefits from having a fresh produce source almost on their door step so the food is even more scrumptious.
2008
December ~ Bring your binoculars
The birding at Pumulani has gone from 'good' to 'very good' as with migrants are joining the residents. A walk in the hills may turn up specials such as brown-backed honeybird, striped pipit and red-throated twinspot. Birding from you room or the beach may include bohms bee-eater, black-throated wattle-eye and brown-headed parrots. Boat cruises are excellent for malachite kingfisher, squacco heron and flocks of white-faced duck. There has also been sightings of the elusive Pel's fishing owls. The Pumulani bird list continues to grow and is expected to be in excess of 300 species after 5 months of recording: reason enough to bring your binoculars!
November
When a lodge opens near a community things change. Firstly there is lots of employment as the lodge is built. Then suddenly most of the "casual" work dries up and only those 50 or so that are the chosen ones stay behind to be trained and work at the now opened lodge. Then what? The tourists start to visit the village and an arrangement is made with the local chief so everyone can benefit. A school is built, first one classroom then the next. And so life changes as the village now co-exists with one of the key employers in Malawi - tourism.
October
- Pumulani has built a new school in the local community - it will be the first for the local villages.
- The results of the recent photo shoot with Dana Allen are in our photo gallery.
- The Malawi Government has given Pumulani an award for sustainable and responsible tourism.
Mark has seen a pair of black eagles in the hills behind the lodge - one very excited Mark.
September
What makes a beach holiday special? Answer - privacy. When relaxing by the waters edge it is great to have total privacy and this is a unique feature at Pumulani as a mainland lodge. Being surrounded by the Lake Malawi National Park the beach is totally private. And the swimming pool is on the hillside? What a stunning view overlooking the lake. All totally private.
