Mvuu and Pumulani

Mvuu Lodge 3 nights and Pumulani 4 nights

From: Emerald US$2819, Shoulder US$3119, High Season US$3179

MALAWI 

Malawi is a landlocked country, running down the end of the Great Rift Valley. Dominated by Lake Malawi, the third largest lake in Africa, the surrounding country is exceptionally beautiful with dramatic scenery that includes rocky outcrops, high mountains, plateaus and views across what is considered to be Africa’s most beautiful lake. Malawi is known as the “Friendly Heart of Africa” and as a people the Malawians live up to this name. They are extremely friendly and welcoming. There are many market scenes, road side stalls, cottage industries that a visitor can comfortably visit. With both the scenery and the culture Malawi is a great country to drive in.

Day 1-3 Lilongwe Airport to Mvuu by road. It is possible to fly to Mvuu but this give you the opportunity to drive through this wonderful country – with its dramatic scenery and colourful towns. This is a journey of about 300 kilometres and we allow 4 to 4 and a half hours. We head south out of Lilongwe and soon after leaving the city are travelling through largely flat countryside with huge granite outcrops and some impressive mountains (notably Nkhoma and Chongoni) rising from the surrounding plains. When we reach Dedza where, if time allows, we may stop at a well known local pottery and coffee shop for some of Malawi’s finest cheesecake. After Dedza the road follows the Mozambique border for 70 kilometres and we are effectively driving along the western edge of the Great Rift Valley with dramatic views down to Lake Malawi to our east. At the busy little settlement of Ntcheu, interestingly peopled largely by the Ngoni tribe, descendants of the Zulus, the road starts to descend slowly to the valley floor and the temperature rises as the vegetation thickens. At Liwonde Town we turn north and the last few kilometres to the park are along scenic village tracks past vibrant villages.

Into Mvuu If the road to Mvuu is impassable due to the rains (a possibility from November to January, and a probability from February to April) or should you choose this as an optional extra then we can boat into Mvuu from Liwonde Town. The boats are aluminium speedboats with canopies and journey upstream for one hour-this is a wonderful way to enter the park. The boats depart from the southern side of the Liwonde Bridge.

Liwonde National Park is considered to be the finest park in the whole of Malawi for game and accommodation. It is also said to be one of the top birding locations in Southern Africa. The park well deserves these accolades as it offers some of the most scenic game viewing, beautiful riverine surroundings and varied bird watching you could wish to find. A great deal of the terrain is Shire River floodplains, much loved by the healthy population of Elephants in this park. They are best viewed during your boat safari on the Shire River, one of the many highlights of a stay at Mvuu Lodge.

Mvuu Wilderness Lodge lodge offers comfortable tented accommodation in spacious ‘Hemingway’-styled safari tents, with own en suite facilities for a maximum of 10 guests. Each tent has its own private viewing platform and is discreetly hidden between the thick undergrowth bordering the lagoon. 

The lodge has a swimming pool, sun deck and al fresco dining platform overlooking the river and lagoon. Your stay on is on a full board basis, including the game activities which centre around game drives by day and by night in open vehicles, walks and boat safaris, a unique activity at Mvuu. We explore the Shire River and lagoons - an excellent opportunity for sightings of elephants, hippo, crocodile and bird life. Birding is rewarding - specialities include Lillian’s lovebird, brown breasted barbet, osprey, palmnut vulture, Pel's fishing owl and Livingstone’s flycatcher.

Also available is a viewing hide on a tributary of the Shire River and also some interesting visits by bicycle to the local school and surrounding rural communities. 

MVUU LODGE Overnight

Day 4 – Transfer to Pumulani after breakfast, by either driving all the way, or if necessary (if the roads are wet), then boating to Liwonde to pick up the vehicle. The direct drive is around 2.5 hours (around 100km), first skirting the shores of Lake Malombe where most of the year we are able to visit the fish drying racks which dot the villages along the lakes edge. Further north there is the option of stopping at the old colonial naval port of Mangochi to visit the rundown yet eccentric little museum. Then you will reach the Nankumba Peninsula of Lake Malawi. This is recognised as one of the most beautiful shores of the Lake and borders Lake Malawi National Park. This Park was established in order to protect the cichlid fish unique to the area. In 1984 the park was designated a World Heritage Site.

Pumulani is exclusively situated on the westside of the Nankumba Peninsula, surrounded by national park. The ten villas are scattered around the hillside and are individual in shape and style but all have a spacious bedroom, bathroom and extensive sitting area. The front sliding doors open onto the deck – elevated above the ground giving optimal views.

Villas at Pumulani

The central dinning and bar area is high above the lake with the most spectacular views and leads onto an expansive deck. The infinity swimming pool is on a lower terraced deck. The lake shore bar offers light snacks as well as refreshments. Meals will be served in the dining area, on the beach or by arrangement on your private deck. 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 there is enough activities available to keep guests busy.

PUMULANI overnight

Day 5 – Our remote beach setting is ideal for those who simply want to soak up the sun and swim in the clear blue waters of the lake. Those who prefer to take a dive in the swimming pool, we have a infinity swimming pool near the central dining area with grand views over the lake. For those seeking activity we offer many watersports activities like snorkelling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, wake boarding and fun tube rides (all motorized activities are excluded). At the end of the day climb aboard our dhow and let our experienced local crewmen take you sailing into the sunset.

PUMULANI overnight

Activities at Pumulani

Day 6 – Today you might want to go on a special picnic tour to one of the islands (not included in the rate). Our boat takes you along the shores of Lake Malawi National park – since 1984 a World Heritage site. On the way you will see many fish eagles and other interesting birds. The water is so clear that you will observe marine life from aboard the boat. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many other activities.

PUMULANI overnight

Underwater view at Pumulani

Day 7 – Lake Malawi is the world’s most ecologically diverse lake. Its crystal clear waters are home to more than a thousand species of fish, including hundreds of species of colourful cichlids. We offer special diving courses at the best diving spots near one of the islands. For those who are interested in the real Malawian village life we offer guided walks through one of the local villages. Malawians are renowned for being amongst the most friendly people in Africa and during your stay you will have the opportunity to meet them. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many other activities.

PUMULANI overnight

The people and wildlife at Pumulani

Day 8 – On the final day of your stay with Pumulani you bid farewell to the lodge. You will be transferred back to Club Makokola where you will take a light aircraft to Lilongwe time for the connecting onto flight.

 

Your stay at Pumulani:

Includes: Full board, laundry, bar and all non motorized water sports activities (these include snorkelling, fishing, sailing, nature/ village walks, sunset cruises on the dhow, kayaking).
Excludes: Airport taxes, scuba diving and motorized water sports (waterskiing, fun tube, picnic tours)

Your stay at Mvuu:

Includes: all meals, park fees and game activities
Excludes: all drinks, and laundry.