General information
Opening 1st July 2008
About Pumulani – “The brightest star on the Lake”
Pumulani is situated on the Westside of the Nankumba Peninsula in the South end of Lake Malawi – romantically called “The Lake of Stars”. The Nankumba Peninsula 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.
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.
The ten villas are built up 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. Privacy, space and a sense of well-being are key elements.
Guests can simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many activities we offer. These include snorkelling, kayaking, waterskiing, fun tube, wake boarding, sailing, fishing and scuba diving. For those who want to get acquainted with true African life we offer village walks. Birdwatchers will be in paradise - there is an abundance of birds in both the lake shore beach and gardens as well as the hillside woodland. At the end of the day guests can enjoy Africa’s most spectacular sunsets from the pool on the upper terrace, from the beach or on board our dhow. This 12 meter wooden boat has been handcrafted by local inhabitants of Likoma Island.
The Villas
The villas are nestled in the hillside and their cooling grassed roofs blend in with the rock and trees of the surroundings. They vary in size (125 – 175 m2) and design, each with cool clean curved lines. All have a spacious bedroom, bathroom and sitting area. The bedroom has opening doors to the outside deck from which you can enjoy the morning light. The bathroom consists of a bathtub, double basin, double shower and (separate) toilet. The sitting area has access – by sliding doors - to an outside deck and grand views of the lake. Large size frames along the whole expanse of the bedroom, bathroom and sitting area enable you to revel in the views to the maximum.
The ten villas consist of:
- 4 twin bedded villa
- 4 king size bedded villa
- 1 honeymoon villa with outside shower
- 1 family villa which sleeps 4 (or 5 with smaller children)
Children’s policy
Children are most welcome at Pumulani but during the high season months the age limit is 7 years.
Meals
The meals are served, either inside or outside on the deck, at our spacious central restaurant – with a magnificent view of the lake. Our guests will be served three meals a day. We start off with an extensive breakfast with a la carte menu. Lunch consist of light meals such as salad dishes, chicken, fish, pastries etc. While enjoying the sunset we serve some snacks and drinks. In the evening our guests awaits a three courses dinner. Meal times are flexible with regard to arrival and departure times and activities.
Electricity and water
Pumulani is supplied by electricity – 220V, three square pin UK plugs. In case of power cuts we will run a generator. Please note that it takes a few minutes before the generator kicks in after a power cut.
Our water is purified but we do advise to drink the bottled water (free of charge).
Transfers
The seat rate charter flights will arrive at Club Makokola airstrip and it is a 45 minute drive to Pumulani through villages and then bush. A boat transfer can be arrange by the luxury speedboat ‘Panache’ but is weather dependant and at extra cost. Door to door, from the South Luangwa RPS camps to Pumulani, the journey is around 4 hours. This is around 30 minutes more than travelling South Luangwa camps to Livingstone.
Climate
January, February, March are the peak rainy months and Pumulani is closed.
April and May are mostly dry months with only the odd storm. These are great months to visit the Lake – nice temperatures, clear skies and hardly any wind.
June, July and August - our winter months with occasional strong winds. Pumulani is mostly shielded from these winds however. The nights are cool and day temperatures are very pleasant.
September and the temperatures start to rise, the lake is calm and the air becomes hazy.
October and November are the hot and often humid months. The lake is calm, excellent for water sports and very cooling.
December and the temperatures are still quite high but can be cooled down by early rains.
| Average Rainfall and Temperature data for Nankumba Area | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
| T_Max(°C) | 26 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 30 |
| T_Min(°C) | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 235 | 184 | 130 | 39 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 20 | 71 | 180 |
Passport and Visa
Guests need a full valid passport to enter Malawi.
Most visitors (European Union countries, USA and Australia) do not require a visa. Please let us know which nationality you have then we will check if a visa is required.
Meet and greet
At Kamuzu Airport, Lilongwe we have a meet and greet service to guide and assist guests through the immigration procedures and airport taxes.
Airport Tax
An international departure tax of USD 30 per person has to be paid at Lilongwe airport.
A domestic departure tax of 200 Malawi Kwacha per person is paid by us at Lilongwe airport.
Health
All visitors should be medically insured.
Malaria – we recommend that visitors to Malawi take malaria prophylactics.
Bilharzia can be found in certain areas of Lake Malawi. We have the vicinity of Pumulani tested on a monthly basis and all the tests have been clear.
Tetanus, polio, typhoid and the hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. Yellow fever immunisation is required only by visitors entering Malawi from a yellow fever zone.
It is advisable to know your blood group type in case of emergency.
Please ask for up to date advice in your home country.
Insurance
We highly recommend full Trip Cancellation Insurance - we do need to charge cancellation fees as stipulated. We advise that luggage is fully insured. Pumulani bears no responsibility for any delays, cancellation of flights, change of itinerary and retains the right to alter or cancel an activity with just reason. All guests are advised to have full medical and travel insurance.
What to bring
- sun hat
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- reading book
- swimming costume
- clothes: shorts /skirts, long trousers, t-shirts, long sleeves, warm jersey (winter months – June, July and august), underwear (for ladies a sports bra), sandals, walking shoes and socks.
- malaria tablets
- strong insect repellent
- anti-histamine cream and tablets
- aspirin and other medicines
- personal toiletries
- torch
- photo and film camera equipment (with spare batteries – if applicable)
- binoculars
- spare contact lenses / glasses (if applicable)
If flying in small planes you need to travel with soft bags and there will be a strict limit of 15 kg per person.
Do carry any medications, spare glasses, a change of clothes with you when travelling on international flights in case the luggage is lost for a few days.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory but most welcome when guests are happy with the service. Please give tips to the management to be shared out. To give our guests a guideline, we recommend 7,50 USD per person per day.
Cancellation policy
90 to 31 days 25%, 30 to 0 days 100%,
Bookings
Contact the RPS reservations team for bookings or further information.
Contact us for the rates of a 12 days safari combining South Luangwa and Pumulani.