Well, hello there. I hope you are healthy and happy and have had a lovely weekend. If anyone is feeling a need for some fresh air and beauty, carry on reading as we have some lovely news from Kascha down at Pumulani. So, Kascha over to you:
“It’s been a busy couple of months here at Pumulani, and I wanted to share a few highlights from this winter season- both the quiet moments that sneak up on you and the unforgettable ones that stick with you.
Most mornings start the same way – looking out over the lake. When it’s calm, it’s like a mirror – perfectly still, sky-blue, and endlessly peaceful. It never gets old. It’s one of those sights that just makes you stop and breathe for a minute.
We’ve mostly had dry season weather – cool mornings, sunny days, and those crisp evenings that make sitting by the fire feel just right. Our guests have been making the most of it. Some have been up bright and early for mountain hikes (the views up there are always worth the effort), while others have eased into the day with a paddle around the bay or a snorkel to check out the colourful cichlids.
Pumulani also remains a place to just kick back and relax – and many guests enjoy that, especially after their eventful safaris. Chongoni Rock Art and Mua Mission have also been on some guests’ to-do lists, and they’ve really enjoyed exploring Malawi’s history and culture.
Sunset here is truly special – not just on the water, but also from the beach or the main area. With a G&T or cold beer in hand, guests watch the sky change colour over the lake. The boats drift in the distance, the last birds call for the night, and for a little while, everyone just seems to pause. No rushing, no plans – just a shared appreciation for the moment. It’s simple, but truly memorable.
We’ve had lovely feedback recently too – guests sharing how welcomed and looked after they’ve felt by our team, how relaxed they’ve become in just a few days, and how Pumulani feels like a place where they can truly switch off. That’s the best part of what we do.
And a little wildlife surprise! After nearly a year, the Pel’s Fishing Owl has returned to the pond. We’ve only had a brief sighting so far, but fingers crossed it sticks around for more guests to see – it’s a rare and special bird, and we’re thrilled it’s back.
After what seemed like an eternity, the Star Gazer at Pumulani is finally back to full working condition. After months of frustration, we managed to get a hold of Nico from Sutherland in South Africa’s Norther Cape. For those that know the area you will be familiar with SALT- Southern Africa Large Telescope – where Nico works, and they own Sutherland Planetarium. Nico and his wife Danel jumped at the opportunity to come visit Malawi for the first time. After a few days of taking everything apart, giving it a clean, and endless time on Google, we even managed to get the Auto Guidance System back online.
We even added a mount for your telephone so you can also take a picture of the magic to share with your family and friends. And as you can see, the results were just amazing (watch a video clip here). Making you realise once more that we are but just a spec in the vastness of space.
Warm greetings from Lake Malawi.”
Sounds simply heavenly thank you so much for sharing this with us and we look forward to having more news from you all as the season progresses. Meanwhile here in the valley well as the lions’ roar through the night and the elephants feast on the winterthorn pods life continues at a relaxed pace (well on the surface at least). The camps are in full swing, and the guests are all having some fabulous sightings all the way from ants to zebras. More detailed reports on Luangwa sightings will follow on the next update I am sure but for today I am going to leave you all to the rest of your week and hope that you have a fabulous time with plenty of smiles and laughter and don’t forget to look after one another.