Pumulani in Lake Malawi, Malawi

Dutch architect G. Hooft Graafland designed each of the 10 luxury villas individually adapting them to their own unique location to ensure they blend harmoniously into their different surroundings. The gently curving lines of the very spacious villas reflect the patterns and movements of the lake along with the interior design, which is directly inspired from the surrounding nature.

Each villa (four twin, four king, one honeymoon & one family villa) has a large bedroom which opens out onto a private deck where early risers can enjoy the morning’s first raysand the spacious lounge area offers further comfort for those wishing to relax in the room. The ensuite bathrooms also offer splendid views and are well equipped with a bathtub, double shower and double sink. Each villa has fans as well as air conditioning and all the windows can be closed making it perfectly safe for young families or first time travelers to Africa.

The family villa is the closest to the beach and all activities are easily organised from this point. Just off the master bedroom is a twin room with a large spacious bathroom with double basins, showers and a bath. The sitting area has plenty of space for the whole family to relax.
The spacious villas blending into the environment and the various spread out communal areas ensure that you are always able to feel alone. The central area consists of a spacious open restaurant with an undercover area, bar and a cozy fire area. Take in the views from the dining room whilst enjoying a perfectly prepared meal or relax down at the beach and have lunch at the beach bar listening to the water lapping up against the beach. The infinity swimming pool is on a lower terraced deck. Three raised walkways with steps lead off from the central area to the villas and down to the beach.

Luxury accommodation, friendly personal service and stunning views over Lake Malawi combine to make Pumulani the perfect African beach lodge.
Pumulani offers a range of activities from the enjoyment of a good book by the infinity pool or down at the beach to racing around the water with some waterskiing or wakeboarding. When the day starts to draw to a close enjoy a sail out in the traditional dhow for sundowners in the middle of the lake. After dark take a closer look at the magic of the night sky through our stargazer. Take a guided walk through the village seeing and having the local traditions and rituals explained or take a guided walk from the lodge up into the hills enjoying the views and beauty as well as the wonderful birdlife. Coming down from the hills to the lake shore, a kayak will meet you there for a gentle paddle back. You can cycle down the hill from the lodge through the village and around the point where the kayaks will meet you for your paddle back.

Our 2 speedboats can whisk you around the lake with various water activities such as water-skiing, wakeboarding and tubing. Or an exhilarating drive to secluded spots where you can jump out the boat and snorkel or dive taking in the clouds of tropical fish that inhabit the water. For the more experienced sailors we have two dhingys which are great fun to nip around the lake in.

Pumulani is the ideal retreat for families welcoming children of all ages, the family villa specifically designed and positioned under the hillside on the lake shore allows children to play on the lawn under the mango trees in complete safety. Let our experienced team look after the children whilst mum and dad relax on the beach or go for a walk in the hills. There is not one minute for boredom, we can take them out on the speed boats, tubing, learning to water ski or simply wander around the property with one of our guides showing them the many birds and fantastically colored skinks and igamas.

Children’s activities and services:
· Pumulani's trained staff can look after the children in the villa and help supervise them during activities.
· Cot and bedding available for younger children.
· Meal times are flexible and can be fitted to your child’s needs. We have a selection of delicious child friendly food on the menu to choose from.
· Swimming pool and beach ball.
· Fishing rods available and the rocky shoreline is a wonderful spot to test your skills.
· Water sports are wakeboarding, water skiing and fun tubing, snorkelling kayaking.
Responsible Tourism

Operating lodges and camps in protected ecosystems in Africa alongside local indigenous communities and wildlife comes with a great deal of responsibility.

Robin Pope Safaris is committed to responsible tourism. We conduct our business in a manner that benefits the environment and wildlife conservation, the people who work for us, and our neighboring communities. In this way our tourism operations, and the presence of our guests, has the capacity to protect natural wildlife areas, alleviate poverty through good employment practices and contribute positively to the local community. We work together with community development, wildlife conservation and responsible tourism specialists to ensure that we operate in accordance with these principles.

Caring for the environment

Robin Pope Safaris takes pro-active steps to ensure that we run in an environmentally responsible manner. This is important in protecting the fragile ecosystems upon which the wildlife and local people rely upon for their survival and in which we operate.

Steps we take:
- The use of green technology; solar energy systems, natural air-cooling and non-fired bricks.
- Conserve water
- Recycle, re-use, or dispose waste in a responsible matter.
Wildlife Conservation

Robin Pope Safaris undertakes many activities, and supports a diversity of projects that contribute to the conservation and protection of wildlife. We also ensure that wildlife and their habitats are not disturbed by our operations.

Activities we undertake:
Professionally Trained & Highly Qualified Safari Guides
Our guides are trained to the highest possible standards and all have professional safari guiding qualifications.

Anti-Poaching
In Zambia we financially support the vital anti-poaching activities of Conservation South Luangwa (CSL) in order to keep South Luangwa’s wildlife safe from poachers.
We also support both financially and practically our local Kakumbi Community Resource Board.
In Zimbabwe we support the Zambezi Elephant Fund. This fund works with local authorities, as well as a collaborative group of alliance partners to maintain a strong anti-poaching presence.

Carnivore Research The Luangwa Valley is home to Zambia’s second largest wild dog population, its largest lion population and one of its largest leopard populations.

Conservation Education
Changing ‘hearts and minds’ of community members living alongside wildlife to understand the importance and value of wildlife are crucial in its conservation.

Support of Government Wildlife Bodies
Robin Pope Safaris supports the conservation efforts of the Zambian, Malawian and Zimbabwean governments through the payment of tourism levies and fees, by reporting snared animals to the wildlife authorities, promoting the protection of fish species along Lake Malawi National Park and by assisting their operations with vehicles and resources when needed.

Community benefit

For over 30 years, we have been committed to ensuring that our local communities benefit from our presence through employment. We understand the interdependence between local communities and the wildlife and natural resources that tourism depends upon. As we operate in rural areas that lack other development opportunities, we are in a great position to impact positively on local people’s lives.

Healthcare
Robin Pope Safaris founded the Luangwa Safari Association Medical Fund, which contributes to the upkeep of the government’s rural Kakumbi Health Centre; which provides healthcare for more than 20 000 residents.

Education
Robin Pope Safaris believes that investing in education provision in the local community is one of the best contributions we can make to our neighbours. Education is key to ending the cycle of poverty in rural African communities.

Trade Not Aid
We purchase as many locally available supplies as possible to stimulate local trade. We also contract local craftsmen for new buildings and in the refurbishment of our existing properties and support local artisans by selling their wares in our gift shops.

With our active support, community members from Kawaza Village set up and manage the first authentic cultural village tourism enterprise in Zambia. We encourage trade with Kawaza Village and are their main supplier of guests, marketing them internationally through our website and our tour operator partners and acting as their Booking Agent.

Caring for our staff

To care for our staff, we ensure high standard treatment, fair wages, and good working conditions as well as access to education and training. We employ solely on the basis of merit and employ local staff in all areas of our operations.

Training & Promotion
We have a number of training mechanisms in place for our staff and have a policy of in-house development and promotion from bottom to top.

We always reward good work and encourage our staff to further their education – both through our in-house training courses and externally. We sponsor employees that show high commitment and potential to develop themselves to senior management level.

Pumulani

Pumulani

Key Facts

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