Warm Heart of Malawi - with Robin Pope

Warm Heart of Malawi with Robin Pope

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Sightings of the Big Five if you are lucky!
Enjoy safaris by 4x4 and by canoe
Viist one of the top birding locations in Southern Africa - Liwonde National Park
Enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving in Lake Malawi

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FLIGHTS:

As well as commerical flights we are able to offer VIP Airliners and Private Jet Charters. We have a number of options for any request so please ask us for details.

Mkulumadzi - 3 nights

Kuthengo - 2 nights

Pumulani Lodge - 3 nights

LENGTH: 9 nights

DATES: April – 10 January

Malawi is known as the “Warm Heart of Africa”, it 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.

The safari starts at Mkulumadzi Lodge in Majete Wildlife Reserve which enjoys a stunning location on the confluence of two rivers. The Reserve is one of the outstanding success stories of African conservation. Granted protected status in 1955, it became the subject of extensive poaching in the 1980s and 1990s. But a concerted joint effort since 2003 by the African Parks Network and the Malawi government – including the reintroduction of endangered species – has turned it into a model of sustainable development and biodiversity. Today visitors enjoy sightings of elephants, leopards, rhinos, zebras, antelopes, buffaloes, lions and giraffe among many other species.

Next stop is the unspoiled Liwonde National Park another African Parks success story which promises an ultimate safari retreat where you can experience the many activities on offer with complete privacy. Located on a large open plain stretching towards the Shire River in Liwonde National Park, you will find Kuthengo Camp nestled among fever trees and baobabs. The park is considered one of the top birding locations in Southern Africa and 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. With resident fish eagles nesting in these baobabs, you will be woken to ‘Africa’s voice’ calling as you rise in this wild and natural paradise. Game in Liwonde includes hippos, crocodiles, elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetah, wild dogs, various antelopes and more.

Situated on the west side of the Nankumba Peninsula on the Southern end of Lake Malawi you can find Pumulani Lodge subtly nestled in the lush hills amongst the trees and craggy outcrops. This is the perfect ending to the safari where you can enjoy being active or simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery. Activities here vary from snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, mountain biking, sailing, birding to cultural tours to nearby villages.

Day 1 - 3 - Mkulumadzi Lodge

On arrival at Blantyre International Airport a guide from Robin Pope Safaris will meet you. The drive to Mkulumadzi is approximately 2.5hours through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture, as well as bush. The camp is located on the confluence of the Shire and Mkulumadzi River; within Majete Wildlife Reserve, 70km South West of Blantyre - Southern Malawi. Majete is Malawi’s only Big 5 Reserve and also one of the largest protected areas, and covers an area of over 70,000ha. The reserve is located within the Miombo woodland ecoregion and much of the higher lying areas in the west of the park are dominated by Miombo/Brachystegia woodland. Mixed Combretum woodlands and mosaics of riparian forest can be found in the East of Majete.

The luxurious lodge is in a stunning location and activities include game-drives, boating safaris, bush walks, hiking Majete Hill, black rhino tracking, cultural tours, birding trips on the Shire River and game-viewing from a hide. Guests are free to be as energetic or as idle as they please although at least one activity per day is encouraged to best enjoy Majete.

Day 4 - 5 - Kuthengo Lodge

After breakfast and farewells, you will be transferred to Kuthengo Camp by road transfer, approximately a 4.5 hour journey. Liwonde National Park is considered to be one of the top birding locations in Southern Africa. The park 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 Kuthengo Camp.

Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the Shire River or if you arrive in the afternoon, you can enjoy afternoon tea and the evening game drive.

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 to the local school and surrounding rural communities.

Day 6 - 8 - Pumulani Lodge

Transfer to Pumulani will be after breakfast, by a beautiful and scenic drive north (around 2.5 hours). 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 west side of the Nankumba Peninsula, surrounded by the 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. 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, there is an infinity pool near the central dining area with grand views over the lake, as well as another infinity pool on beach level. For those seeking activity we offer many watersports activities like snorkeling, fishing, sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, wake boarding and fun tube rides (all motorised 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.

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 friendliest people in Africa and during your stay you will have the opportunity to experience this for yourself. You can also simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery or can enjoy the many other activities.

Day 9 - Transit

On the final day of your stay with Pumulani you bid farewell to the lodge. You will be transferred back to Lilongwe in time for your onward connection.