Pumulani Lodge - Lake Malawi National Park, Malawi

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Rooms & Suites: 10 Villas

Pumulani is an exclusive beach lodge on the protected shores of Lake Malawi. Opening on 1st July 2008, it will be the only luxury accommodation set within Lake Malawi National Park.

The lodge has ten individually-designed villas spread out along a lush hillside overlooking the lake. Each villa boasts a large bedroom, a spacious living area and a private deck with lake view.

Guests can relax on the sandy beach or at our stylish infinity pool. For those seeking activity, there is waterskiing, sailing, diving, wakeboarding, kayaking, snorkelling, fishing and birdwatching.

At sunset we offer scenic cruises on our traditional wooden dhow, a 40ft sailing boat handbuilt by local craftsmen. It's the perfect way to experience the beauty of Lake Malawi, described by the explorer David Livingstone as The Lake of Stars.

Pumulani enjoys a spectacular setting on the unspoilt western shore of the Nankumba Peninsula. Surrounding us is Lake Malawi National Park – a World Heritage Site – where hundreds of species of fish, including rare and colourful cichlids, swim in the clear blue water.

Rest assured that at Pumulani you will be in good hands. The lodge is part of Robin Pope Safaris, one of the finest safari companies in Africa. With high standards and friendly service guaranteed, Pumulani is the perfect location for a relaxing beach holiday, or a magical place to unwind after a wildlife safari.

Luxury accommodation, friendly personal service and stunning views over Lake Malawi combine to make Pumulani the perfect African beach lodge.

Individually designed by the Dutch architect, G. Hooft Graafland, the ten villas are modern and spacious, their clean lines blending harmoniously with the surrounding nature.

The name Pumulani means “rest well” in the local Chichewa language, and that's exactly what we offer – the chance to unwind in a beautiful and tranquil setting.

Nestled in lush hills above the still waters of Lake Malawi, our villas provide the ultimate in design and comfort. Their distinctive grass roofs reflect the heat of the African sun while the simple and elegant interiors ensure comfort and privacy.

Each of the villas is different, varying in size from a generous 125 square metres up to 175 square metres. Each has a large bedroom, a comfortable sitting area and a well equipped bathroom with bathtub, double shower and twin sinks.

The gently curving lines of the villas reflect the patterns of the lake, while interior design details are inspired by the surrounding nature – the beach, the flora and the marine life. The bedrooms open out onto private decking where guests can enjoy the morning sun, while the lounge areas have sliding doors that give access to a private deck with stunning lake views.

Our villas rest on a lush hillside along the picturesque western shores of the Nankumba Peninsula. As we look out over the calm waters of the lake we are privileged to witness some of the most beautiful sunsets in Africa.

Accolades & Articles

Malawi Magic - June 23, 2008

Insider Tips

For travel to Malawi you should be taking anti-malarials, and be up to date on the usual innoculations for Africa – tetanus, typhoid, diphtheria, and hepatitis A.

Accommodations

4 villas with twin beds 4 villas with a king size bed 1 honeymoon chalet with outside shower 1 family room that sleeps 4 (or 5 with smaller children)

Leisure

Our remote location makes Pumulani the perfect place to relax and recharge your batteries. Lie on the beach or recline on a sun bed beside our beautiful infinity pool.

Explore

Pumulani boasts a spectacular beachfront setting on the southern shores of Lake Malawi. We offer the only luxury accommodation within the confines of Lake Malawi National Park, just 45 minutes by road from the nearest airstrip.

Getting There

Airport: International flights arrive at Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Several airlines fly into Lilongwe including Air Malawi, which operates a direct weekly service from London Gatwick. Other airlines include KLM/Kenya Airways via Nairobi and South African Airways via Johannesburg. British Airways flies to Johannesburg and Lusaka in Zambia, both of which offer onward connections to Lilongwe. We also fly small aircraft from Mfuwe international airport, the gateway to South Luangwa, which is just 50 minutes from Lilongwe. On arrival at Lilongwe’s Kamuzu Airport, Pumulani guests will be met by our staff, who will assist with immigration procedures and the payment of airport taxes. Most guests take a light aircraft to Club Makokola, the closest airstrip to Pumulani. This costs about US$280 each way per person, based on a minimum of two people travelling. Transportation: Most of our guests arrive by private air charter, flying low over Malawi’s richly diverse landscapes. The final leg of their journey is completed by private vehicle or, weather permitting, you have the option of a luxury speedboat transfer. It is also possible to drive to Pumulani from Lilongwe in about three hours. When you disembark from your aircraft at Club Makokola, our staff will be waiting to meet you. We offer a free transfer to the lodge, a 45-minute drive through African bush and local villages. Alternatively, if the weather is fair, we can arrange a luxury speedboat transfer to the lodge, at a cost of US$250, one way. Health in Malawi We recommend that visitors to Malawi take malaria prophylactics. Bilharzia can be found in certain areas of Lake Malawi. Pumulani is regularly tested for bilharzia and all results have so far proved clear. Tetanus, polio, typhoid and hepatitis vaccinations are recommended. Yellow fever immunisation is only required if you are entering Malawi from a yellow fever zone. Before travelling, please check with your doctor for up-to-date medical advice. It is advisable to know your blood type in case of emergency. What to pack We recommend you bring the following items: sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen swimwear shorts/skirts, long trousers, T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, a warm jersey (for the winter months of June, July and August), a sports bra for ladies, sandals, walking shoes and socks effective insect repellent antihistamine cream and tablets aspirin and other medicines personal toiletries torch camera equipment (with spare batteries) binoculars spare contact lenses/glasses (if applicable)