Mkulumadzi (by Robin Pope Safaris), Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
E: info@mkulumadzi.com / T: +265 (0) 179 4491 / 5483
Opened in 2011 in Malawi’s rejuvenated Majete Wildlife Reserve, Mkulumadzi is Robin Pope Safaris’ second camp in the country, after Pumulani (www.pumulani.com), a beach lodge set beside Lake Malawi. A stay at Mkulumadzi brings you into a reserve that has successfully re-introduced mammals including the critically endangered black rhino – ongoing projects ensure the local community has a stake in the success of the area.
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Accommodation: Mkulumadzi consists of eight luxury chalets set in 7,000 hectares of private consession. The lodge boasts eight chalets (doubles, families and ‘honeymoon’ available) set on the banks of the Shire River, shaded by giant leadwood trees and wild mangos. Each chalet has a spacious bedroom and lounge, ensuite bathroom (with a large sunken bath overlooking the river), large outdoor ‘rain’ shower and private viewing deck where guests can sit back and enjoys the relaxing sounds of the river. The bush chalets are luxurious and spacious with contemporary furnishings, some crafted from locally-sourced materials. They are flooded with natural light, giving you the sense of being in the forest without compromising your comfort and privacy.
Each chalet has a sloping vegetated roof planted with indigenous species such as succulents, aloes, shrubs and grasses. This minimises their impact on the environment and keeps them cool in the hot season. The whole lodge is solar powered with a back-up generator.
Facilities: The lodge has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, a lounge and terrace, a bar, shop, swimming pool, viewing deck and a lapa for evening campfires. Afternoon tea is served on the terrace, and on most nights dinner is served beneath the stars.
Activities: Game drives are available with longer excursions exploring the far reaches of Majete. Walking safaris are highly recommended – routes that follow the Mkulumadzi and Shire River are especially scenic with an abundance of birdlife and large mammals. Early mornings are the best – and coolest – times for walking. There are also escorted hikes to the top of Majete hill. Boating safaris on the Shire River offer another great way to view wildlife – the banks are popular with elephant and buffalo; you’ll also spot hippo, crocodile and an abundance of birdlife. Viewing hides are set overlooking a waterhole with a range of regular visitors (buffalo, elephant, black rhino, sable antelope, eland) offering plenty of wildlife spotting and photo opportunities. Guests can also choose to visit the nearby village and community centre giving you the chance to experience Malawi outside Majete, its local culture and people.
‘Good credentials:
- Mkulumadzi supports a number of community projects in Majete and the surrounding area
- Employs local people providing a steady income for the community
- Robin Pope Safaris supports the school, health clinic and pottery workshop built by African Parks
- Stays at Mkulumadzi help support a sustainable wildlife reserve and encourages further conservation projects
- Chalets are built with ‘green roofs’; solar power is used throughout the lodge