Pumulani Lodge

• The only luxury beach lodge within Lake Malawi National Park
• Great sandy private beach
• Watersports include water-skiing, sailing, diving, wake-boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, fishing and birdwatching

Pumulani Lodge, meaning ‘the place of rest’, is a luxury Lake Malawi lodge perched on a hillside, giving fantastic views over the clear waters of the lake. It lies on the southern shores of Lake Malawi on the west side of the Nankumba Peninsula. Uniquely, Pumulani Lodge is the only luxury beach lodge within the Lake Malawi National Park which is the world’s first freshwater marine reserve. This World Heritage Site was established to protect the cichlid fish of the lake.

The contemporary lodge building has a great sense of space with dining area overlooking the lake, bar, sitting area and a large wooden deck. A small campfire area is close by. The infinity swimming pool is on a terraced deck, one level down.

Accommodation

Accommodation consists of ten villas between the main lodge and the beach below. Each has a bedroom, bathroom and sitting area, with large sliding doors leading out to the elevated wooden deck. Space and privacy are key at Pumulani. The villas are 120 m², which is massive. They are spaced far apart and all with grass roofs. So they blend unobtrusively into the bush. Each has a view of Lake Malawi, some uninterrupted, some with forest and lake views. The bathroom is luxurious with double sinks, vast open shower and standalone bath. There are 10 villas including a honeymoon villa and a family villa. The family villa (175m²) has two bedrooms accommodating a family of four or five. Though the villas are so large that one or two extra beds can added, without compromising the sense of space.

Pumulani Lodge has a private beach with a beach bar offering drinks and light snacks. Behind the beach, there are beautiful shaded gardens for those not wanting too much sun!  Lunch alternates between the restaurant at the lodge or at the pool bar down on the beach.

Activities

The complimentary activities at Pumulani are snorkelling, fishing, sailing, nature and village walks and kayaking. There is great snorkelling from the nearby rocks only a short swim or kayak away. Pumulani Lodge has its own traditional wooden dhow sailing boat for sunset cruises. Motorized water sports (water-skiing, fun tube, picnic tours) are available at an additional cost, as is scuba diving, at nearby Cape Maclear.

Note: Pumulani has a lot of steps. Golf buggies are available to transport you from the lodge down to the beach and vice versa but if you are on one of the middle levels, then it's quite a few steps either up to the lodge or down to the beach. Good exercise to walk off lunch or dinner!