Nomad_Africa_Edition12

Combined with a number of games and activities,
never a dull moment is assured.
I decide on an early night, drifting off to
sleep to the eerie and unique cry of the Pel’s
fishing owl, its undulating echoes piercing
the dark African night. The day brings me, finally,
to the glorious and breath-taking Lake
Malawi! Pumulani Beach Lodge perches
high above the tranquil, endless blue water
in opulent, exotic nest against the mountain
within the Lake Malawi National Park.
The lodge has an airy, sea-breezy feel to it
with high ceilings, some nautical decor
themes and of course, a spectacular view.
The ten villas are spread out along a lush hillside,
overlooking the lake. Each has a large
bedroom, a comfortable sitting area and a
humungous bathroom with bathtub and
double shower. And, naturally, private decks
with views of the lake. The lodge also has a
family villa that sleeps four (or five with
smaller children).
We take one of the wooden walkways
down to the beach. If you have kids, beware.
They will never want to leave. Besides
the pool and the beach, there is water-skiing,
sailing, diving, wakeboarding, kayaking,
snorkeling and fishing – and everything is
safe. The staff on the beach are ready and
willing to assist with whatever activity you
choose to participate in, all included in the
rate apart from scuba diving. After a divine
dinner, I stretch out on my balcony in the
balmy night. I see six falling stars in half an
hour. How many wishes can one person
have? Mumbo Island awaits us for lunch the
following day and I have to devote an entire
book to this pristine and deserted tropical island.
Mumbo Island has never been populated
and is still in its natural state with a thick
covering of miombo woodland and ancient
fig and baobab trees.
The tiny island camp, with capacity for only
fourteen guests, features tastefully furnished
tents (one is a family tent) with shaded
decks, hammocks, hot bucket showers and
‘eco-loos’. The small waves lap the tiny
beach with butterfly kisses and we kayak for
hours on the calm crystal blue lake in this secluded
slice of heaven. Back at Pumulani, a
treat awaits after dinner. Chris, the manager,
sets up the lodge’s very fancy telescope for
us to get a close-up of the constellations and
planets. It is a very surreal feeling to see Saturn
in real life with its rings, just as it appears
in drawings.
A tiny four-seater plane takes us aboard the
next day for the hour’s flight to Mfuwe South
Luangwa National Park in Zambia. On arrival,
we are met by our ranger, Freddie, who
takes us to our final haven – Nkwali. The rustic,
yet luxurious, Nkwali Camp accommodates
fourteen guests, and the beautiful
rooms are made of woven bamboo, stone
floors and thatch, each with a view of the
glittering river. There is one family room, a
double and a twin, both en-suite and a
swimming pool. The laid-back, thatched
Robin’s House caters for groups and families,
as does the majestic, totally exclusive and
full-serviced Luangwa House further away
on the property.
That afternoon on the game drive, we spot
a leopard up a tree, lions lazing in the shade,
hyena, jackals and buffalo. The Lodge also
offers walking safaris, night drives and boating.
Dinner was a delightful, traditional ‘braai’
(barbeque) in the bush, featuring maize,
steak, sausage, chicken and salads.
On our last night, we stayed at the quaint
Heuglins Guest House – a charming and
perfect gateway between Zambia, Malawi
and South Africa with great service and
great food.
20 | www.nomadafricamag.com | ...Celebrating the world’s richest continent | Issue 12