Reviews of Pumulani
Wildlife sightings and reviews
30 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Pumulani and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Mr M
United Kingdom
"Pumulani review"
3 nights Arrived 28 Aug 2024
"Beautiful rooms and location.
Luckily we were allocated the closest room to the restaurant/reception area as soon of the rooms do require going down quite a few steps.
Amazing views and perfect place to relax at the end of a safari." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 6n in Malawi
Luckily we were allocated the closest room to the restaurant/reception area as soon of the rooms do require going down quite a few steps.
Amazing views and perfect place to relax at the end of a safari." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 6n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr F
Hampshire
"Pumulani review"
4 nights Arrived 9 Jun 2024
"Ideal place to relax for a few days after ten" full on" days in the bush.
High quality food service etc." See all these reviews: 15n in Malawi
High quality food service etc." See all these reviews: 15n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Samantha
Brazil
"Amazing"
2 nights Arrived 22 Nov 2023
"Everything was great, the place is really beautiful and perfect to rest.
Loved that they have a telescope to look at the stars and someone to teach me a little bit about that." See all these reviews: 4n in Malawi
Loved that they have a telescope to look at the stars and someone to teach me a little bit about that." See all these reviews: 4n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs. E.
Zurich
"Pumulani review"
3 nights Arrived 20 Nov 2022
"+ Jen surprised us with her being the host, what a nice suprise
+ sundowner on the boat
+ fish eagle feeding (a suprise)
+ snorkeling was beautiful
+ hike up the mountain was lovely
+ nice pool areas
+ star gazing with Godfrey was brilliant
+ Jen offering new mocktails and cocktails was a treat
+ Jen was very forthcoming in that we could change our villa
- the villas were stunning but - when we were there - way too hot. Only the bedroom had air conditioning, the other rooms were so hot we couldn't spend time in them
- depending on the villas there was little space to store items/cloths
- the board walk needs attention" See all these reviews: 11n in Malawi; 5n in Zambia
+ sundowner on the boat
+ fish eagle feeding (a suprise)
+ snorkeling was beautiful
+ hike up the mountain was lovely
+ nice pool areas
+ star gazing with Godfrey was brilliant
+ Jen offering new mocktails and cocktails was a treat
+ Jen was very forthcoming in that we could change our villa
- the villas were stunning but - when we were there - way too hot. Only the bedroom had air conditioning, the other rooms were so hot we couldn't spend time in them
- depending on the villas there was little space to store items/cloths
- the board walk needs attention" See all these reviews: 11n in Malawi; 5n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
W. Sussex
"Pumulani review"
4 nights Arrived 24 Sep 2022
"From the moment we arrived and were told we were in the honeymoon villa we knew this would be a wonderful experience. Our villa was amazing, our hostess Adele was extremely helpful and looked after us royally.
Food was generally very good though the chef seemed to like adding olives to a lot of dishes! The only disappointment was one starter which we left as it was an olive brushetta rather than tomatoes we were expecting. This was a shame as on that particular evening a table had been set aside with candles etc for us for a romantic meal.
I think it would be an improvement to have a choice of 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 desserts rather than just a choice of main course.
We could relax and enjoy the facilities including kayaking and learning how to paddle board and especially enjoyed the snorkelling trip to to see the cichlid fish. Altogether a wonderful four days." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 5n in Malawi
Food was generally very good though the chef seemed to like adding olives to a lot of dishes! The only disappointment was one starter which we left as it was an olive brushetta rather than tomatoes we were expecting. This was a shame as on that particular evening a table had been set aside with candles etc for us for a romantic meal.
I think it would be an improvement to have a choice of 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 desserts rather than just a choice of main course.
We could relax and enjoy the facilities including kayaking and learning how to paddle board and especially enjoyed the snorkelling trip to to see the cichlid fish. Altogether a wonderful four days." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 5n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
The C family
Dorset
"Pumulani review"
4 nights Arrived 30 May 2022
"Our whole experience at Pulumani was a amazing.
The lodge management were incredible and made our stay very special.
The staff were excellent." See all these reviews: 8n in Malawi
The lodge management were incredible and made our stay very special.
The staff were excellent." See all these reviews: 8n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
N & J Lancs
UK
"Pumulani review"
2 nights Arrived 22 Jul 2019
"Good for a post Safari rest"
See all these reviews: 7n in Zimbabwe; 5n in Malawi; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
AFRICA
UK
"Tranquil Pumulani"
3 nights Arrived 14 Jul 2019
"Pumulani is a great place to end a Safari, very peaceful and fabulous views over the lake.
As lovely as the private villas are, we feel they are very overdue a bit of a facelift, the accommodation is looking tired, sliding doors were virtually impossible to open, bathroom door very difficult to close." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 3n in Malawi
As lovely as the private villas are, we feel they are very overdue a bit of a facelift, the accommodation is looking tired, sliding doors were virtually impossible to open, bathroom door very difficult to close." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia; 3n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Carol M
Illinois
"Pumulani -- The Next Best Thing to Paradise "
3 nights Arrived 26 Nov 2018
"While not your typical “safari camp,” Pumulani is the perfect place to end a safari experience. In fact, I came here after a month out in the bush and found the serenity I needed to reflect on all I had just seen and done, to restore my energies and to prepare for my long trip home. As I did so I was treated to breathtaking views of Lake Malawi from wall to wall windows throughout my villa, even those in the bathroom.
The villa was comprised of a long entryway leading to a kitchen area (complete with well-stocked fridge) and then to a huge and amply furnished living room. A comfortable writing desk was one of my favorite features in the bedroom, but the absolute best one was the air-conditioning provided there. (Late November can be very hot in Malawi, and the AC was a much appreciated surprise.) The bathroom had all the expected trimmings plus the lake views. And doors from both the living room and the bedroom opened onto enormous balconies.
Most of the time I stayed at Pumulani I was the only guest in residence. I could wander the property at leisure, swim in the two beautiful pools, descend the 140+ stairs leading to the beach and even have lunch there. All of the meals prepared at the lodge were exceptional, but they tasted even better at the beach.
With Ganizan and Black, both of whom are expert guides, I had the opportunity to explore the colorful shoreline by boat on four separate occasions, each time discovering something new and interesting about the lives of the fishermen who live and work in the area. Feeding and photographing the Fish Eagles close up further enhanced my Lake Malawi experience, as did a birding walk around the Pumulani grounds.
I was told that in the Chichewa language Pumulani means "rest well," and I can’t imagine a more appropriate name for this enchanting establishment." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 10n in Zambia; 7n in Malawi
The villa was comprised of a long entryway leading to a kitchen area (complete with well-stocked fridge) and then to a huge and amply furnished living room. A comfortable writing desk was one of my favorite features in the bedroom, but the absolute best one was the air-conditioning provided there. (Late November can be very hot in Malawi, and the AC was a much appreciated surprise.) The bathroom had all the expected trimmings plus the lake views. And doors from both the living room and the bedroom opened onto enormous balconies.
Most of the time I stayed at Pumulani I was the only guest in residence. I could wander the property at leisure, swim in the two beautiful pools, descend the 140+ stairs leading to the beach and even have lunch there. All of the meals prepared at the lodge were exceptional, but they tasted even better at the beach.
With Ganizan and Black, both of whom are expert guides, I had the opportunity to explore the colorful shoreline by boat on four separate occasions, each time discovering something new and interesting about the lives of the fishermen who live and work in the area. Feeding and photographing the Fish Eagles close up further enhanced my Lake Malawi experience, as did a birding walk around the Pumulani grounds.
I was told that in the Chichewa language Pumulani means "rest well," and I can’t imagine a more appropriate name for this enchanting establishment." See all these reviews: 11n in Zimbabwe; 10n in Zambia; 7n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr B.
Blumenthal
"Pumulani review"
4 nights Arrived 14 Nov 2018
"For Honey Mooners it is ok.
The snorkling gear and the bikes were in very poor condition (already rated in the lodge). Top bikes and focus on mountain biking could improve the location.
Swimming in the lake was somewhat disappointing. I expected crystal clear water, but it was murky at the beach.
Manager made everything possible.
I think it is over the top." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 4n in Malawi
The snorkling gear and the bikes were in very poor condition (already rated in the lodge). Top bikes and focus on mountain biking could improve the location.
Swimming in the lake was somewhat disappointing. I expected crystal clear water, but it was murky at the beach.
Manager made everything possible.
I think it is over the top." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 4n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
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