Zambia / Malawi with Robin Pope Safaris

by Mel
(Wiltshire, UK)

The position of Luangwa Safari House is second to none, looking out onto a lagoon which was semi dried up at this time of year. As a result there was a constant stream of elephant families (with lots of young) coming down to drink and bathe. It was one of the most special experiences I have ever had in Africa.

Mel's Safari Details: Rating: Certainly 10/10; outstanding Safari company used: Robin Pope Safaris (make an enquiry) Parks visited: Lake Malawi, South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) Date of safari: 22 August - 5 September 2009 (2 weeks) More reviews about Robin Pope Safaris » Review Index: Safari operator performance Accommodation Food Wildlife Other activities Tips and advice Free Safari Photography e-Book Get your copy of the "Better Safari Photography" e-book at no charge, which pinpoints exactly what you need to know and do before, during and after your safari trip to improve your safari photography results whether you are a novice, intermediate or advanced photographer.

Safari Operator Performance

We travelled with Robin Pope Safaris (enquire about a safari with this company) who owned all three lodges we visited.

Our two week holiday consisted of 6 days on Lake Malawi and 7 days on safari in the South Luangwa National Park (Zambia).

We consisted of two families and included 4 teenagers aged between 15 and 17 years of age.

It was planned as the 'family trip of a lifetime' and it certainly lived up to its name.

Robin Pope Safaris is an excellent safari company who knows what it is that clients are looking for to have a really special holiday.

We were looked after from the minute we arrived in Africa until our departure. It was wonderful!

Accommodation

Our accommodation consisted of 6 nights at Pumulani on Lake Malawi, 4 nights at Luangwa Safari House and 3 nights at Nsefu.

PUMULANI:

It isn't until you sink into the welcoming clear waters of Lake Malawi that you realise how much superior it is to salt water.

Pumulani Lodge offers spacious luxury accommodation on the lines of a safari lodge rather than a 'resort'.

The accommodation is outstanding. Very comfortable in a perfect understated way so that you felt you had the height of luxury without being pretentious.

There is quite a mixture of people who stay there – honeymoon couples / families / older couples / small groups of friends. There really is something for everyone.

LUANGWA SAFARI HOUSE:

Despite being hesitant at the concept of staying in a 'house' in the Africa bush, I found Luangwa Safari House (LSH) to be the experience of a lifetime.

I have travelled extensively around Africa for the last twenty six years but chose this place to bring the others.

The house is imaginatively designed with open spacious rooms off a central dining / sitting area with a great high thatched roof.

The atmosphere of the house, together with the outstanding staff make you feel a million dollars.

We were there for 4 nights but could happily have stayed for over a week. I just want to go back!

NSEFU CAMP:

The Luangwa Valley is a very special place to go on safari and Nsefu is an ideal lodge.

Overlooking a bend of the Luangwa River you can often sit on your verandah and watch a family of elephants crossing.

The chalets are all very understated, keeping that feeling of 'bush' whilst offering welcome comfort.

This lodge is typical of Robin Pope Safaris' high standard of … well everything really. Vehicles, guides, food, accommodation. This is just a lovely place to stay.

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Food

PUMULANI: quite excellent and I couldn't recommend the lodge highly enough.

LUANGWA SAFARI HOUSE: mouth-wateringly delicious.

NSEFU CAMP: outstanding and the atmosphere very warm - you settle in very quickly!

Wildlife

The Luangwa has wonderful wildlife.

LUANGWA SAFARI HOUSE:

You hardly feel you need to go out on a game drive, but when you do, you often go over the river on a Robin Pope Safaris pontoon that avoids all the hassle of joining others travelling over the bridge into the park.

Superb leopard and lion sightings and during our 7 day Luangwa safari we saw over 120 bird species.

Our guide, Jacob, was a delight. Knowledgeable and personable, he gave us the perfect 5 days in this wonderful park.

The vehicles very comfortable and in excellent condition.

NSEFU CAMP:

There is a wonderful balance of woodland and open spaces.

The game is spectacular with wonderful sightings of leopard, lion and elephant as well as countless birds and the usuals (impala, warthog, zebra, giraffe, baboon, hippo, crocodile) as well as some rarer or downright unusual (kudu, bushbuck and puku).

The guides are quite excellent, tuning their knowledge to your interests, whether it be walking, driving, birds etc.

Other Activities

Pumulani was ideal for it combined a chance to relax (if you felt so inclined) with the opportunity to do a lot – sailing / kayaking / snorkelling / diving / waterskiing / cycling / dhow trips.

However, from the activities point of view the real strength lay in the fact that not only could you do all the things that you could do if you visited the Mediterranean, but you could make uncontrived visits to African villages and go on exciting bird walks, thus it was not just a cop-out for the children, but a chance for them to experience different aspects of Africa before we went off on safari.

Tips and Advice

Make sure everyone has their own pair of binoculars - no sharing!

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