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The Newest Big Five Country

May 15, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

One of the New Malawi Lions

Malawi is known for many things – a gorgeous swimmable lake, friendly people – but a big selection of wildlife is not one of them. Top of travelers’ safari lists this Central African country has never been. Until now, that is … or until August. That’s when it will become home to four lions, and Malawi once again can be classified as a country that has the Big Five. The country has also recently gotten a new president, the second woman president in Africa, Joyce Banda, who has already started making waves (of a very positive, democratic kind!) in Africa.

Two Leopards Before Being Set Free

Historically, lions were common in Malawi’s south, but by the early 1960s scouts were recording only one cat every 100 patrol days. Serious poaching depleted their numbers, and there have been no reports of lions in the region since the 1980s. Although the occasional lion is seen in Liwonde National Park, further north in the country, it is believed that they come across the border from Mozambique and are not permanent.

The four cats arriving in August are being donated by South African National Parks to the 70,000-hectare Majete Wildlife Reserve in the Lower Shire River Valley. That will complete the Big Five – right now there are elephant, rhino, buffalo and (from very recently) leopard. The non-profit African Parks has been resurrecting Majete since it took over management in 2003. Since then Majete has been fenced and infrastructure developed, and at least 12 different species and more than 2500 animals introduced. The safety provided by the perimeter fence and a law-enforcement program, as well as the abundance of prey, has created an environment where lions can once again thrive.

A Leopard's New Home, Majete

Last October, two leopards were brought from South Africa, and then in December, two more. As for the lions, African Parks announced in a statement, “Healthy animals at the beginning of their reproductive lives will be selected … and the intricate relocation process will involve weeks of quarantine on both sides of the border. It will also be a costly operation with holding facilities having to be erected and flights chartered to transport the predators to their new home.”

It has taken many people and companies to achieve these translocations, and one of them is Robin Pope Safaris, which owns the recently opened luxury Mkulumadzi Lodge in Majete (as well as other great safari operations in Africa) and contributes to African Parks. Without people and businesses like them, the good works could never happen.

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Filed Under: Africa, Anti-Poaching, Conservation, Feature Stories, Features, G-M, Good Stuff, Hot Stuff, Malawi, Robin Pope Safaris Tagged With: african parks, leopard, lion, robin pope, sanp, translocation

Kaya Mawa, Malawi

October 7, 2011 By admin 2 Comment

Pool on the Lake

Kaya Mawa has used, in its construction, not only the natural surroundings – on Likoma Island, in Lake Malawi – but also natural building materials. Built by hand, without the aid of power tools, it took six years to create. All the rooms are built from rocks that were brought straight from the lake by locals carrying them on their heads, and each one is topped with a thatch roof. At least 100 local people were employed in its construction, from carpenters to stonemasons.

On the Water

The rooms are rustic but luxurious and showcase local craftsmanship. The interiors are designed and finished by an island company. Each room hugs the lay of the island and has direct access to the lake. All the lodge’s employees are local.

Waterside Perch

FROM GARDENS TO TEXTILES

Kaya Mawa employs one person from every family living in the three neighboring villages.  It also works within the community, and the ten projects it is involved in include piping water to the villages and feeding people in need.  Locals are encouraged to not only develop gardens and sell their produce to the lodge but also stock their stores with things that Kaya Mawa can purchase.

Textiles by Katundu

The interiors in the lodge were made by Katundu, an island company set up by the wife of one of the directors to assist single mothers and orphans on the island. Katundu employs 26 women, all single mothers or older orphans, who create fabulous textiles in their workshop that they then sell locally and abroad.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“Because our staff comes from the surrounding villages, all of our neighbors have benefited, from in-house training provided by the managers to the financial and medical support and education provided by the lodge. The company’s aim is to provide flawless service and beautiful accommodation without sterilizing the African beauty of our surroundings.”

Inland Sea? No, Lake Malawi

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Filed Under: Africa, Conservation, Education, Good Stuff, Kaya Mawa, Lodge of the Week, Malawi, People, Women Tagged With: beach, katundu, kaya mawa, lake malawi, likoma island

Pumulani, Malawi

October 1, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Dive In - Twice - at Pumulani

Who They Are

Pumulani on Lake Malawi, a UNESCO site in Lake Malawi National Park, is a new lodge that belongs to Robin Pope Safaris. There are ten large villas nestled in the lush hills above the still waters of the lake, providing excellent design and comfort. Their distinctive grass roofs deflect the heat of the African sun while the simple and elegant interiors ensure comfort and privacy. Individually designed by a Dutch architect, the villas are modern and spacious, their clean lines blending harmoniously with the surrounding nature.

Simple but Sublime

Activity on the Lake

Activity on the Lake

Many visitors to Lake Malawi are surprised by the quality of the water – clean, clear and warm, with no currents, no salt content, and more than 500 species of fish recorded, although there’s thought to be an equal number still unrecorded. Guests can snorkel, fish, sail, and kayak. Visits to the village and to local homes, accompanied by local guides, are included.

Al Fresco African

What They Are Doing

Nearby Pumulani, between Mbeya and Kasankha villages, RPS has built a school for locals, who used to have to walk over ten kilometers to school every day. The school, which will probably open in 2010, can seat up to 100 pupils. There are two large classrooms with blackboards, benches, and desks. It is located on the outskirts of the village next to the soccer fields which will provide the children with ample space for activities during playtime. A number of  guests have left pens, pencils, and books for the school as well as very generous donations.

More Lake Activity

There is also a bursary scheme in place to support children who don’t have the financial means to continue on to secondary school. RPS works with Nankhwali Secondary School in the nearby village, Lisumbwi Secondary in Monkey Bay, and Zomba Catholic School near Blantyre.

In 2007 RPS started Reforest Nsefu, a project that is aimed partly at offsetting carbon emissions, partly at reforestation. It also encourages locals to plant and nurture trees for future use (for fruit, firewood, or to make poles and furniture). Some 1,000 trees are planted a year, and the project employs a local person to help the villagers with the sustenance of the trees.

In Their Own Words

“The hope is that the children will get involved with the project and this will offer them an opportunity to learn about trees and about conservation.”

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Filed Under: Africa, Conservation, Education, Good Stuff, Lodge of the Week, Malawi, People, Pumulani Tagged With: beach, lake malawi, pumulani, reforest nsefu