MALILANGWE HOUSE – MALILANGWE WILDLIFE RESERVE – BORDERING GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK

Perched on a sandstone ridge in the remote Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe, this elegant exclusive-use villa was designed to offer families and friends the relaxed freedom to tailor-make their days any way they want with a dedicated private chef, game vehicle, field guide and host catering for their every need.

Malilangwe House features expansive living areas and five bedrooms with private decks, an interactive kitchen, a signature Singita bar-deli and a large rim-flow pool. With its panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and beautiful Malilangwe Dam below, this contemporary African home is set within 130,000 acres of wilderness in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve set in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast bordering Gonarezhou National Park.

The Reserve’s wildlife includes one of the highest concentrations of the endangered black rhino and with private access to this untouched wilderness you can immerse yourself in nature on twice-daily game drives, bush walks, sundowner boat cruises, excursions to rock art sites and more.

LOCATION

The House is located within the private Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in the south west of Zimbabwe and borders the Gonarezhou National Park.

Access is via scheduled flights or private charters. The Federal Air scheduled flight between Buffalo Range International Airport and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg is currently available on Mondays and the flight is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. On arrival you are met by Singita and transferred 45 minutes to the lodge.

Chartered flights can land at Lonestar airstrip located 12 minutes from the lodge where you are met by Singita and transferred to the lodge.

Transfers by road from Harare take approximately 6 hours.

HOUSE

Singita manages the house on behalf of the trust and revenue from the house helps to sustain the conservation and community work in the area, allowing each guest who visits to make a positive impact. This Zimbabwean based and managed trust was set up to develop a blueprint for creating harmony between conservation initiatives and community development in villages which neighbour wildlife areas.

This exclusive-use African home takes its cue from the rich tribal culture of the local Shangaan people who have lived in the region for thousands of years. Baobab trees punctuate the untouched wilderness of ridges, ironwood and woodlands which are home to a variety of wildlife.

The House is an exclusive-use villa with a master bedroom a master suite and 3 suites and the house comes with its own private guide, vehicle, host and chef.

The main rooms are sumptuously furnished and every creature comfort is taken care of – pampering treatments are available in the dedicated spa area, in-room or on the decks, the house has a gym, and the large rim-flow pool offers fabulous views of the landscape below. Complimentary WIFI is available and limited mobile reception.

Children of all ages are welcome and the house offers activities tailor-made for families. In the interest of safety children’s participation in game activities will be at the discretion of your guide.

ACTIVITIES AND WILDLIFE

The Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve is set on 130,000 acres of wilderness in the southeastern corner of Zimbabwe, bordering the Gonarezhou National Park. Malilangwe remains virtually untouched by humankind and occupies a key position in an area that is potentially one of Africa’s largest bio-refuges. The vegetation on the ridges and rocky outcrops is characterized by flat-topped mountain acacia woodlands and ironwood thickets. The area is home to hundreds of baobab trees and an unrivalled assortment of birds with more than 500 species – including many raptors.

During your stay you are likely to see a great variety of wildlife including black rhino, white rhino, Lichtenstein hartebeest, sable, nyala, klipspringer, cheetah, wild dog, lion, leopard and an abundance of birds.

Game drives – daily game drives with your professional guide and trackers provide the perfect opportunity to get up close to Africa’s incredible animals, while late afternoon drives offer the chance to see nocturnal wildlife.

Guided Safari Walks – walking safaris are an incredible way to experience the bush with your guide and tracker, as you track animals on foot through the wilderness and explore the plants and landscapes around you.

Fishing – the area boasts excellent game fishing throughout the year including tiger fish, bass, bream (tilapia), and catfish.

Stargazing Safaris – with very little pollution and no city lights your view of the stars here will be crystal clear – nothing between you and the vast African sky above.

Tennis – Singita Pamushana has two tennis courts, clay and Rebound Ace.

Community Visit – gain an insight into community life and the local Shangaan culture. You will be able to see the positive impact of the thriving development programmes in place and meet the people who live in the local communities. Community visits are at an additional cost.

Rock Art Site Visit – the San Bushmen are one of the earth’s oldest continuous cultures – the original hunter-gatherers. Enjoy an educational tour to view San Bushmen rock art dating back tens of thousands of years and learn about their remarkable way of life.

Sundowner Cruise – the dam below the house is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset cruise while sipping sundowners and watching the wildlife as it comes down to drink.

Children – All activities at the house are tailored to specifically suit the interests of each family. In the interest of safety, children may participate in game drives and bush walks at the discretion of the field guides. The lodge and villa also offer childminding services, as well as an array of activities to keep little ones engaged and entertained.

The Mini Rangers Course is a fun-filled programme and includes learning how to track animals; astronomy; bush survival techniques; game, tree and bird-spotting competitions as well as nature quizzes.

GIVING BACK

As custodians of the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe, the Malilangwe Trust manages the conservation of this pristine wilderness – which comprises 38 different habitats and ecological zones in 130,000 acres of protected land.

After successfully introducing 28 black and 15 white rhinos to the reserve in 1998, it’s now home to a globally significant population of both and the programme has been so successful that it is a source for restocking rhinos in other reserves on the continent.

The Trust has developed a blueprint for creating harmony between conservation initiatives and community development in villages that neighbour wildlife areas and ensured a sanctuary for a wide range of wildlife, including breeding herds of rare antelope species such as sable and roan.

An onsite Environmental Education Centre for school teachers and children allows them to immerse themselves in outdoor education and fieldwork, while the Trust’s nutrition programme provides 20,000 children with a meal before school every day in order to address increasing food insecurity in the region.

SINGITA MALILANGWE HOUSE IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE HOUSE WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND HAS FAMILY FRIENDLY ACCOMMODTION AND A MINI RANGERS COURSE