SINGITA PAMUSHANA LODGE – MALILANGWE WILDLIFE RESERVE – BORDERING GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK

Perched on a sandstone ridge, family friendly Singita Pamushana has just eight elegant suites all with private plunge pools and is set within the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe’s remote southeast.

Drawing inspiration from the rich tribal history of the region, the lodge’s organic-shaped buildings feature detailed thatch and stonework, carefully curated interiors and picturesque views of the surrounding landscape and Malilangwe Dam below.

The Reserve’s wildlife includes one of the highest concentrations of 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 lodge 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.

LODGE

Singita manages the lodge on behalf of the trust and revenue from the lodge 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.

The organic shaped buildings are reminiscent of Great Zimbabwe – thick walls, meticulous thatching and detailed stonework lay the foundation for bold interiors that are in marked contrast to the surrounding landscape. There are just eight beautifully furnished suites which include four 1-bedroom suites, one 2-bedroom family suite, one 3-bedroom family suite and two 2-bedroom suites – all with their own private swimming pool.

The main lodge area features staggered and interlinked platforms and offers a variety of areas to relax including a comfortable lounge, indoor dining area, a bar, and expansive decking. A cliff-top fire pit and bar-deli overlooking the dam provides a wonderful setting for alfresco dining and fireside drinks.

The lodge has a stunning infinity pool in the main lodge area, a spa, a fully equipped gym and there is complementary WIFI and minimal phone signal.

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 professional guides 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 your guide and tracker, as you track animals on foot through the wilderness and explore the plants and landscapes around you.

Fishing – the lodge 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 lodge is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset cruise while sipping sundowners and watching the wildlife as it comes down to drink.

Swimming – enjoy a swim at the swimming pool located at the main lodge area. All of the guest suites have their own private plunge pools.

Children – All activities at the lodge 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 PAMUSHANA IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

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