Jan
Green seasonWildlife: High rainfall and lush scenery; the lodge closes for part of January.
High rainfall and lush scenery; the lodge closes for part of January.
Pumulani Lodge
Lake Malawi, Malawi · National park
Photo: Dana Allen · Robin Pope Safaris · Source ↗
Full board+ (FB+)
Accommodation, Meals and 11 more
9 rooms
Bush View Villas, Lake View Villas
All ages welcome
Family rooms available
By air
via Club Makokola Airstrip
Wi-Fi in public areas
From about A$560
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Pumulani Lodge
Pumulani Lodge sits on a wooded hillside above Lake Malawi, with nine villas linked by steps and walkways. Each has an air-conditioned bedroom, a lounge and a private deck. Two infinity pools offer places to unwind between kayaking, paddleboarding and sunset dhow cruises. Children of all ages are welcome, and the family villa has two connected bedrooms sharing one bathroom. The hillside layout is less suitable for travellers with mobility difficulties. Meals, drinks, laundry and non-motorised activities are included, while motorised excursions cost extra. Birdlife and colourful freshwater fish give this lakeside stay its character.
“A relaxed lakeside choice for families and couples who enjoy time on the water, with spacious villas, two pools and sunset dhow cruises. The many steps make it less suitable for travellers with mobility difficulties.”
Best for
FamiliesHoneymoonersLeisureBirders
Known for
What you can expect to see
Birdlife
Lake Malawi cichlids and African fish eagles bring wildlife interest to a stay centred on the water.
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board+ (FB+)
Included
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Drinks
- Laundry
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Nature walks
- Kayaking
- Stand-up paddleboarding
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Sunset dhow cruise
- Lilongwe airport meet and greet
Not included
- Park fees
- Flights
- Transfers
- Visas
Park and conservation/community costs are USD 15 per person per night, with a 1% tourism levy added. Flights, transfers, visas, airport taxes and landing fees are extra.
Optional extras (at a cost)
Scuba diving and motorised watersports cost extra, and village walks require a USD 10 donation per person. A snorkelling excursion is included with stays of four nights or more and costs extra on shorter stays.
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Wi-Fi in public areas
In your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Private deck
Rooms
Where you sleep
- Bush View Villas4 at the property · En-suite bathroom, Air-conditioning, Ceiling fan, Private deck, Lounge area
- Lake View Villas5 at the property · En-suite bathroom, Air-conditioning, Ceiling fan, Private deck, Lounge area
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Club Makokola Airstrip
- Transfer
- Pumulani Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · via Club Makokola Airstrip
- Transfers
- Road transfers from Lilongwe take 4.5 to 5 hours. Flights to Club Makokola Airstrip connect with a road transfer to the lodge; travel with soft bags rather than hard suitcases.
- Luggage
- Soft bags only
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 12:00
- Check-out
- By 10:00
- Children
- All ages welcome. Family rooms available
- Single travellers
- No single supplement
- Accepted currencies
- USD, EUR, GBP
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
Before you travel
Australian Government travel advice
Malawi
Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
Last updated
Read the full advice on Smartraveller for Malawi (opens in a new tab)
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Summarised and shortened by Explore Africa; read the full advice on Smartraveller.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Green season
- February: Closed
- March: Green season
- April: Good
- May: Good
- June: Good
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Good
- October: Good
- November: Good
- December: Green season
- Good
- Green season
- Closed
Month-by-month notes
Feb
ClosedWildlife: Closed for annual maintenance.
Closed for annual maintenance.
Mar
Green seasonWildlife: Frequent rain, high humidity and prolific birdlife; the lodge reopens during March.
Frequent rain, high humidity and prolific birdlife; the lodge reopens during March.
Apr
GoodWildlife: Rain eases, humidity falls and clearer days improve snorkelling conditions.
Rain eases, humidity falls and clearer days improve snorkelling conditions.
May
GoodWildlife: Cooler nights and falling humidity, with occasional showers and strong fish-eagle sightings.
Cooler nights and falling humidity, with occasional showers and strong fish-eagle sightings.
Jun
GoodWildlife: Sunny, clear winter days with pleasant temperatures and varied birdlife.
Sunny, clear winter days with pleasant temperatures and varied birdlife.
Jul
GoodWildlife: Cool winter temperatures with sunny days and occasional drizzle; the lake remains warm enough for snorkelling.
Cool winter temperatures with sunny days and occasional drizzle; the lake remains warm enough for snorkelling.
Aug
GoodWildlife: Sunny, clear days and gradually rising temperatures, with varied birdlife.
Sunny, clear days and gradually rising temperatures, with varied birdlife.
Sep
GoodWildlife: Warmer days with occasional showers and freshwater fish visible in the lake.
Warmer days with occasional showers and freshwater fish visible in the lake.
Oct
GoodWildlife: Hot beach weather; pied kingfishers, cormorants and fish eagles are prominent.
Hot beach weather; pied kingfishers, cormorants and fish eagles are prominent.
Nov
GoodWildlife: Hot beach weather and arriving migratory birds; humidity rises and showers often arrive late in the month.
Hot beach weather and arriving migratory birds; humidity rises and showers often arrive late in the month.
Dec
Green seasonWildlife: Frequent afternoon showers and thunderstorms, high humidity and migratory birds.
Frequent afternoon showers and thunderstorms, high humidity and migratory birds.
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
Stayed here?Share your review
Helpful guides
Plan around this stay
Nearby
Other stays nearby
Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed by the lodge when you contact them.