Livingstone addition to the Robin Pope Safaris collection

May 3, 2013

Robin Pope Safaris, the Zambia and Malawi specialist safari operator, is excited to announce its takeover of Stanley Safari Lodge in Livingstone, Zambia. This beautiful and unique ten-roomed lodge is only three kilometres from the Victoria Falls. Its remote setting on a hill bordering the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

The ultimate year to experience Africa, you presume?

March 1, 2013

You presume well! 19 March 2013 marks the 200^th anniversary of the birth of David Livingstone – explorer, writer, missionary and medic – and specialist operator Robin Pope Safaris has three extraordinary trips that retrace his footsteps

Fascinated by Africa, and considerate of its peoples, Livingstone spent 30 years there and, by the time he died, it was estimated that he had travelled over 46,000km across the continent…

Seven ways to experience Lake Malawi

October 22, 2012

Lake Malawi is on more lifetime wishlists than it’s not, and no wonder why.  A mirror-flat, sparkling surface that stretches across more than 20% of what is arguably Africa’s friendliest country, it’s certainly seductive.  Throw in an exclusive beach lodge offering languor and lively activity in equal measure, and this is wildest-dream territory. Only legendary safari operator Robin Pope Safaris could have brought such style to this lakeshore.

Majete Wildlife Reserve to become Malawi’s only Big Five park on 25 August 2012

August 15, 2012

Robin Pope Safaris is thrilled to announce that, on 25 August, Malawi’s Majete Wildlife Reserve will complete a remarkable transformation.  The re-introduction of a lion population will once again give it Big Five-status – a boast no other park in Malawi can make.

The arrival of three lion – transported from South Africa by African Parks, in a project funded by Robin Pope Safaris – will complete Majete’s collection of the Big Five, the animal quintet by which all safari areas are today judged.  The other four members are the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros; all have been re-introduced or reinvigorated in Majete, with leopards the most recent to return, in October 2011 and January 2012.

Located in southern Malawi’s Lower Shire Valley, the beautiful 70,000-hectare Majete was granted protected status in 1955, but suffered from extensive poaching in the ‘80s & ‘90s, losing huge percentages of its mammals.  In 2003, however, the philanthropic African Parks Network agreed with the Malawi government to take charge of the park, which combines granite-topped hills, river valleys and lush forest.  In an inspirational project, African Parks set about restoring, restocking and rehabilitating Majete to its former glory.

Travel PR representing Robin Pope Safaris’ Malawi properties

July 26, 2012

Travel PR is now representing Robin Pope Safaris’ two Malawi properties, Mkulumadzi and Pumulani.

Open since July 2011, Mkulumadzi is the first lodge in the Majete Wildlife Reserve, a park revitalised over the last nine years by the pioneering African Parks organisation, and now home to Malawi’s most exciting game, most of which is habituated and easy to spot.  Once lions are introduced (via a project that is being sponsored by Robin Pope Safaris) to Majete in four weeks’ time (25 August), this will become the only reserve or park in Malawi to boast all of the ‘Big Five’.  Mkulumadzi’s eight spacious chalets (each with private viewing decks) blend luxury and isolation in a romantic setting beside the confluence of the Shire and Mkulumadzi Rivers, shaded by giant leadwood and wild mango trees.  Guests can cruise on the Shire River, dine under the stars, go on game drives and undertake walking safaris.

Meanwhile, Pumulani, which opened in 2008 and is set at the southern tip of Lake Malawi, comprises ten stylish villas with cooling grass roofs, an infinity pool and a restaurant high above the water.  Meals can be served either there, on the beach, in the gardens or on each villa’s private deck. This being Lake Malawi, various watersports – such as snorkelling, waterskiing, diving and fishing – are on offer, while romance-minded guests can also sail off in a dhow. One popular experience is to walk a nature trail to a secluded beach, then kayak back along the lake shore. Pumulani provides the perfect beach add-on to a Zambian, Zimbabwean or Malawian safari, and works very well with Mkulumadzi on a two-centre itinerary.