MAJETE, Malawi (11/2010) Robin Pope Safaris, the classic safari company known for its specialized and walking safaris, will open a luxury lodge called Mkulumadzi in the Majete Wildlife Reserve of Southern Malawi next July 15.
Set on a lush riverbank within a virgin forest, Mkulumadzi will comprise eight spacious chalets, each with private viewing decks offering dramatic and unimpeded views over the confluence of two major rivers, the Mkulumadzi and the Shire. Interiors are elegant and uncluttered. Contemporary comforts such as an environmentally-friendly cooling system and luxurious bathrooms are blended with rustic Leadwood balustrades, a natural pole pergola and a facade that opens up to reveal the breathtaking view. Each chalet’s vegetated 'green roof' not only ensures extra camouflage, but has a natural cooling effect on the building. The main lodge will be an open-fronted space maximizing the beautiful river views and taking advantage of some cool shade on the forested banks. Activities range from swimming in the pool and dining under the stars, to river cruises, game drives and walking safaris.
The vision for Mkulumadzi is for visitors to be as active or as idle as their inclinations. They can track rhino in the bush, hike to the peak of Majete Hill, take a cultural tour of local villages or simply lounge on the shaded riverbank listening to the grunt of hippos wallowing in the water.
Mkulumadzi is owned and managed by Robin Pope Safaris, which was founded in 1986, and which has earned a reputation as Africa’s leading safari company. Standards of accommodation, hospitality, guiding and catering are second to none. Because of their prior success in operating lodges in Zambia and Malawi and their record of investing back into local communities, Robin Pope Safaris were awarded an exclusive private concession within Majete Wildlife Reserve to build Mkulumadzi.
MAJETE WILDLIFE RESERVE
The Reserve encompasses some 175,000 acres of unvisited, unexplored, and unspoiled wilderness, a vast region of mature miombo woodland and granite-topped hills contrasting with picturesque river valleys and dense, pristine forest. It is the habitat of the elusive black rhino as well as elephant, buffalo, Nyala, sable, eland and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. Lion, leopard and cheetah will be reintroduced in 2012 as part of a pioneering conservation project. Once that happens, Majete will again be home to the Big Five.
Numerous species of birds grace Majete, including a breeding population of Rock Pratincole that inhabits rocky islands in the Shire River; Pels Fishing Owl in the riparian forest of the river systems; Arnotts’ chat; the White-breasted cuckooshrike and Racket-tailed Rollers.
Majete is one of the outstanding success stories of African conservation. Granted protected status in 1955, it was nonetheless subjected to extensive poaching in the 1980’s and 1990s. But a concerted joint effort since 2003 by the African Parks Network and the Malawi government – including the reintroduction of endangered species – has turned it into a model of sustainable development and biodiversity.
Rejuvenation of the reserve began with law enforcement. Scouts received new equipment and training, and a 100-mile electrified fence was erected around the perimeter to protect local villages form marauding elephant, buffalo and hippo. Elephants in the reserve were captured, darted and collared, and a new GPS mapping and monitoring system allows scouts to record each patrol on a handheld device, noting vital information such as wildlife sightings, water sources and illegal activities.
Infrastructure was improved with the clearing of 150 miles of new roads and the erection of new buildings, notably a Heritage Centre for visitors. Restoring Majete to its former beauty is not merely an exercise in attracting tourists, though: the aim is to benefit the people of Malawi and, in particular, the 130,000 villagers living in local communities in
No comments:
Post a Comment