For our journey to Zimbabwe, our closing vacation spot was Singita Pamushana Lodge. Singita is understood for providing a few of Africa’s highest high quality safari experiences. We took our first safari a number of years again, after we stayed at two of the model’s South Africa properties — Singita Boulders Lodge Sabi Sands and Singita Lebombo Lodge Kruger Park.
The Zimbabwe property appears to fly underneath the radar a bit, and isn’t constantly booked out many months prematurely, not like a few of Singita’s different properties. I feel that’s largely as a result of Zimbabwe simply isn’t as mainstream of a safari vacation spot as South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, and so forth.
I’m comfortable to report that Singita Pamushana Lodge is spectacular, and exceeded all expectations we had. It had all of the signature Singita components, from lovely lodging, to pleasant workers, to superb meals and drinks, to pleasant service.
Nevertheless, past that I discovered the sport drives right here to be superb, with countless rhinos, crocodiles, and extra. What additionally makes this lodge so particular is that there are not any different safari lodges within the space, so you actually really feel like you’ve your complete reserve to your self. With the lodge having solely eight suites (plus the Malilangwe Home), that is an intimate expertise.
In case you’re a Singita or luxurious safari fan fan however haven’t been to this property, I can’t advocate it sufficient.
Reserving Singita Pamushana Lodge
Charges are revealed on-line for Singita Pamushana Lodge. As you’d anticipate, a top quality safari isn’t low cost, and charges at this property at present vary from $2,180 to $2,865 per particular person per evening (together with taxes and charges), relying on the season. Underneath most circumstances, there’s additionally no complement for single vacationers.
Whereas Singita lodges are dear, nearly all the things is included together with your fee:
- All meals and drinks, together with premium wines, spirits, liqueurs, and extra
- Two each day recreation drives, in each automobiles and boats
- Return street transfers between Buffalo Vary Airport and the lodge
- Laundry service
The one issues not included are issues like flights to Buffalo Vary Airport, gratuities, spa therapies, and purchases on the reward store. At present flights between Johannesburg and Buffalo Vary Airport are operated twice weekly. These flights at present price $1,380 per particular person roundtrip. Charters are additionally obtainable, and when you’re touring as a bigger group or household, it may not even price extra than simply reserving a seat.
You possibly can e-book a safari instantly with Singita, or can work with a journey advisor, and so they can add additional perks to your keep.
Within the curiosity of full disclosure, Ford acquired a journey advisor fee for the keep at this property. It was nonetheless removed from free, however a reduction over the revealed fee. That was unrelated to me writing something in regards to the property, and all opinions expressed are my very own.
Singita Pamushana Lodge location & transport
Singita Pamushana Lodge is positioned throughout the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, in southeastern Zimbabwe. The reserve consists 130,000 acres of land, so it’s an enormous area. The lodge additionally has an unbelievably good location throughout the reserve — it’s on high of a hill, overlooking a lake, with nature so far as the attention can see.
As you’d anticipate, the distant location additionally signifies that getting right here takes a little bit of effort. At present Federal Airways operates two weekly flights between Johannesburg (JNB) and Buffalo Vary (BFO), masking a distance of simply over 400 miles.
The flight is operated by a Pilatus PC-12, and takes round 1hr45min in every path. From the airport, it’s a roughly 45-minute drive to the lodge. I’ve already reviewed the Federal Airways flight expertise.
Other than needing to time your go to primarily based on the 2 weekly flights, I discovered the method of attending to the lodge to be fairly simple.
Singita Pamushana Lodge suite
At Singita Pamushana Lodge, 4 of the lodging are the bottom “suites,” that are actually large standalone villas with personal swimming pools. The property is unfold out, with tons of lovely timber offering shade. So irrespective of which villa you’re in, you’re assured plenty of privateness.
I couldn’t even inform you what our room quantity was, or if there was one — I don’t suppose the rooms are marked, all of the workers know who’s during which room, and for that matter, we by no means even took a key or locked our doorways.
When you is likely to be in the course of a wildlife reserve, you’re definitely not roughing it right here, and the suite we had did an amazing job of mixing conventional design and a way of place with trendy luxurious.
Upon getting into the suite, we discovered ourselves in the lounge, with a big sitting space, a eating desk with two chairs, a minibar, and a hearth.
The minibar was properly stocked, with all the things from liquor, to wine, to beer, to mushy drinks, to a espresso machine, to a kettle, to snacks. There have been even some advisable cocktails you possibly can put together your self.
In fact the great thing about being on safari is that you simply’re not restricted to what’s within the minibar. If you’d like a cappuccino at 5AM, or a sure bottle of wine or cocktail at 5PM (or the opposite means round), the workers are very happy to accommodate that.
The lounge then flowed into the bed room, by way of a set of stairs. There was a luxurious king dimension mattress, which was turned down nightly with a internet round it.
Behind the bed room was a big closet space. There was additionally a laundry basket, so when you wanted any laundry carried out, you possibly can simply toss it into there.
Previous the bed room was the primary lavatory, that includes double sinks, a soaking tub, a walk-in bathe (each indoor and outside), and a bathroom and bidet.
On the reverse finish of the suite there was a second lavatory, with a sink and bathroom.
The air-con labored flawlessly, significantly better than I’d have anticipated in such a distant location. In the meantime the Wi-Fi labored fairly properly, and I used to be in a position to keep productive. Housekeeping was “invisible,” within the sense that we by no means noticed them, however they refreshed the room a number of occasions per day.
Along with the indoor area, we additionally had a beautiful outside terrace with a eating desk, a number of loungers, and a big plunge pool.
Maybe the most effective a part of the outside area was the view — how gorgeous is that this?!
Singita Pamushana Lodge shared areas
Whereas Singita Pamushana Lodge is on a big plot of land, the lodge’s shared areas are centralized in a single primary space, only a brief stroll from the suites. That is the place you’ll discover reception, a wide range of seating, the pool, the eating space, and the bar.
One of many lovely issues a couple of lodge like that is that you simply really feel like you’ve your individual personal residence. Throughout our keep, two different suites have been occupied, so there have been a complete of six company. Whether or not you’re on the pool, or simply chilling within the shade, you’ll not often see one other visitor.
The lodge has loads of seating when you simply wish to sit round and chill, take pleasure in a drink, or get some work carried out.
The lodge doesn’t have a proper restaurant, however moderately it simply has a wide range of eating choices scattered the realm. Dinner was in a special location each evening, and sometimes they seat events far sufficient aside so that you simply don’t even see anybody else. There’s a tiered eating space the place we had a few of our meals, with an particularly good view.
There’s additionally an area that’s a bit extra coated, although we by no means ate right here, because it doesn’t afford fairly the identical view as the opposite choices.
There’s even an indoor space, within the occasion of inclement climate (or if that’s simply your desire).
On the very fringe of the lodge there’s the bar space. This has some tables and high-top seating, and you may come right here any time for a drink (or snack, or meal, or no matter you’d like… in all probability even a therapeutic massage!). That is additionally the assembly level earlier than all recreation drives.
Whereas the views listed here are nice in the course of the day…
…they pale compared to the dawn views from right here, which we loved each morning previous to our recreation drive. OMG.
Singita Pamushana Lodge pool
In case you need one thing a bit larger than your individual plunge pool, Singita Pamushana Lodge has a central infinity edge pool, proper in the course of the resort. There’s additionally plenty of seating across the pool, do you have to wish to loosen up between recreation drives.
I do know I’m beating a lifeless horse right here, however you may after all take pleasure in any meals, drinks, and so forth., right here as properly. The workers on the lodge continually verify on you, irrespective of the place you might be. The pool can also be fairly attractive at evening.
Singita Pamushana Lodge spa
Singita Pamushana Lodge affords spa therapies at an additional price. You possibly can both have a therapy within the devoted spa facility, or in your individual suite. Beneath you’ll find the spa therapy choices.
So far as pricing goes, you may e-book a 45-minute therapy for $115, a 60-minute therapy for $140, or a 90-minute therapy for $180. The spa facility is its personal standalone constructing, and it has each a primary reception space, plus two therapy rooms.
Ford and I each had massages right here one afternoon, and so they have been unbelievable. I’ve presumably by no means had a greater therapeutic massage.
Singita Pamushana Lodge gymnasium
Safari lodges are by no means going to have epic gyms, although Singita Pamushana Lodge has one of many higher setups I’ve seen for such an intimate lodge. There’s a 24/7 gymnasium constructing that company can use.
The gymnasium has each indoor and outside area, with a number of cardio and energy coaching machines, plus free weights. So for these into figuring out, you should not have any points maintaining together with your routine whereas right here (time allowing — safaris will be jam-packed).
Singita Pamushana Lodge meals & drinks
Safaris are workouts in restraint. You spend hours sitting throughout recreation drives, and then you definitely’re provided an countless quantity of scrumptious meals and drinks. Singita has a versatile eating idea, so you may eat what you need, if you need.
Not solely does the chef accommodate any dietary preferences, however he additionally accommodates all the things out of your schedule to your preferences. No matter you need, no matter hour of the day, take into account it carried out. Let me speak a bit about our typical day in terms of eating.
Earlier than recreation drives every morning, we stopped on the bar for a cup of espresso, starting from an americano to a cappuccino, all of which have been nice.
Then after our recreation drive, we’d have brunch every morning, our solely actual meal earlier than dinner. Our first day we have been offered with a breakfast menu, since I feel the workers assumed we’d be having lunch as properly. However after the primary day after we made it clear that it was simply an excessive amount of meals, we have been as a substitute given a brunch menu, with the choices altering every single day.
Beneath is a pattern breakfast menu.
For breakfast, we had all the things from an açaí bowl, to an oats bowl, to a cheese plate, to an omelet.
For days the place we had brunch, we ordered issues like salmon kebab and crispy potato egg rolls with rooster.
To tide us over till dinner, there was a day tea choice every single day previous to the second recreation drive, with candy and savory choices.
There was additionally a fridge with every kind of drinks and pre-made contemporary snacks in glass jars, which you possibly can assist your self to.
The dinner idea modified nightly, each when it comes to sort of delicacies and presentation. For instance, the primary evening there was a global menu, served as three programs.
The bread and butter choice modified nightly, although (sadly) in every case it was irresistibly scrumptious.
To begin, I had the beetroot salad, whereas Ford had the tomato soup.
Then for mains, I had the gnocchi, whereas Ford had the meat fillet.
For dessert, we break up the coconut yogurt mousse.
One other night, there was Italian delicacies, served household model. My solely grievance is that the portion was means too massive.
One other night, it was Zimbabwean evening, so the meal consisted of conventional meals from the nation, which was enjoyable to strive. They even had dwell leisure from an area household, which I loved immensely (I’m a sucker for any and all dwell music).
Even past the meals and drinks on the lodge, on every recreation drive there was a cease to take pleasure in a drink. Within the mornings, that consisted of espresso with biscuits and cookies, whereas within the afternoons it consisted of gin & tonics with nuts, chips, and extra.
Singita Pamushana Lodge recreation drives
Singita Pamushana Lodge company usually do two recreation drives each day. The schedule varies primarily based on the time of yr, and the way lengthy the day is. We have been visiting in late summer season, so the times have been fairly lengthy. Our morning recreation drives usually went from round 6AM till 10AM, whereas our afternoon recreation drives went from round 3:30PM till 6:30PM. Let’s discuss this in a bit extra element, and about what makes Singita, and Malilangwe Reserve, particular.
Initially, when potential, Singita privatizes recreation drives. There have been three pairs of company, and every received their very own automobile, information, and spotter. We spent our complete journey with our information Nick and our spotter Robert, and we couldn’t have requested for higher folks.
They have been enjoyable, knowledgable, and had a ardour for what they have been doing. I additionally liked having the ability to ask them about life in Zimbabwe (outdoors of the character reserve), because it’s one thing you don’t in any other case hear a lot about within the West.
Malilangwe Reserve is fairly nice as a Singita visitor, as a result of you’ve your complete space to your self. There are some parks which have many safari lodges, and there’s nothing incorrect with that, but it surely’s fairly cool to not come throughout every other autos (other than the anti-poaching rangers).
You’ll discover most of the identical animals as at different reserves within the area, like lions, wild canines, elephants, zebras, and extra.
One particular factor about Malilangwe Reserve is what number of rhinos there are. Different nature reserves barely have any, whereas right here you’ll discover over 400 of them. This included each black and white rhinos, and getting up shut with them was fairly thrilling (and Robert is kind of a courageous man for sitting the place he’s whereas a rhino approached us).
One different superb factor about Malilangwe Reserve is how a lot water there may be, as there’s an enormous lake and reservoir. This meant there weren’t simply recreation drives, but additionally recreation… properly, what do you name it if you search for animals by boat?
A few days we glided by boat, and noticed all the things from a terrifying variety of crocodiles, to hippos, to elephants crossing the lake.
One other day we tried our hand at fishing, which was a primary of me. I discovered an necessary lesson — I’m not good at fishing. Poor Nick and Robert spent your complete time simply untangling our strains and “serving to” us (in different phrases, handing us the rods when there was a chunk, and giving us all of the credit score). 😉
Singita Pamushana Lodge service
I can’t say sufficient good issues in regards to the service at Singita Pamushana Lodge, not that this could come as a lot of a shock. I feel you’d anticipate excessive requirements from a lodge with simply six company and a numerous variety of staff, however regardless of that, Singita manages to positively shock.
For one, Signita hires nice, variety, outgoing folks, who act as unbelievable hosts. From the lodge supervisor (Valerie), to our information and spotter (Nick and Robert), to our butler (Sifundo), to the bartenders, to the chef, each single particular person we interacted with went above and past to make our keep particular.
No request is an excessive amount of, and you actually really feel such as you’re in your house, besides you don’t should do something your self. And even if you’re already having a tremendous time, they handle to nonetheless one way or the other exceed expectations.
For instance, one afternoon we had a tremendous boat tour, and on our means again to the lodge, we pulled over, and so they had a non-public bar reception for us to benefit from the sundown. How particular is that this?
It’s not simply the thought, but additionally the sensible coordination. We had handed the precise level the place this was arrange about quarter-hour earlier, and there was nothing. So throughout that point, workers from the lodge got here to set this up, with out us even noticing.
One other morning, our recreation drive didn’t finish as deliberate, however moderately the lodge had arrange a tremendous breakfast in the course of the reserve for all of us. Every couple loved breakfast with their information and spotter, in order that was a cool expertise.
Clearly Singita properties are (very) costly, however they actually minimize no corners with the visitor expertise. At each alternative they will, the workers attempt to exceed expectations.
Backside line
I had excessive expectations coming into our keep at Singita Pamushana Lodge in Zimbabwe, however regardless of that, Singita managed to impress. It is a attractive lodge with a panoramic setting, lovely lodging, nice workers, a singular recreation drive expertise, and attractive meals and drinks.
Admittedly it’s not low cost, however when you’re into luxurious safaris, I can’t advocate this sufficient. Personally I loved this each bit as a lot as the 2 Singita safari lodges we visited in South Africa a number of years again (although don’t ask me to select!).
Even when this property is outdoors your funds, I extremely advocate doing a safari of some kind when you can. It’s not like every other form of journey you may take, and having the ability to get so near nature actually provides you a brand new appreciation for the world, its magnificence, and the cycle of life.
What’s your tackle Singita Pamushana Lodge in Zimbabwe?
