World Lion Day is celebrated annually on the 10th of August! As the lion population thrives in Malawi it is haard to believe that not so long ago there were no lions at all in Majete Wildlife Reserve or beyond.
We were thrilled to have Julz Braavedt back in the South Luangwa Valley last year, after many years, this time working on his own new project which is now complete:
Last year, in the midst of the global pandemic we launched our Safari Dreaming E-book & 2021 Safari Dreaming Calendar with the aim of keeping the African safari dream alive while we waited in anticipation for travel to begin again. The money raised from the sale of these calendars went towards our conservation and community initiatives that were struggling during the international tourism downturn.
The Hippo King
From the makers of the award winning documentary Leopard Legacy comes the Hippo King - a compelling life story of a hippo, from birth to adulthood.
This July we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mkulumadzi Lodge!
Join us for a virtual celebration over the next month as we take a walk back in time, re-visiting the special moments and milestones of Mkulumadzi Lodge.
While we wait with bated breath for the return of long-haul travel, we are thrilled to be able to share a bit of Africa with you and your clients virtually through the latest documentary coming straight out of South Luangwa National Park entitled Leopard Legacy!
Malawi has an incredible story to share on its conservation success stories and our new package, Focus on Conservation gives our guests an insight into it!
Decades of lawlessness and poaching had eradicated the majority of Malawis wildlife so much so that by the early 1990s, species such as black rhino and cheetah had disappeared and all hope was lost for these species to ever be seen in the wild again.
Enjoy a quick glimpse into the Emerald Season with Robin Pope Safaris…
An extremely underrated time of year (November - April) which has an incredible mix of offerings – dramatic skies, increased numbers of bird species, great game, plenty of new growth (both game & vegetation) and so much more!
With the Christmas just around the corner, is your festive season getaway booked already? Why not make it a Green Christmas this year and venture out to Malawi for a fabulous bush & beach holiday complete with all the festive cheer! Wehave put together a fabulous Christmas package to make the most of this special time of year, the green season.
Are you a conservationist at heart...? Here is a unique opportunity to spend a week in the 'Warm Heart of Africa', Malawi gaining insights to African Parks' exceptional work.
Malawi has an incredible story to share with the world on various conservation success stories that have been achieved thus far, and lots more to come.
Robin Pope Safaris properties now have full profiles on Wetu. We trust those making use of Wetu will find this development beneficial in planning itineraries across Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
With the reopening of Shoebill Island Camp under African Parks, we are delighted to once again be able to offer our popular Shoebill Safari!
What is so special about a Shoebill? These impressively leggy birds can grow up to 1.5 metres, have extremely powerful beaks (that happen to look like a shoe), have a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres and are currently only found in the wild in just 5 countries.
Get some inspiration on what you can suggest and set up for your clients in the year ahead across Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. These are sample packages which come with incredible savings as well – look out for these on the rate sheet.
Nett rate sheets are available off our Agents’ Page as usual.
There are a few wildlife phenomena that really stand out as extraordinary events. The wildebeest migration in East Africa, the monarch butterflies arriving in Mexico come to mind. Well this is amongst those top events in the wildlife calendar. Up to ten million "straw-coloured fruit bats" converge upon Kasanka National Park as the fruits of a local tree ripen. These bats roost in a specific woodland and literally cover the trunks of the trees like thick icing. Then at sunset they all take off and fly out to forage. The sky is thick with bats.
We are offering a brief look into our landscapes, game, properties and experiences across Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe via short clips.These have been produced by award-winning documentary-makers, Will and Lianne Steenkamp, producers of the much-loved Safari Diaries.
Enjoy the scenic tours and be inspired:
In April 2018 Kuthengo Camp officially opened its ‘doors’ for business and in honour of the camps' 1 year anniversary, Robin Pope Safaris have put together an exciting package which explores 2 of Malawi’s most popular and diverse game parks:
Majete Wildlife Reserve - currently the only official Big 5 game park in Malawi.
Liwonde National Park - in addition to having 4 of the Big 5 present, it is also the only park in Malawi that is home to a cheetah population.
Long regarded as one of the best wilderness experiences of the South Luangwa National Park, our Mobile Walking Safaris have been operating for over 25 years, offering guests an unforgettable journey off the beaten track.
Why go on a Mobile Walking Safari?
• Walking in remote, untouched areas of the park.
• A highly experienced and passionate team.
Always after off the beaten track experiences, Robin Pope Safaris are running this safari exclusively during the month of April to give a different dimension to bush camping when the Luangwa Valley is lush, green and at its most dramatic. Phenomenal birding, beautiful vistas and game viewing during what is usually an overlooked and underrated time of year.
The safari is a combination of two fixed camps with an overnight bush camping that will make for an exceptional safari and the opportunity to see the Luangwa Valley in all it's emerald glory.
Recent wild dog conservation success in the Luangwa Valley has it estimated to now have the largest population of wild dogs in the whole of Zambia. Despite being one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores, wild dogs (also fondly known as the painted wolf) in and around the South Luangwa National Park have enjoyed several years of increasing numbers, and there are now estimated to be approximately 350 adults and yearlings living in the Luangwa Valley.
You have probably heard the proverb "Two dogs fight for a bone, and a third runs away with it."
In this next Safari Diaries we see how it literally happens when a wild dog pack squabbles over the last remains of their kill before hyenas arrive…
Watch the battle unfold here: https://bit.ly/2D72b02
Subscribe to our channel and never miss your 60 seconds escape to Africa!
Looking for a 'fresh' safari to kick start the year... Our River Journeys is just what you need!
The Luangwa River is one of the last remaining major rivers in Africa, and even in the world, that has not been damned for hydropower.
River Journeys with Robin Pope Safaris
Looking ahead into 2019 and need some inspiration for first quarter of the year? Our River Journeys safari is the perfect way to experience the Luangwa during the most underrated time of the year, the Emerald Season.
Zimbabwe has been named one of the most beautiful countries on the continent and it certainly lives up to that in spectacular style.
Explore three of Zimbabwe’s top regions with Robin Pope Safaris! An 8-night package in three exclusive safari camps:
3 nights at The Hide Safari Camp in Hwange National Park,
2 nights at Changa Safari Camp on Lake Kariba in Matusadona National Park,
3 nights at John’s Camp in World Heritage site Mana Pools.
Counting down to the festive season… Make it a green one this year and venture out to Southern Africa.
What to expect:
A period of revitalization… plenty of new growth, dramatic skies, vibrant colours (the most outstanding being the emerald green! – with the purples, pinks and yellows of new flowers sprouting through).
Influx of migratory birds with spirals of migrating storks, cuckoos and other “specials” like the African pitta.
Our 2019 property rates are now available, and your applicable net rates can be downloaded off our agents page.
We have frozen most of our rates into 2019, where we have adjusted rates a minimal increase of no more than 8% has been applied.
Pumulani turns 10!
This June marked Pumulani Lodge’s 10th anniversary! And what a wonderful ten years it has been. As Pumulani enters the double digits, we look back at a few fond memories and interesting facts over the decade:
We are thrilled to announce the opening of Kuthengo Camp in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Meaning "the wild" or "the bush" Kuthengo is located among fever trees on a large open plain along the spectacular Shire River.
Ton de Rooy, the Owner/Director of Robin Pope Safaris will be at ITB this year and would love to fill you in on all that has been going on with RPS.
We have exciting developments to share, from John's Camp's first year of operation to a brand new camp in Liwonde, Malawi - Kuthengo Camp.
Catch up with Ton at ITB for all this and more!
Escape to Africa every Monday with Robin Pope Safaris. In each of our NEW 60 second Safari Diaries videos, you're taken along on safari through the Zambian, Zimbabwean and Malawian wilderness.
Watch the official 2018 trailer here
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for your weekly dose of the wildly wonderful world of the African bush!
New videos shared every Monday.