Singita Pamushana

a beautiful private wildlife reserve

Singita Pamushana Lodge is located in the Gonarezhou area of southeast Zimbabwe.

The lodge is centred on a thatched main building, leading out to two swimming pools.

It might be worth mentioning that the two swimming pools are heated, which is quite important during the May-Aug season when it can get quite cold at night.

Rooms

Guest accommodation at Singita Pamushana Lodge is in eight suites and one larger villa, all with air-conditioning, private plunge pools and impressive views over the lake …

One Bedroom Suites : x4 : The smallest of the room types, these one bedroom suites are nonetheless large and very comfortable, suitable for two guests and with a private plunge pool.

Regular Two Bedroom Suite : x1 : This regular sized two bedroom suite is suitable for a family of two adults and two children who are happy to share one bathroom. It also has a private plunge pool.

Large Two Bedroom Suite : x2 : The larger two bedroom suites have two private bathrooms and are therefore suitable for two couples to share, also with a private plunge pool.

Three Bedroom Suite : x1 : The three bedroom suite also shares a single bathroom, so is best suited to a family of two adults and four children, also with a private plunge pool.

Five Bedroom Villa : x1 : The five bedroom villa has private bathrooms in all rooms and is suitable for up to ten guests, it could even be used for five couples, also with a private infinity pool. It also has its own kitchen, dining room, living room and nanny room. Guests at the villa also get a private vehicle and guide, host and chef. Meals can be taken privately at the villa or at the main lodge.

Activities

Singita Pamushana Lodge offers the following guided activities …

• vehicle safari
• walking safari
• mountain-biking
• cultural visits
• rock-art
• motorboat safari

Gonarezhou is a long way from other safari areas, which is why it so rarely features in trips.

More experienced Africa travellers may choose to focus the whole of their safari here. High-end guests may charter flights from Mana Pools in the north or Kruger in the south.

The usual stay duration in the Gonarezhou area is 4-7 nights.

Seasonality

Safari in Gonarezhou is very seasonal and careful planning is extremely important.

Early dry season : May-Jun

May-Jun is a period of transition from the hot wet summer to the cool dry winter and is a decent time to visit, before the harshness of the main dry season kicks in. Animals should start to move back towards the permanent water sources, all of which should lead to an increase in sightings. Temperatures can drop during the night, but the days are gorgeous. The majority of camps are significantly discounted during this period.

Dry season : Jul-Sep

The Jul-Sep dry season is the classic time to visit Gonarezhou and is generally the best time for wildlife viewing, with many animals drawn to the water from the dry surrounding areas. During Jul-Aug the cooler temperatures of the preceding season can continue. This is very much the high season in terms of prices and visitor numbers, but vehicle traffic should rarely be an issue.

Hot season : Oct-Dec

The Oct-Dec hot season is the transition period between the peak of the dry season and the start of the rains. Temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high and if rainfall arrives, it brings relief from the high temperatures, but can be heavy and prolonged. Some animals may disperse, causing a marked drop off in sightings The majority of camps are significantly discounted during this period.

Green season : Jan-Apr

Jan-Apr is the main green season when the area receives the most rainfall and temperatures are still elevated. The animals are well fed and there’s lots of babies around. With the wildlife being more dispersed and the long grasses providing extra cover, wildlife viewing can be more difficult, causing a drop off in sightings. It’s the Dec-Feb period which threatens the greatest chance of more cloud and rain, making safari conditions more challenging. The camps are significantly discounted throughout this season, making it a smart time to travel.

Getting there

The Gonarezhou area is usually accessed by scheduled light aircraft flight from Johannesburg into Buffalo Range International Airport.

From the airport, it is a road transfer of around 2 hours to Singita Pamushana Lodge.

Alternatively it is possible to arrive by charter flight from a range of locations including Victoria Falls into Lonestar Airstrip, from where it is a vehicle safari of around 15 minutes.

Gonarezhou is rarely combined with other safari areas