Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
shrouded in a cotton-wool haze, and its highest peaks burst through the cloud to touch the
heavens.
Mulanje measures about 30km from west to east and 25km from north to south, with an
area of at least 600 sq km. On its northeastern corner is the outlier Mchese Mountain, sep-
arated from the main massif by the Fort Lister Gap. The massif is composed of several
bowl-shaped river basins, separated by rocky peaks and ridges. The highest peak is Sapit-
wa (3001m), the highest point in Malawi and in all Southern Africa north of the Drakens-
berg. There are other peaks on the massif above 2500m and you can reach most of the
summits without technical climbing.
Of particular note is the endemic Mulanje cedar, which can grow up to 40m high.
There's plenty of wildlife on the mountain too - klipspringers, vervet monkeys and rock
hyraxes are all seen regularly, and birdlife includes black eagles, buzzards and kestrels.
Some people come to the base of the mountain just for a day visit, but the stunning
scenery, easy access, clear paths and well-maintained huts make Mulanje a fine hiking
area and many travellers spend at least three days here.
MALAWI'S ADVENTURE SPORT
Taking place July each year, the
Mt Mulanje Porters' Race
follows a gruelling, rocky route over the country's
highest peak. When it started more than 10 years ago it was only open to porters and guides, but these days any-
one can take part. Starting at the
Likhubula Forestry Office
Offline map
, participants run up 25km of rugged
terrain to the Chambe and Lichenya Plateaus and back, reaching 2500m above sea level at the highest point. If
you think you can handle it, see
www.mountmulanje.org.mw
. Fast runners can expect to finish in around three
hours. We recommend you arrive in Mulanje at least a day or two before the race to acclimatise to the elevation.
GUIDEBOOKS & MAPS
The
Guide to Mulanje Massif,
by Frank Eastwood, has information on ascent routes and
main peaks plus a large section on rock climbing, but nothing on the routes between huts.
If you need detailed maps, the Department of Surveys prints a map of the mountain at
1:40,000, which shows most of the paths and huts. The 1:30,000
Tourist Map of Mulanje
covers a similar area, overprinted with extra information for hikers. Both these maps cost
MK650 and are usually available from the
Department of Surveys Map Sales Offices
in
Lilongwe and Blantyre, but stocks occasionally run dry.
