Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Also good for information is the Mulanje Infocentre ( Click here ; speak to Richard),
based at Chitakale Trading Centre, on the corner of Phalombe Rd. It's set up to give trav-
ellers all pertinent information about hiking on the mountain and carries a good selection
of books and maps. It rents out sleeping bags (per day MK800), and tents (eight-man/two-
man per day MK2500/1500), and can also arrange mountain guides and porters. Tours to
the nearby Dziwe la Nkhalamba waterfall (MK2500) and to the Lujeri and Mulli Brothers
tea estates (per person US$25) are also arranged.
There have long been plans to develop rock climbing and abseiling tours on the moun-
tain in the near future, but currently there's a shortage of gear. Contact the Mountain
Club of Malawi ( 01-821269; www.mcm.org.mw ) to get more information on joining
its organisation and hooking up with other climbers.
There is nowhere to buy food on Mt Mulanje so you must carry all you need. At
Likhubula there's a small market, but you're better off getting supplies at Chitakale,
which has shops, stalls and a small supermarket, or in Blantyre.
Dangers & Annoyances
Hikers should remember that Mulanje is a big mountain with notoriously unpredictable
weather. After periods of heavy rain, streams can become swollen and impassable - do
not try to cross them! Wait until the flood subsides or adjust your route to cross in safety
further upstream. Also, be aware that much of the mountain's granite surface can become
very slippery and dangerous when wet. Even during the dry season, it's not uncommon to
get rain, cold winds and thick mists, which make it easy to get lost. Between May and
August, periods of low cloud and drizzle (called chiperone ) can last several days, and
temperatures drop below freezing. Always carry a map, a compass and warm and water-
proof clothing should the weather change, or you risk suffering from severe exposure.
Never set out on a climb alone and always tell someone where you're going and when you
plan to return.
Getting There & Away
There are bus services that run between Blantyre and Mulanje town. The dirt road to
Likhubula turns off the main sealed Blantyre-Mulanje road at Chitakale, about 2km west
of the centre of Mulanje town - follow the signpost to Phalombe. If you're coming from
Blantyre on the bus, ask to be dropped at Chitakale. From here, irregular matola run to
Likhubula (MK300). If you're in a group, you can hire the whole matola to Likhubula for
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