Whether you are an experienced trekker or an occasional hiker; whether you are travelling solo, or in a group, if would like to spend time exploring Mount Mulanje or the surrounding area, let’s begin by discussing your requirements.
Each walk or hike will be at a comfortable pace for your level of fitness, and will allow for rest stops and time to enjoy the forest and views of the mountain and its surroundings.
I can arrange half day or day long guided walks at low levels in the forest and on the Skyline trail for example. We can go to waterfalls and to pools where you can swim, and to viewpoints where you can see the immense wall of the mountain above, or the wide plain that spreads for many miles below.
If you would like to explore more widely or climb higher on the mountain, I can arrange longer hikes with overnight stays in mountain huts. You can spend several days exploring some of the many plateaus and peaks of the massif, or climb with me to the summit of Sapitwa – at 3002 metres, it is the highest peak in Malawi.
I can arrange an inclusive “package” for you, suitable for the length of your hike. I can arrange the payment of trail fees1 and overnight accommodation in the mountain huts2. Where appropriate, I will arrange for porters to carry food, clothing and bedding on the longer hikes, and a cook to prepare meals.
You will find some example hikes with the current charges for inclusive packages below.
1. Half day hike (example)
Starting from CCAP Likhubula House, we can walk to Likhubula Falls and back. With time to swim in the pools and have a picnic and admire the views on the way down, this may take up 3-4 hours.
Cost
Catered (food and water provided): $50 per person
Uncatered (clients bring their own food and water): $25 per person.
Not included: transport to and from the trail head, car parking fees, tips.
2. One day hike (example)
Set off from Likhubula on the Skyline Path to Chambe Hut (3-4 hours). Enjoy the views from the plateau then descend on the Chapaluka Path, stopping at the Likhubula Falls and Dziwe la Nkalamba, and other viewpoints on the way down (3-4 hours).
Cost (inclusive package)
$80 per person.
This includes guiding services, trail fee payment, water and lunch.
Not included: transport to and from the trail head, car parking fees, tips.
3. Three day hike to Sapitwa (example)
Day 1: Set off on the Likulezi Path through the forest to Thuchila Hut. Around 4-5 hours.
Day 2: Climb to the summit of Sapitwa. (About 5 hours) Please note – this is a challenging hike. Descend to Chisepo Hut. (About 2 hours).
Day 3: Descend on the Chapaluka Path to Likhubula, stopping at Likhubula Falls and Dziwe la Nkalamba, and other viewpoints on the way down. Around 5 hours.
Cost (inclusive package)
$400 for two people (2 nights, 3 days).
This includes the services of guide, porter and cook; payment of the trail fee and mountain hut fees; and sleeping bag hire.
Not included: transport to the trail head, car parking fees, tips.
Other hikes . . .
I can also offer a two day hike (with one overnight stay in a mountain hut) – or arrange for longer hikes. Please get in touch via my contact page to discuss other options.
Prices will vary, depending on the length of the walk and what is required. Here is a breakdown of the main costs likely to be involved:
- Trail fee: $5 (USD) per person per day paid to Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) at Likhubula Forest Office.
- Guide fee: $25 (USD) per person per day
- Porter fee: $20 (USD) per person per day
- Cook fee: $25 (USD) per day
- Mountain hut fee: $5 (USD) per person per night paid to MMCT at Likhubula Forest Office.
Not included: transport to and from the trail head, car parking fees, tips.
A note about tips
It is usual to tip your guide, porter and cook. Also the hut watchman (if you spend a night or more on the mountain) and car park attendant (if you bring your own vehicle to the starting point of your walk).
Tips are much appreciated and help not only the recipient but the local economy in which wages are low and may also be irregular. $1-5 USD/1000-5000MWK
Other visits and experiences
If you would like to go on a village tour, a fishing trip, or visit one of the tea plantations at the base of the mountain, I can arrange any or all of these.
And if you would like to go further afield, on a safari in a national park or game reserve or to Lake Malawi, I can arrange this for you too.
Please get in touch via my contact page to discuss what you would like to do, ask questions, or book a hike or other visit with me!
Featured image
Peaks of Mount Mulanje
Footnotes
- Trail fees due to be paid by hikers on the mountain are go directly towards forest conservation; trail upkeep and mountain hut maintenance; the co-ordination of mountain rescue; and to supporting local communities around the massif. ↩︎
- Mountain huts are operated by the Department of Forestry with support from the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) and the Mountain Club of Malawi (MCM)The huts have watchmen who bring water and firewood for those staying overnight. They are equipped with mattresses, basic cooking facilites and outdoor latrines ↩︎
