Mulanje Massif A Beginner’s Guide & Trekking Expeditions

Mulanje Massif A Beginner’s Guide & Trekking Expeditions. The largest manadnock in southern Malawi, Mulanje Massif (also spelled “Mount Mulanje”) rises from the tea-growing Mulanje area and the nearby plains of Chiradzulu, 65 kilometers east of Blantyre. At its peak, Sapitwa, the mountain reaches an elevation of 3,002 meters and measures 13×16 miles or 22×26 km in circumference. At an elevation of 1800-2200m, the mountain is mostly grassland. Not only that, it has the longest rock climb in Africa, Chumbe Peak, among its many summits. In 1859, David Livingstone was the first to see the peak of the mountain. The mountain is too tall, which causes it to obstruct the movement of air at higher altitudes and even the formation of rain clouds.

Many mountain lodges, cared for by the Malawi Mountain Club and the Malawi Forest Department, dot the massif, making it an attractive destination for hikers and climbers. In recent years, the most notable mountain climb on this plateau has been the legendary Sapitwa peak, which was first ascended in 1894. You can get breathtaking views of the Ruo River’s headwaters at the base of the mountain, halfway between Muloza and Lujeri. Here hikers can go off on their journeys, and there are some beautiful ways to get to the one hut perched high on the mountainside. Rock climbers will love this mountain, especially the west face of Chambe, which is more than 1,700 meters high and the longest continuous wall in all of Africa. The various huts are connected by a vast network of paths, and the itineraries are selected based on the trip’s objectives. Hiking through forests, hiking along mountain plains, and climbing to the summit of Sapitwa are the three most common ways to get there. Only upon arrival in Likabula can the cottages be reserved. Also, be aware that the climb to the plateau on the first day of the Mulanje walk is quite steep and difficult.