Climb Mount Mulanje, The Highest Mountain In Central Africa

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Mount Mulanje, which should actually be referred to as the Mulanje Massif, is located in southern Malawi near the city of Blantyre. By massif, we refer to a block of the earth’s crust bounded by faults and shifted to form peaks of a mountain range. Mount Mulanje rises sharply from the surrounding plains of Chiradzulu, and the tea-growing Mulanje district.

Much of the Massif consists of rolling grassland at elevations of 1800-2200m, intersected by deep forested ravines. It has many individual peaks reaching heights of over 2500m, including Chambe Peak, the West Face of which is the longest rock climb and the Sapitwa Peak at 3,002m making it the highest point not only on the Massif but in Central Africa as well. Sapitwa peak was first climbed in 1894, and is now the most popular climb on the plateau.

The Massif is popular for hiking and climbing, and has a couple of mountain huts scattered across it. There are eight of these huts which are all very basic with no beds, lighting or running water. They however do have some basic furniture and a fireplace available for use by the hikers. It should be noted that the use of these facilities is not exclusive and that all food and mattresses, sleeping bags etc. must be carried up the mountain.

There are about six routes for tackling Mount Mulanje. Hikers will need to spend at least 3 nights on the massif to explore enough of it. There are lots of paths linking the huts and peaks and normally it takes between 3 and 6 hours to get between them. What most hikers are advised to do is to leave their supplies at the hut once they arrive and walk out to the peaks or valleys nearby in the afternoons to take in the massif and all its brilliance.

A word of caution, if you want to hike Mulanje you must be reasonably fit. Although most climbs are non-technical and within the scope of any reasonably fit individual, all walking until you reach the plateau is steep and tiring. In spite of the caution above, it is all in all a worthwhile experience.