The Southern Africa Tour

Tour Report Part 4.

The Southern Africa Tour.

May 2025.

Mount Mulanje, Malawi.

The tour with clients Julie and Ally continued. After a couple of relaxed nights at Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi, we proceeded on a half day drive to Malawi's famous Mount Mulanje. Driving through the African countryside is always fascinating, even for me as a local who has done dozens of road trips, every trip throws up something new. In this case it was the huge amounts of sugar cane being sold everywhere along the highways!

We arrived in Mulanje and stayed overnight at CCAP Likhubula House. Our activity partners Mulanje Adventures sent over lead guide Yamikani ( in the red tshirt in the photos), for a pre tour briefing.

Next morning, after breakfast, our hike began! I had never hiked a mountain before, and was wasn't sure whether to join in, but with encouragement from Julie and Ally, I joined in. With Yamikani leading the way, supported by a team of assistant guides, porters, and a chef, we made it from CCAP Likhubula House to Chisepu Hut, in little more than 10 hours. On a personal level, this was the longest and hardest excursion I have ever done. But looking back, it was totally worth it!

The night at Chisepu Hut was rainy and windy, and this continued into the next day. As a result, we were stuck on the mountain for the whole day, not being able to go up to the summit nor down to the base. After another rainy and windy night, the next morning a window of opportunity availed itself when the weather cleared up a bit. We decided to play it safe and return to the base. This time it took about 9 hours.

So, we never made it to the summit, but the experience itself was amazing. The photos can't describe how beautiful the scenery actually is. Looks like we will have to come back one day and reach the summit.

Many thanks to our partners @mulanjeadventures for arranging and leading the hike. Thanks also to lead guide Yamikani for keeping our team safe, and a very special thanks to assistant guide Stewart and porter Lewis for their patience with me as we trailed the main group (I was the slow one :-)