MALAWI, GALLERY Malawi hiking Mulanje Exploring magic Mulanje Mountain, highest peak in TREKKING Southern Africa, the island in the sky. EXPEDITION 10 days with possibility of extension The calculation of the days excludes flights INDEX TRAVEL 2 Suggested season: from April to MEANS OF TRANSPORT AND November ACCOMMODATION 3 HIKE GUIDE 4 WHAT WE WILL SEE TRAVEL PROGRAMME 6 It is called magic mountain and island in the sky. It seems that J. R.R. Tolkien began writing about the fantastic world of the Middle-Earth FEE 7 described in The Hobbit, soon after a long journey in Malawi which included Mount Mulanje and its magical atmosphere. TRAVEL TIPS 8 We do not find it hard to believe: Mulanje is a place of inspiration, where you can feel the EQUIPMENT 9 uniqueness of this land. Maybe it is because of the many legends that inhabit the oral traditions of mysterious spirits, including Napolo, the creator of wind and storms, maybe ECO-TOURISM 10 because of its unique location that places it in the world network as a Planet Biosphere Reserve, maybe because of its slopes, covered with kilometers of tea hills TERMS AND CONDITIONS 11 that make the scene even more dreamy. Landscapes open in a spectacular way in huge and mild hills covered with the _________ unblemished green mantle of tea. Walking in the immense spaces of the plantations we will have the chance to meet the tea workers, who patiently pick up the young leaves on top of the plants, leaf after leaf, till they fill the big baskets they carry on their back. Exploring the island in the sky: a challenge between waterfalls, peaks and clouds to reach Sapitwa at 3,002 meters, on the summit of Southern Africa, in the heart of Malawi. DURATION: 10 days. Possibility of extensions on the beautiful beaches of Lake Malawi. © Copyright AFRICAWILDTRUCK Ltd. ADVENTURE & PHOTO TRAVEL TOUR OPERATOR 1 Follow us www.africawildtruck.com | [email protected] I +265995941542 Malawi hiking Mulanje Exploring magic Mulanje Mountain, highest peak in Southern Africa, the island in the sky. Suggested season: from April to November TRAVEL: About sixty kilometers from the city of Blantyre, in the south of Malawi, the Mulanje Massif, called the island in the sky in Chichewa, a large and spectacular granite mountain of about 650km2 stands solitary. The average altitude is of about 2,000 meters and at least a dozen peaks above 2,500 meters populate this giant who has the distinction of being the highest mountain in southern Africa, arriving, with the Sapitwa peak, to an altitude of 3,002m. Mount Mulanje, protected within the Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve, at its base is located at an average altitude of about 650m and it is an area completely covered with the mantle of green tea and bamboo forests or unique plants that are only found here (there are at least 500) as the precious, famous and vulnerable Mulanje cedar, Widdringtonia whytei and endemic plants that ensures that here the highest biodiversity of flora thoroughout Malawi has been preserved. The diversity of ferns is incredible with over 100 species recorded in forest and new species that have yet to be classified. Endemic is also the chameleon Chamaeleo mlanjensis, two species of gecko Lygodactylus rex and L. Bonsi and other frogs. Among the 66 species of mammals, including baboons, monkeys and small antelopes, hyenas, leopards - although difficult to spot - , Mount Mulanje is the only place in Malawi where the rodent Aethomys namaquensis has been found. Mount Mulanje is also important for butterflies with a presence no fewer than 233 species, with at least three endemism: Charaxes margaretae, Cymothoe melanjae and Baliochila nyasae. It is also included in IBA sites (Important Bird Areas) with about 300 species of birds recorded and some vulnerable species such as the White-winged Apalis Apale chariessa or Alete of Tyholo Alethe choloensis and thrushes spotted Zoothera guttata, both threatened. 22 of the 56 species of birds living in the system formed from the Afromountane archipelago Usambara mountain / Mount Mulanje breed on Mount Mulanje. Let's not forget that tea and tobacco are essential resources for Malawi, whose economy almost completely depends on the cultivation of these two products. The first tea plantations were introduced in Africa at the end of the XIX century right in Malawi; landscapes open in a spectacular way in huge and mild hills covered with the unblemished green mantle of tea. Walking between the wide spaces in the plantations we will have the chance to meet the tea workers, who patiently pick up the young leaves on top of the plats, leaf after leaf, till they fill the big baskets they carry on their back. The number of legends, myths with the presence of spirits around the perception of Mount Mulanje is not present in any other place in Malawi and many of these are kept in secret in the oral tradition: there is still nowadays much to discover. One possible explanation for this is that the Batwa, the ancient inhabitants of the mountain, are remembered in the form of spirits. There are spirits in particular inside the trees, some of which are really their houses. While walking on the mountain we will tell you some incredible legends! From AfricaWildTruck headquarters, at the foot of the mountain, between Lujeri and Muloza, there are some of the most incredible views on the falls of the head of the Ruo river and from here depart some of the most scenic routes to reach the 11 huts present on the plateau, well- connected to each other through really many mountain paths with travel times ranging from three to six hours, with the possibility of being always on the move on the mountain for even a month: a full amount of oxygen and new energy. The difficulties for the excursions, ranging from moderate (T2) and possible for midlevel walkers being at a moderate altitude and still on good paths with a number of climbs and descents rather demanding (T3) for walkers with a little training and a bit rough. Away from tourism, away from the most (and sometimes even the least) frequented circuits, notwithstanding the moving beauties of its landscapes, its warm and incredibly friendly people, its kilometers of untouched golden-sand beaches, Malawi is still a country not yet discovered by tourism and because of this even more fascinating. © Copyright AFRICAWILDTRUCK Ltd. ADVENTURE & PHOTO TRAVEL TOUR OPERATOR 2 Follow us www.africawildtruck.com | [email protected] I +265995941542 MEANS OF TRANSPORT The only distances covered by jeep will be those to reach Africa Wild Truck headquarters, from and to the airport of Blantyre. We will walk in contact with nature, on the highest mountain in southern Africa, passing through the huts of the plateau. A travel that still today is similar to the one made by David Livingstone. GUIDES Our professional guides have been selected in the field during our trekking expeditions; they stand out for their vey high preparation, experience and reliability and are among the offical guides of the Tourism Board. They are local guides we have chosen with attention following an idea of travel sustainibility and social commitment, to guarantee deeper experiences to the traveler giving benefits to the local communities. ACCOMMODATIONS In Mulanje, at the base of the mountain, we'll spend the nights in a pleasant colonial house, Africa Wild Truck's headquarters, in the area of the Ruo river. We'll spend the nights on the mountain in basic but comfortable mountain huts, equipped with water and wood. Mountain equipment (mattresses, tents and camp kitchen will always be at disposal). The accommodations have been chosen with care following an idea of territory conservation and travel sustainability, preferring positions in close contact with nature. To have the list of the lodges and camp-sites contact us! PERIOD Temperatures widely depend on season, altitudes and latitudes. Here by side (download the .pdf) an indicative table of the average temperatures in the AVERAGE FEBRUARY JULY NOVEMBE differetent seasons. The hottest month is November, the coolest June/July. The TEMPERAT R dry season runs from April/May to November/December, period that we URES °C suggest for trekking expeditions. The rainy season usually runs from December to March/April. Contact us to have further information about the current season, not all years are the same! Blantyre and at min 18 - max min 7 - max min 25 max ROADS the foot of the 27 23 35 mountain On the mountain excursion difficulty ranges from moderate (T2) and possible for middle-level walkers since it is at a moderate altitude and on good paths with some demanding rises and slopes (T3) for walkers quite trained and on rugged paths/ground. at 2500 m min 12 - max min 1 max 20 min 18 max 23 28 © Copyright AFRICAWILDTRUCK Ltd. ADVENTURE & PHOTO TRAVEL TOUR OPERATOR 3 Follow us www.africawildtruck.com | [email protected] I +265995941542 Malawi hiking Mulanje Exploring magic Mulanje Mountain, highest peak in Southern Africa, the island in the sky. TREKKING/HIKING GUIDE Trekking and hiking on Mount Mulanje is one of the most striking and fascinating experiences you may have in Malawi and generally in Africa. Walking in contact with nature, on the highest mountain in southern Africa, passing through the huts on the plateau, in a travel that still today is similar to that of David Livingstone. Befriended by a professional guide and, if you want, a carrier, we will explore an area of the forest reserve made up of traces, scents, endemic plants, birds and mammals like antelopes or small rodents and endless cues that only nature can offer.