Dorothy Takes on Mount Mulanje

DD resting atop Chambe plateau

Apart from being a way to disconnect from the chaos of everyday life, hiking is also an unparalleled approach to discover the outdoors, marvel at breath-taking landscapes, inhale pure air, and exercise. Nevertheless, if you are a novice mountain hiker planning to conquer Mulanje, like I was merely a few months ago, the whole process may seem overwhelming – where to begin? With innumerable trails and terrains to choose from, it's not easy to have a clear idea of what to expect. Thankfully, I'm here to recount my personal experience of going on a Mulanje trek, the valuable lessons I gathered, and the unforgettable memories that I created. My goal is to spark your curiosity and encourage you to venture outside your comfort zone and plan your own hiking expedition, with the help of Orbis DMC, of course.

My motivation to explore hiking on Mulanje comes from my boss, a true mountain enthusiast. I've always admired his love for nature. One day, he shared some photographs of himself during one of his hiking escapades that made me rethink my usual choice of vacationing at the beach. In the past, walking and climbing were already part of my daily routine. Why would I enjoy them for leisure now when I used to dread going to school for the same reason? I pondered on this for a long time, but I'll save that story for another day.

When I joined the team at Orbis DMC, I never realised that I was also signing up for an adventure. A group of ten ladies from the UK and the US planned a ten-day adrenaline-fueled challenge in Malawi, which included hiking. Coincidentally, I had been working out intensely for that exact week. Perhaps my ancestors gave me a heads up about what was coming. Before I knew it, I found myself on a chilly morning, riding on the "happy bus," as the ladies fondly called it, heading to Mulanje.

The team ascends Mount Mulanje using the Skyline path

Trust me; hiking as part of a mountain team is tenfold harder than doing it alone. I knew I couldn't show any sign of tiredness, especially with clients around. How would it look if I, the emotional support for the clients, needed support from them? I refused to listen to the little voices inside my head that urged me to quit, fake an illness, or join the group that chose to branch off to the nearest hut and wait for the rest of us to catch up the next day. My boss always said that hiking is all about the mindset and not the physicality, and he was right. I decided to summon my inner strength and accept the challenge fearlessly.

The hike starts with a steep climb from Likhubula valley, via the fairly-shaded Skyline path with amazing backdrop views of the valley as you ascend. This is where you start to question your fitness levels and whether or not this was a good idea in the first place. As soon as this 4 hour climb of the Skyline is done, the Chambe pleteau offers a relief to the strained legs. From there, you have an undulating trek before one final hard climb to Chisepo Hut.

The day my boss recommended getting proper hiking shoes is still etched in my memory. I remember thinking how difficult can it be? Little did I know that his advice would prove to be a lifesaver. If you're planning on going for a hike, take heed of my boss's advice. I had not anticipated the terrain to be so challenging, it was steeper than I had anticipated. At one point, I just wanted to scream - that's how difficult it was. The last five hours of our hike, no one spoke to anyone. We only wished to reach the hut. As a matter of fact, I didn't even bother taking videos or photos anymore as it would only cause more fury.

Our clients pose with our incredible Mountain team outside Chisepo Hut

When we finally saw the hut in the distance, it was a source of joy. We could finally relax, and there was less pressure on our mountain team - there was no need to constantly ask 'are we there yet?' We had exhausted all our stories. The mountain guide may have ‘lied’ about the proximity of the hut, but we made it safely, that's what mattered.

The hut is a small, beautiful wooden cabin constructed next to the river. It has one large room with a fireplace where most of the cooking takes place. There are long drop toilets nearby, while bathrooms are provided as two cubicles behind the khonde of the hut. There is a guard (caretaker) at the hut who provided firewood for the fire and prepared bucket showers for us. We had access to a couple of 3 inch mattresses but mostly used our 1 inch earth mats, on the wooden floor panes.

Personally, I had more difficulty sleeping than hiking. The floor was hard, and I couldn't fit into my sleeping bag. It was freezing that night. However, there's something funny about sleep - it has a way of making you zone out in no time, even just for five minutes. Overall, I am glad that I completed the hike, and if I can do it, then so can you. I invite you to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. After all, you only live once.

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