Trips are organised to Mulanje and other areas by the Club for MCM members and friends. Planned trips are advertised here on the MCM web site on the Events Page, and for members in the club’s newsletter and through email reminders.


If you want to join a trip, please contact the leader at least a week in advance to ensure that adequate planning can take place. Depending on the number of participants, meals and transport could be shared.

These organised outings are a great way for members to build their confidence on new routes, to visit different places, and to make new friends. These are usually led by committee members, but all experienced members are encouraged to be leaders, so please let a committee member know if you are planning a trip and would welcome some company.

Email: trips@mcm.org.mw

Other Areas

While Mount Mulanje is certainly the best known mountain area in Malawi, it is by no means the only one. Some of the other mountainous areas are described below.

Zomba
The Zomba Plateau dominates the old capital city of Zomba, which has a number of interesting colonial buildings, a good vegetable market, and plenty of other shops, accommodation and eating places. Unlike Mulanje, there are roads up to the plateau, and the terrain is generally softer and gentler, with fewer and lower peaks. It’s an excellent place for rambling and hiking, with a number of easily followed roads and trails. The plateau itself is protected by the oldest forest reserve in Malawi and contains extensive pine plantations as well as rolling grassland, montane forest, scrub and woodland. A 36-page booklet, Zomba Mountain: A Walker’s Guide by Martyn and Kittie Cundy, is available from bookshops in Blantyre.


The view from Zomba plateau over to Lake Chilwa.

Dedza
The area around Dedza town, which lies between Lilongwe and Blantyre, contains several forest reserves which are well worth exploring, including Dedza Mountain, Chongoni and Mua-Livulezi. The main peak is Nkoma Mountain (1,784m) which lies to the east of the mail Lilongwe-Dedza road. The highland climate makes the area particularly pleasant in the hot season.

Nyika
The Nyika National Park in the north of Malawi is the largest of its type in the country. The Nyika plateau, which is around 2,000m high (comparable to Mulanje), is mainly rolling grassland and heather, with occasional forests of pine, eucalyptus and indigenous trees. There is a vast network of dirt roads and paths to explore. An excellent reference is A Visitor’s Guide to Nyika National Park, Malawi by Sigrid Anna Johnson, which is available at bookshops in Lilongwe and Blantyre.

In addition, there are isolated hills and mountains spread around the country, often rising quite abruptly from the surrounding plain. Many of these can be climbed (local advice helps) using village paths and give splendid views of the surrounding countryside. Wherever possible, ask permission to cross cultivated land, and park your vehicle somewhere public without leaving valuable items on show.