Malawi's Mount Mulanje Trek & Summit with Ruth

Malawi’s Highest Peak was Harder than reaching Everest Base Camp

Ruth
Ruth
Traveller
Published on
10 Jun 2019
Updated on
25 Apr 2025
Ruth on Mount Mulanje

Ruth travelled solo to Malawi in January 2019 and stayed for 4 months! She worked at a school in Kasungu and Far & Wild arranged her Malawi safari holiday itinerary. Ruth explored Malawi and visited Victoria Falls in Zambia. She learned a lot in her 4 months and this review gives wonderful insight into her experiences.

The most incredible memories...

During my time in Malawi, I visited many places and took part in many amazing activities such as safaris and snorkelling, however, the most incredible memories were made during my experience trekking up and summiting Mount Mulanje.

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Sapitwa Peak Sign
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Mount Mulanje Trek
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Sunset on the Trek

The most difficult trekking I've ever done...

By far the most difficult trekking I’ve ever done, but totally worth it! (and Ruth has trekked to Everest Base Camp so she is certainly no beginner!)

The views were incredible and made the sweat and aches feel worthwhile.

I went up with a team of 4 Malawians - a guide, a chef and two porters. These people were amazing and looked after me so well. Their support and expertise, particularly when climbing to Sapitwa Peak was exceptional on such treacherous trails.

Ruth Mount Mulanje Trek
Dilapidated Bridge
Ruth's Waterfall Photo
Waterfall on the way

My team lit a glowing fire each night...

The huts I stayed in each night were basic but comfortable and warm and well looked after - my team lit a glowing fire for me each night which kept the space cosy. I was scared at times due to the difficulty of some of the climbs, particularly up to the peak, but that didn’t shadow the experience for me - it was amazing!

I was scared at times...but that didn’t shadow the experience for me - it was amazing!
Ruth's Stunning Scenery
Stunning Scenery

We ate steak & curries...

The chef created some amazing meals despite the remote hike. We had steaks and curries! This was perfect after a hard day of hiking some treacherous trails; I went through caves, clambering large boulders, it was difficult and sweaty, but the guides were excellent. Some elements that were meant to be 5 hours took 7.5 hours. I stayed in Likhubula Forest Lodge at the end which was great. Eliot runs it very well and it’s got a lovely atmosphere of hikers. After the hike I went to Liwonde National Park for a wildlife safari before relaxing at Cape Mac Lodge (great ice-cream!) & Mgoza Lodge.

Ruth Above the Clouds
Above the clouds

I saw lions everyday in Majete...

My favourite wildlife safari was in Majete where I saw lions on every drive. I enjoyed Thawale Campsite which was so well run, it’s excellent, very clean, got a good fridge and the staff would light the braii (BBQ).

My vehicle was fantastic and so well equipped, it was an amazing adventure.

Read more about trekking Mount Mulanje from a Guide's perspective.

Wondering when to visit? Take a look at this guide on the best time to visit Malawi.

Looking for some more inspiration? Take a look at our best safari holidays ideas, our favourite family safaris, our big five safari guide or our top African safari honeymoon suggestions.

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Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

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Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

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Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

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Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

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