The Challenge
Join adventurer Sarah Outen as she spends 6 days exploring Mulanje Mountain including 4 peak climbs. Each night you will stay in a different mountain hut, cooking your meals around the fire, marvelling at the incredible Milky Way and enjoying a week away from all modern convenience. Your expedition trek includes the challenge of summiting Sapitwa Peak (3,002m), Mulanje’s highest point. Local guides will accompany your group, sharing ancient tales of the mountain from witchcraft and wizardry to knowledge on the flora and fauna found in this remote landscape. (No ropes needed, tough climbing and trekking experience necessary)
Day to Day: Orbis Hike
Acclimatisation. Meet the team.
Ascent via Milk Path (6hrs)
Chilemba Peak to Chisepo Forest (7hrs)
Dawn Sapitwa Peak Climb (9hrs)
Nandalanda Peak to Chinzama Hut (7hrs)
Namisile Peak to Sombani Hut (6hrs)
Descent and Further Travel (3hrs)
Routes will be changed weather dependent. Team will be accommodated by mountain porters and guides and a medical representative.
Mulanje Peak Climbs
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Chilemba Peak. 2,359m above sea level. 2 hrs Hiking Time. Undulating/Steep.
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Sapitwa Peak. 3,002m above sea level. 6hrs Hiking Time. Steep/Technical.
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Nandalanda Peak. 2,590m above sea level. 6 hrs Hiking Time. Scrambles/Mid Level
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Namisile Peak. 2,684m above sea level. 6 hrs Hiking Time. Scrambles/Mid Level
Please note Mulanje Peak climbs often include scrambling, boulders, uneven terrain and it is advisable to bring good walking poles and boots. No ropes needed.
Mountain Accommodation
Mountain Hut accommodation is very simple. In some huts you will have basic mattresses on bunks and at others you will have blankets on the floor. Good warm sleeping bags advised.
Meals are cooked by your team chef around a simple open fire. Toilet facilities and showers are very basic, often a long drop toilet and bucket shower.
Please note nights on the mountain can get very cold so layers for the evening are required- a full kit list will be supplied.
The Purpose
We aim to raise £10,000 to support the work of Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust.
The Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) is a conservation trust in Malawi. It is an environmental endowment trust funded by the World Bank through the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and aims at providing long-term reliable support for biodiversity research, conservation of biological diversity and sustainable utilization of natural resources of the Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve.
Your Host: Sarah Outen
Sarah Outen is a record-breaking adventurer, author, speaker and filmmaker.
In 2009 she became the first woman and youngest person to row solo across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius at the age of 24 and at that time was the youngest woman to row solo across any ocean. In 2011 she embarked on her London2London:Via the World journey, which saw her traverse the Northern Hemisphere by rowing boat, bike and kayak over the next 4.5 years. It was all the richer for not turning out exactly as planned. She has authored two books on her journeys: 'A Dip in the Ocean' and 'Dare to Do' and her award-winning feature film 'Home' is currently screening around the world.
An advocate for openness around mental health and access to the outdoors, Sarah is proud patron of a number of youth, health and adventure charities and is training to become a psychotherapist. She lives in Oxfordshire, UK with her wife Lucy and their three donkeys. She's happiest when outside, ideally round a campfire near the water, somewhere remote.
Having never been to the African continent before, Sarah is excited to be leading this hiking expedition - both for the adventure and challenge but also to get an insight into life in Malawi.
Meet more of Our Orbis Challenge Hosts
The tingly bits…
Stay a little longer in Malawi and come and experience some of this amazing region of Africa. Orbis can arrange onward travel including wildlife safaris, community visits, Lake Malawi retreats, time spent using your skills within village settings or a mix of all the above. Or you might like to hop across the border to explore Victoria Falls in Zambia or the Mozambique Indian Ocean Coast. Get in touch and we can help you plan your onward travel.
Logistics
We live and breathe Malawi and social expeditions to this beautiful part of the world is our bread and butter. It is the only country we sell so all our efforts and energies are concentrated around our unique expeditions and developing educational & purposeful travel to this part of the world.
Your health and safety are our paramount concerns and we will be with you every step of the way, from the very start of the booking process through to lighting that camp fire on the final night. Our UK Company, Orbis Expeditions, will act as your ABTA & ATOL protected booking agent while our Malawi company, The Responsible Safari Company, will be your in-country host & provide all your local support.
Joining you on this adventure will be a domestic support team including a medic, cook, guides and porters.
