Huts on Mount Mulanje

The Mountain Club works with MMCT and the Forestry Department to maintain nine of the ten huts on the Mulanje Massif – Chambe, Chinzama, Chisepo, France’s Cottage, Lichenya, Madzeka, Minunu, Sombani and Thuchila. The tenth hut – Hope Rest Cottage – is privately operated by the CCAP.

Each hut contains a locked MCM storeroom with mattresses, cooking and eating utensils and other useful items. A major benefit of MCM membership is that there is no need to carry cooking and camping kit and other basic equipment up Mulanje.

The following descriptions contain links (.kml files) to the hut locations and access routes for use in the free Google Earth application. As time goes on, we hope to include more detailed routes and times for Mulanje and other areas in GPS-compatible format, with links to Google Earth. Contributions are welcome. Email the MCM webmaster.

Chambe Hut

Altitude: 1,860m

Capacity: 16

Chambe is one of the most popular huts on Mt Mulanje as it is very accessible. The hut has a spectacular view of the south-east face of Chambe Peak (2,557m).

Download KML

Chinzama Hut

Altitude: 2,139m

Capacity: 12

Chinzama Hut is beautifully situated within the heart of the mountain, close to the source of the Ruo River with stunning views.

Download KML

Chisepo Hut

Altitude: 2,219m

Capacity: 15

Chisepo Hut is the newest hut on the mountain, perfectly situated for an ascent of Sapitwa, Mulanje’s highest peak (3,002m).

Download KML

France’s Cottage

Altitude: 1,843m

Capacity: 6

France’s Cottage is an old forestry cottage renovated in 2005. It faces the east face of Chambe Peak and is situated within 200 metres of the Chambe mountain hut.

Download KML

Hope Rest Cottage (CCAP)

Altitude: 1,981m

Capacity: 8

This is the one mountain cottage that is privately owned, by the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). The lovely Linje pools are a 15-minute walk away.

Download KML

Lichenya Hut

Altitude: 1,840m

Capacity: 20+

Lichenya is the largest hut on the mountain and can sleep more than 20 people. This makes it the most suitable hut for large groups.

Download KML

Madzeka Hut

Altitude: 1,820m

Capacity: 12

Madzeka is situated in the south-east of the Mulanje plateau and dates from 1966. It is built above a very attractive stream with waterfalls and pools for swimming.

Download KML

Minunu Hut

Altitude: 2,015m

Capacity: 12+

Minunu is the smallest of the Mulanje huts, but has recently been extended to include a second room to provide a good amount more sleeping space.

Download KML

Sombani Hut

Altitude: 2,070m

Capacity: 10

Sombani was built in 1961 to replace an earlier hut which burnt down in 1956. It provides a very good base for ascents of the dramatic peak of Namasile.

Download KML

Thuchila Hut

Altitude: 2,303m

Capacity: 20+

Originally built in 1901, Thuchila is the oldest of all the Mulanje shelters. It is in a lovely setting looking out north east over Elephant’s Head.

Download KML