NEW: MUSHROOM FARM OFFICE CHITIMBA 
​This is Stanley Gondwe (pictured to the left). He is our Chitimba dude.

For any Chitimba based Travel inquiries please stop by our new office at the Livingstonia/Chitimba junction. Stan is ready to help with guide hire, fees, public transport questions, private hire, restaurants in Chitimba, and a whole lot more.
​FEEL FREE TO TIP IF HELPFUL ;)

Stanley/Office phone number-+265 88 153 9495
The office is open from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
closed Wednesdays.

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Directions:

If you're coming from the North…
Most guests coming from Tanzania find the trip from Mbeya to the Mushroom Farm in one day to take between 5-8 hours depending on public transport and time spent crossing the border. 

From the Tanzanian border (Songwe) you'll have to take a minibus to Karonga, there you'll get out and switch to a minibus headed south towards Chitimba. From Karonga to Chitimba takes roughly two hours. Once you make it to Chitimba follow the directions below on how to get up the mountain.

If you're interested in private hire to take you all the way from the border below is the phone number for a taxi driver based in Livingstonia, if you're planning to take private hire make sure to book ahead of time.
Mike- +265 88 857 3097   /   +265 991 47 79 90
  

If you're coming from the South…

From Lilongwe to Mzuzu : Coming from Lilongwe will take roughly 10 hours and we recommend breaking up the journey by staying a night in Mzuzu. From Lilongwe you can take a bus from either the central bus station in Old Town or from the Axa bus office. If you do take an Axa bus we recommend checking into the axa bus office and booking a ticket in advance.
If you're interested in taking a private taxi from Lilongwe to Mzuzu here are a few numbers of taxi drivers based in Mzuzu. Make sure to call ahead of time as it takes about 5 hours to get from Mzuzu to Lilongwe.
Phillip- +265 99 353 0701
Frank-  +265 999 57 91 20

From Mzuzu to Chitimba : Getting from Mzuzu to Chitimba takes roughly two and a half hours on public transport. There is a minibus station not to far away from the shoprite in the center of town. Once there, hop on a minibus headed north toward Karonga. Ask the driver to drop you off at Chitimba.  If you're interested in private hire taxi from Mzuzu to Chitimba here are a couple numbers for drivers based in Mzuzu:
Phillip- +265 99 353 0701
Frank-  +265 999 57 91 20


Getting Up The Mountain:
Once you arrive at the Livingstonia/Chitimba junction, you will see a dirt road heading up the mountains. Mushroom Farm lies 10 km up the dirt road. There are 4 different options to make your way up the mountain:
 
PUBLIC TRANSPORT. Right where the pavement meets the dirt, there are normally shared pick-up trucks that take passengers up the mountain when the truck is full. Waiting time variable; can be anywhere from 5 min up to 3 hours.  It is a 30-45 min drive up the mountain. Let the driver know that you are headed to Mushroom Farm and they will let you know where to get off. The walk from the main road (at our Mushroom Farm signpost) down the driveway takes about 10 minutes.
 
HIKE IT. It is also possible to trek your way up the mountain! It is a beautiful hike and takes about 2.5 - 3 hours. We advise walking with a guide.

PRIVATE TRANSPORT. If you drive yourself it should take about 45 min drive. 4-wheel drive is not necessary but high clearance is definitely a necessity! There are 20 steep hairpin bends up the mountain.
 
PRIVATE HIRE. Want a private hire from Chitimba to Mushroom Farm? 
There a couple different drivers Mushroom Farm works with. Below are there contact details.
Thomas, from Livingstonia phone number: 088 217 5409.
 Mike, from Livingstonia, phone numbers: 099 147 7990 -or- 088 857 3097


For any Chitimba based Travel inquiries please stop by our new office right at the Livingstonia/Chitimba junction. There you will find Stanley, who is ready to help with guide hire and fees, public transport questions, Private hire, restaurants in Chitimba, and a whole lot more.
Stanley/Office phone number-+265 88 153 9495
The office is open from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
closed Wednesdays.