How do I get to the Mushroom Farm? How long does it take with public/private transport?
Coming from the South:
Lilongwe to Mzuzu PUBLIC TRANSPORT: We recommend the AXA coach leaving city mall at 12:00 noon every day. Usually takes 5-6 hours. PRIVATE TRANSPORT: 4 hours.
Nkhata Bay to Mzuzu PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Shared taxi or mini-bus. 45 min-1 hour. PRIVATE TRANSPORT: 45 min.
Mzuzu to Chitimba PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Mini-bus. 2-3 hours (2,500mk roughly) PRIVATE TRANSPORT: 2 hours
Coming from the North:
Mbeya, Tanzania to the Malawian Border PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Mini-bus. 3-4 hours. PRIVATE TRANSPORT: 2-3 hours.
Border Crossing: Can take up to 1 hour.
Border to Chitimba: PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Mini-bus. 3 hours (2,500mk roughly) PRIVATE TRANSPORT: 2 hours.
Chitimba to Mushroom Farm: How do I get up the mountain?! Once you arrive at the Livingstonia/Chitimba junction, you will see a dirt road heading up the mountains, you are almost here! Mushroom Farm lies 10 km up the dirt road. There is no public transport to Livingstonia, however, you have 4 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 (roughly about 2,000mk). 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. Ask around at the junction for Stanley Zinyengo Gondwe to guide and/or orginize porters, or call him directly: +265 88 153 9495
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? Thomas, from Livingstonia, charges 20,000mk flat fee (truck can fit up to 8 people) phone number: 088 217 5409. Mike, from Livingstonia, charges 35,000mk flat fee(truck can fit up to 12 people) phone numbers: 099 147 7990 -or- 088 857 3097 Good luck and see you soon!
