The Mushroom Farm is located in
the picturesque northern highlands of
Malawi, a few kilometres from the
historic mission town of Livingstonia.
By
Car:
It can be reached in two hours from the
Tanzanian/Malawian border, or two and a
half hours from the northern city of
Mzuzu. Either way follow the M1 to the
village of Chitimba and a well sign
posted turnoff to Livingstonia.
The farm is ten kilometres up this
steep and spectacular road, known
locally as the “Gorode”
THE GORODE ROAD.
Surveyed by Dr. Laws, then built over
three years from 1901 to 1903 by three
thousand locals, the Gorode Rd is
famous as an engineering feat of its
time and as a current day classic drive
for those on driving safaris around
Africa. Twenty one switch backs and
hair-pin bends help you climb the
Livingstone Escarpment and bring you to
the quaint town of Livingstonia.
Conditions on the road change often but
generally speaking a 4x4 is not needed
to climb the road. More important is
decent clearance under your vehicle as
its a very rocky road in places.
This doesn't stop taxi drivers from
Mzuzu bring people up in sedans
however. With careful driving it is
possible most of the time.
The early missionaries used to get
pushed up in Rickshaws and a piano was
famously left behind when locals got
tired of carrying it up the hill. Today
there is more traffic then ever
travelling up and down the hill and it
is a fairly easy and safe option to
hitch a ride to the top.
No Car:
Buses between Mzuzu and Karonga will
drop you at the turnoff (at the police
roadblock) at Chitimba. From here there
are opportunities to hitch up to the
farm.
Alternatively, from Chitimba Beach Camp
(1km north of the turnoff) guides can
be found to guide you along local
footpaths to us. This is a beautiful
and strenuous one and a half to two and
a half hour walk.
Pick Up Service From
Chitimba:
The Mushroom Farm offers a
pick-up service from the turnoff/police
roadblock at Chitimba for US$40 per
trip. Find some friends to share the
cost and call to book. (check
availability)