Youth group for Sapitwa hike

The national youth grouping called Youth Hub will from October 30 visit Mulanje Mountain’s highest peak Sapitwa.

According to patron Humphreys Kapito, initially, they planned a hike to Sapitwa on Mulanje Mountain in July this year but due to the Covid-19 epidemic, they had to shelve the trek to Central Africa’s highest peak at 3 002 metres above sea level.

With the downward trend of Covid-19 cases that is bringing life back to normal, the grouping plan a three-day excursion to the ‘unreachable’ peak to promote local tourism and environmental awareness.

“In September last year, we went as far as Lichenya Peak and the plan was to conquer Sapitwa in this youth challenge. We did not achieve that due to Covid-19 restrictions. We are going up the Mulanje Mountain from October 30 to November 1. This is the time for us to appreciate nature, face the challenge and get to know more on the environment,” said Kapito.

He added that from Likhubula at the foot of the mountain, they will spend a night at Chisepo Hut, which is on one of the peaks on Mulanje Mountain, also called The Island in the Sky. The following morning, they will hike to Sapitwa and descend to another peak, Lichenya where they will also spend another night before trekking back to Lichenya.

“It is open for all at K18 500, which caters for transport from Blantyre to Mulanje and back, two nights accommodation on the mountain and food. Apart from Mulanje Mountain, last year we also had a trip to Cape Maclear in Mangochi,” said Kapito.

He said they are working with partners Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust and the Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi.

Youth Hub this year also plans to conduct their annual tree-planting exercises.