This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Chitimba.
Located on the M1 highway just under one hundred forty kilometers from the Songwe border with Tanzania, Chitimba, Malawi, is the access point for the beautiful Livingstonia plateau, a steep and bumpy drive uphill. One hundred thirty kilometers north of the nearest city, Mzuzu, Chitimba is a long string of a village along the northern shores of Lake Malawi. The drive up to Livingstonia is extremely rough, and public transport up there is very infrequent and uncomfortable. The dirt road is in very bad condition, so most people opt to hire a four-wheel-drive and driver to take them up.
There are a couple of overlanders' hostels in Chitimba, Malawi, right on the lake shore; staying there, you may be able to access a four-wheel-drive that can get up the hill to Livingstonia, so inquire here if you want transport. However, if you decide to linger a while in the village, you'll find the Chitimba, Malawi hostel accommodation is of good quality, and there are also a couple of Chitimba, Malawi hostel options on the road up to Livingstonia, all of which offer dorm beds. However, the hostels on the road up to the plateau are quite a way from the top, so you'll still have a stiff walk uphill of at least an hour to get up there and there is very little transport passing to hitch a lift from. However, the views, even from just fifteen or twenty minutes up the road from Chitimba, looking back over Lake Malawi, are fantastic.
Although no more than a way station to other locations, Chitimba is worth a day or two of any traveler's time as it gives an insight into Malawi life away from the tourist trail. It's a quiet place to wander, and you'll find plenty of bird life in a around the water's edge. The sand is soft and the view down the beach is lovely, though it can get very hot as there is very little shade, and of course, the village is surrounded by hills to its west, south, and north.
Written by local enthusiast for Chitimba hostels
LondonroadMa
