The Mushroom Farm Experience -

The Mushroom Farm Eco-Lodge Experience

Looking for a serene escape to rejuvenate, recharge, and immerse yourself

in nature? Perhaps you’re seeking an adventurous backpacking

experience through the mountainous landscapes surrounding

Malawi’s Rift Valley. Discover The Mushroom Farm, an eco-lodge

nestled cliffside in Livingstonia, Malawi. Perched overlooking

the picturesque Lake Malawi, Nyika National Park, the Rift Valley,

and Tanzania’s Mountain Range, enjoy breathtaking views from your

private balcony, unwind in cozy nooks, or find your spot at the bar – all offering a

perfect retreat and connection with the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Destination:

How to Get There

For those of you traveling from Lilongwe, take the Sososo bus from Game Complex (there are 2 buses every day at 7am and 12pm). You can either get down at Mzuzu or Chitimba. The ticket costs roughly 26000MWK. Do book your ticket at least a day in advance as the bus fills up pretty fast.

From Mzuzu you can take a 2.5hr shared taxi straight to the farm that roughly costs 18000MWK.

From Chitimba the drive is close to 45 min and you can either hitch a ride at the back of a truck, hire a motorcycle or shared taxi. You’ll find plenty of options depending on your luggage and comfort level.

An alternate and more adventurous option is to hike from Chitimba to the farm through a beautiful scenic route. It is recommended to trek along with a guide. The hike can take 2-3 hrs depending on your speed. You can choose to send your luggage ahead in a truck for a small fee.

Destination:

Lodging Unlike Any Other

Each accomodation at The Mushroom Farm is unique in its own respect. These quaint cabins are designed using natural resources such as stones, water, straw or wood or soil. Each accommodation gazes over a spectacular view of the valley and Lake Malawi. There is something for all types of traveler, whether you come with your family, or solo or backpacking, find a stay that fits your budget and comfort.

Build new connections with travelers from all over the world by staying in the big or mini dorm with multiple single beds. This is ideal for solo travelers or a group of friends. Enjoy a tranquil stay for some much needed alone time in the cliffside cabin, built as the name suggests on the edge of a cliff. You can even pitch your own tent or park your overlander and enjoy the views and hospitality.

Note: The property only has shared showers and compost toilets.

Get more details about the lodging options here.

Destination:

Community and Sustainability

The Mushroom Farm is an integral part of the community and environment as it is built on a distinctive ecosystem committed to self-sufficiency and seamless integration into its thriving environment. The farm operates exclusively on solar energy and hydro energy from the Manchew Waterfalls, draws water from a pristine natural spring, and employs composting techniques to nourish its on-site permaculture gardens. The open-air cliffside restaurant is a culinary delight, featuring a farm-to-table experience with locally sourced ingredients from a 25km radius. Most of their ingredients come from their gardens or the community. Their fully stocked bar makes for a complete and sustainable dining experience.

The dedicated team tackles the challenges of operating an eco-lodge by continually exploring innovative ways to enhance its eco-friendliness. They are setting new standards in implementing alternative building methods, addressing waste reduction and recycling initiatives, while also prioritizing local sourcing to give back to the community.

An interesting feature that contributes towards their goal of sustainability are the shared compost toilets. This waterless method helps in generating organic and nutrient-rich fertilizer suitable for fruit trees, flowers, and coffee plants. This system eliminates the need for septic tanks and minimizes water wastage. The waste is converted into an odorless organic fertilizer after a period of 7 months. This sustainable approach ensures the responsible and eco-friendly management of human waste.

It is inspiring to see how the team collectively participates in leaving a smaller carbon footprint.

Destination:

Fall in Food Heaven

Every bite you take at The Mushroom Farm is not just delicious but is served fresh straight from the surrounding gardens or the local community with a mesmerizing view from the open cliffside restaurant. The farm has a wide variety of produce that compliments and enhances the menu, from tomatoes, onions, carrots, green peppers, eggplants, beans, oregano, basil, mint, bay leaf, pumpkin, various lettuces, hibiscus, asparagus, guavas, pineapple, coffee, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, lychee, coconut, bananas, chili peppers, pear, grapes, fennel, parsley, dill, peaches, tangerines, and, of course, mushrooms and so many others that I don’t even recognize.

The culinary delight encapsulates a global cuisine, something from each region to suit the taste buds of a diverse traveler community. You might be stunned by the food choices but don’t forget the delightful cocktails, iced teas and homemade kombucha.

Destination:

Endless Hiking trails

The Mushroom Farm truly is blessed to be surrounded by endless scenic trails. With the Lake Malawi on one side, the Manchewe Waterfalls, Nyika Plateau, Chombe Plateau, adventure seekers and explorers can spend days just exploring some of the more untouched trails.

The team effortlessly tie up activites to their effort towards sustainability and co-existence by contributing 100% of the fees to the local guides and providing sustainable employment enriching the local community.

Find various hiking options depending on your speed, stamina and duration such as the:

Chombe Plateau Day Hike

Manchewe Waterfalls Day Hike

Nyika Plateau Multi-Day Hike

Historic Livingstonia Day Hike

Find more details about the various hikes here.

Destination:

Take a Class in Permaculture

If I haven’t emphasized it enough, I’ll say it again, sustainability is at the core of The Mushroom Farm’s operations, and the ‘eco’ in Eco-Lodge is a fundamental aspect of their ethos. The Mushroom Farm’s permaculture gardens cover approximately 3 hectares, featuring numerous vegetable beds, a greenhouse, a fruit orchard, composting boxes, water harvesting ponds, a pig pen, and a designated area for the growth of a variety of trees. The layout adheres to permaculture zones, strategically designed on a slope with terraced keyhole beds and raised beds.

Water, sourced from the Farm’s natural spring, and rainwater keeps the ponds filled and ensures the irrigation of the gardens. The Eco-Lodge takes a comprehensive and innovative solutions to tackle issues of sustainability by producing its own natural fertilizer and also keeping the gardens rich in nutrients year round.

The team is enthusiastic about sharing their innovative ideas as they take you on a tour of their gardens, piggery and hen house.

Destination:

Unwind with a View

Is any vacation complete unless you kick back and just enjoy the present moment? After relishing copious amounts of food, exploring the vast landscape on various trails, relax and unwind in the open air bathtub. With views unlike any other, the bathtub is placed out in the open surrounded by trees, overlooking the valley and Lake Malawi. The water is heated by logs under the tub and is perfect for a gloomy, cold or rainy day. You can either enjoy the tub all by yourself or also experience the magic with your partner.