MALAPE PILLARS, MACHINGA, MALAWI AND HOW TO GET THERE

Malape Pillars are a geographical site found in Machinga, Malawi, Africa. The pillars formed due to the forces of nature. The local community believes these rock formations are spiritual and people say strange things happen. Because of their dramatic shapes and contours, the pillars attract a lot of attention from tourists and local Malawians—they all want to appreciate the natural beauty of Malawi.

The Pillars are located in the Machinga District, a drivable distance from both main cities, Lilongwe and Blantyre. It is about a 4-hour drive from Lilongwe and a 2.5-hour drive from Blantyre. People usually visit Malape Pillars during their visit to Liwonde National Park. Malape Pillars are not in Liwonde but in Machinga. But, the drive between the Pillars and Liwonde National Park is short—you can visit both in one day.

Points to remember before going to Malape Pillars:

• Don’t go if it is raining heavily.
• If you try to use the directions on Google Maps to Malape Pillars, you will be taking a longer route. This route can be confusing as you are leaving the main big roads.
• You are going to park your car at Chindenga Village.
• You are going to walk (about 5 minutes) to Malape Pillars from Chindenga Village.
• You can visit both Liwonde National Park and Malape Pillars in one day. Start with an early game drive then drive to the Pillars in the afternoon.

HOW TO GET TO MALAPE PILLARS FROM LIWONDE MARKET OR THE M3 & S131 ROADS INTERSECTION

Here are directions to Malape Pillars from Liwonde Market or the intersection of M3 and S131—these two locations are very close to each other. You will go to Machinga Likwenu River first before turning into a smaller dusty road that leads to Chindenga Village, then to Malape Pillars.

Liwonde Market is a good starting point for people who want to see a typical Malawian market. Also, you can buy drinks and snacks from the market to take for the road trip. From Liwonde Market you are going to Machinga Likwenu River. From the market, you will pass First Merchant Bank (FMB) which will be on your left, then proceed straight as you join the S131 road.

If you are coming from Blantyre or Lilongwe via M3, you will turn where the S131 road begins. As soon as you turn into S131, there is Petroda Liwonde Filling Station on your left and Liwonde Bus Depot on your right. From Petroda Liwonde Filling Station you are going to the Machinga Likwenu River. Continue on S131 and turn with it as it is bearing right. Away from First Merchant Bank (this bank is on another smaller road to your left before you turn).

From both starting points, you will continue on S131 and you will stay on it until you get to Machinga Likweni River (which will be about a 15-minute drive). Around that area, there is a turn to a small road to Malape Pillars. On Google Maps the Machinga Likwenu location that is on there is a market. For directional purposes, you can still select it, because it is around the same area. 

Before getting to Machinga Likwenu River, you will pass a signpost of Liwonde National Park. You will also pass Chinguni Trading Center (there is also Chinguni Primary School near this trading center). Then, after a short drive, you will find Mpotola Trading Center (here is where you will also find Machinga Likwenu River). 

Proceed to Malape Pillars from Machinga Likwenu:

Near the bridge over the Machinga Likwenu River (about 100 meters or so) you will see a big Baobab tree to your right. Soon after that (about another 100 meters) you will see a brick signpost of Kampalira Primary School also to your right. You will turn right at the brick sign. 

When you turn at the signpost of Kampalira Primary School you will go straight until you find a small wooden bridge. Then you proceed straight. When you get to where the roads meet, you take the right turn, and then after a short drive, you will bear right. From there proceed forward until you get to Chindenga Village.

You can park your car under this Mango tree. The Chief’s house is on your right. People will come out to greet you as you are parking.

WHERE YOU WILL PARK YOUR CAR BEFORE WALKING TO MALAPE PILLARS

The formal address of where you are parking your car is Chindenga Village, Chief Chindenga, T/A Nsanama, in Machinga District, Malawi. GPS  coordinates for Chindenga Village are:15°5’38.346″ S 35°21’40.422″ E

When you arrive at Chindenga Village, you will park your car at the village. As you would do everywhere you go, remember to put your valuables out of sight and lock the doors. Before leaving for Malape Pillars, you will pay a small fee (in Malawi Kwacha) to the chief or his representative. They will give you a receipt. 

If you don’t have a tour guide with you to take you to the Pillars, you can ask them to show you which way to go. You can also ask someone from the village to accompany you because the paths can be a little mazy there. Agree on the fee beforehand and give them the payment when you return to the village after seeing the Pillars.  

GPS coordinates for Malape Pillars are: 15°5’46.086″ S 35°21’44.622″ E  

You might have noticed that these coordinates land you a short distance from the Malape Pillars location that is on Google Maps. I used my camera to take the coordinates I have put in this post while standing right there at the Pillars. Sometimes people create Google locations that might not be accurate. I noticed a slight variance between the location registered on Google and my coordinates. That’s why I felt the need to include these Malape Pillars coordinates in this guide.  

USING A TOUR GUIDE TO VISIT MALAPE TOURS

When we visited Malape Pillars, we used a Liwonde tour guide—who lives in Liwonde and is very familiar with this part of Malawi. He can contact the village chief and find out in advance how the roads are. This is helpful because when it rains heavily the river floods and the small bridge near Chindenga Village is almost impossible to cross. Also, the small walking path to Malape Pillars becomes difficult to undertake.

The guide that we used is Chisomo. He lives in Liwonde and gives tours to Malape Pillars, around the Liwonde area, as well as a game tour at Liwonde National Park. He assisted in creating this Malape Pillars travel guide post and the above directions. Without him, I would not get my bearings right.

Chisomo’s phone number is +265 888 79 55 76. You just send him a text, or a WhatsApp message, or call him to arrange where you can pick him up (in your car). He will take you wherever you want to visit. After finishing your sightseeing you will drop him off in Liwonde or another location if both of you agree.

WHY DO MANY PEOPLE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO VISIT MALAPE PILLARS?

There are a few reasons why many people don’t find Malape Pillars when they visit or find it challenging to get there. When you search for Malape Pillars directions on Google Maps, Google will take you through the M3 road.

The M3 road goes via Malosa Forest Reserve in Machinga and connects to a smaller road. You go to Malosa Township, after Zomba, if you are coming from Blantyre, then drive to Forestry Station before proceeding to the Army Base there. That’s where people park their cars before walking to Malape Pillars.

This route is difficult because you must have a 4×4 car to maneuver the terrain. Also, you park far from the Pillars and have to walk a long distance, passing through the forest and streams, etcetera.

It might be best to ignore Google Maps directions to Malape Pillars and try to find Malape Pillars by following the directions above.

My advice is to call a Liwonde tour guide to take you there. However, if you want to venture off on your own, follow the above directions to Chindenga Village. Park your car and ask for the Chief’s appointed person who will receive a payment and give you a receipt. Ask them to show you the right path.

Another reason why some people get lost is that they confuse Malape Pillars with Chikala Hills, which is also in Machinga, Malawi. Chikala Hills are at a different location.

*Tip: I usually download Google Maps (just the area I am going to) so if there is no internet I will still have access to the map section that I need. Especially, when you are returning to your hotel or there is noone around to ask.