We were supposed to drive to Rumphi, from where we wanted to hire a small car to visit Nyika National Park, but several agents quoted us an insane 300 to 600 USD just for the car and driver for one day, so we skipped it and drove straight to Mzuzu.
The drive between Chitimba and Mzuzu along the M1 Highway is widely regarded as one of Malawi’s most scenic road journeys, thanks to the dramatic ascent and descent of the Chiweta Escarpment. Towering green mountains plunge towards the shores of Lake Malawi, creating breathtaking vistas around almost every bend.
The winding route through the escarpment offers spectacular views of lush, forested cliffs and the lake’s vivid blue waters below. Yet the journey demands patience and caution. Although the M1 is Malawi’s principal north–south highway, parts of this mountainous section remain narrow and in poor condition, with deteriorated surfaces, jagged road edges, and numerous potholes. Ongoing rehabilitation works also result in diversions and lengthy stretches of unpaved, dusty road.
Conditions vary considerably along the route. The section closer to Rumphi has already been upgraded and is in excellent condition, providing a glimpse of what the entire corridor will eventually become. However, roadworks and difficult surfaces elsewhere can significantly slow progress. Despite covering only around 138 kilometres, the journey took us nearly five hours, making it far longer than the distance might suggest.
