Senga Bay Mountain is an intense little mountain that has an awesome view! A group of 7 plus 2 local guides lead us up this mountain. It was a raw real hike. From where we are staying it took about 45 minutes to walk to the base then a long hour and half later we reached the top.
The trail was rugged and not groomed like you are used to in the States. The best parts of the trail was as narrow as a goat trail. Majority of the climb was through the bush, over rocks, and forging a new path. There wasn’t any switch backs either….the guides just took us straight up. Sections so steep that when walking up them and you stuck your hand out you could comfortably touch the ground in front of you. It was almost like going up a vertical wall and these sections lasted for what felt like forever. Heart pumping, legs burning, grasping for breath type of climbing. The closest trail I can think of to relate it to in the States would be Grandfather Mountain.
The craziest part of the entire journey was what we found near the top. We took a breather at a good overlook rock and came across 5 women. The women were on the mountain collecting wood. We saw a couple bundles of 10-12 foot long pieces in bundles that were 2-3 feet in diameter. They were preparing to balance these bundles of wood and start the journey down the mountain and back to the village. You might be thinking, hmm that must be a decent paying village job? But oh no, these women have to PAY park services to collect the dead dry wood. The village uses the wood for fires and to build structures. Our local guides were telling us that these women would do at least 3 trips up the mountain a week and up to daily trips depending on the need. Then the local guide was telling us that he used to be a “bush” man and made the wood trip up the mountain sometimes 5 times a day. I know, absolutely crazy.
A “bush” person in Malawi is someone who lives off the land and typically keeps up with cattle and hunts. He was telling us that he has fought off bamboos and other wild animals to keep his goats alive. Lets just say he floated up the mountain as if we were strolling down the beach with the breeze at your back.
Once we reached the summit of the mountain, we were greeted with a 270 degree of Lake Malawi. It was breath taking view, and the hot sunny climb to the top really paid off then. We could look down and see hippo ponds and villages on the other side of the mountain. Absolutely one of the best views I have seen in Africa. Yes, there were pictures taken and can hopefully get those online once we get to Europe.
