很多人来到马拉维(Malawi)是为了那片如海般的湖泊,但真正的旅行者总会忍不住往北走,去寻找那个传说中挂在悬崖边上的地方。蘑菇农场(The Mushroom Farm)不仅仅是一家生态旅馆,它是利文斯顿尼亚(Livingstonia)高原上的一处精神地标,海拔将近1200米,刚好能把马拉维湖的浩瀚与东非大裂谷的深邃尽收眼底。
蘑菇农场最初由一对美国兄妹在2008年前后创立。他们没有在湖边圈地盖别墅,而是选择了利文斯顿尼亚陡峭的崖壁。这里最吸引人的就是那种极致的隔离感。清晨推开木窗,脚下是翻滚的云海,远处是坦桑尼亚的群山,那种震撼感不是任何五星级酒店能给的。这里的节奏很慢,没电网信号差,所有人都在露台上看书、喝咖啡或是在吊床上打盹。
说它是农场一点不夸张,这里拥有大约3公顷的永续农业花园。你吃到的每一口蔬菜,可能就是半小时前刚从园子里摘下来的。农场完全依赖100%太阳能和水力发电,水源则来自附近的山泉。作为一家社会企业,他们把一部分利润直接投回本地社区,支持附近的托儿所和英语学校。住在这里,你不仅是游客,也是这个微型生态循环的一部分。
住在蘑菇农场,如果不去徒步简直是浪费了这大好山色。这里是北马拉维最出名的徒步据点,几条线路难度不等,但风景都是顶级的。
从农场出门溜达不到20分钟,就能听到轰鸣的水声。曼切维瀑布(Manchewe Falls)垂直落差达125米,是马拉维最高的瀑布。你可以沿着湿滑的小径下到瀑布正下方,或者钻进水帘背后的石洞。据说一百多年前,当地人为了躲避奴隶贩子的抓捕,就藏在这些隐秘的洞穴里。站在洞口往外看,水气扑面而来,这种清凉在非洲的烈日下格外奢侈。
如果体力好,建议花上半天时间去契姆比高原(Chombe Plateau)。这趟往返大约需要4到5小时,爬升虽然辛苦,但当你站到那块像狮子王岩石一样的悬崖边上,270度的湖景瞬间会让所有的汗水变得超值。天气好的时候,能清楚地看到对岸坦桑尼亚的海岸线。记得带足水,山顶的阳光非常毒辣。
沿着土路往山顶走约4公里,就是利文斯顿尼亚镇。这个小镇始建于1894年,由苏格兰传教士设立,目的是为了逃避低地的疟疾。镇上的建筑非常有特色,全是那种红砖堆砌的维多利亚风格。去看看著名的石头屋(Stone House)博物馆,或者去圣米迦勒教堂瞧瞧那扇绘有大卫·利文斯通(David Livingstone)图案的彩色玻璃窗,你会有一种时空错乱的幻觉。
去蘑菇农场本身就是一场冒险,那段被当地人称为戈罗德(Gorode)的山路足以写进旅行日记。
无论你从利隆威(Lilongwe)还是姆祖祖(Mzuzu)出发,最终都要先到山脚下的智廷巴(Chitimba)。从智廷巴到农场只有10公里左右,但垂直高度上升了约900米。这段路有22个发卡弯,全是碎石和泥土。你可以选择坐当地的共享皮卡货车,每人大约5美金,但得等凑够30个人才发车;或者花7到8美金坐摩的,那是真的风驰电掣,心脏不好的朋友建议闭眼。当然,如果你体力惊人,背着大包爬山大约需要3小时。
这里的住宿丰俭由人。最抢手的是悬崖木屋,落地窗直接对着湖,虽然价格在80美金左右,但往往要提前几周预订。预算有限的背包客可以选A字型帐篷或者床位,床位大约15美金。如果你自带帐篷扎营,只要花不到5美金就能享用所有的公共设施。这里的露天浴室是一大特色,一边冲凉一边看着崖下的风景,这种原始的快乐非常解压。由于农场坚持素食主义,餐厅不供应肉类,但那道著名的素食汉堡和手冲咖啡,绝对能俘获肉食动物的心。
农场不提供WiFi,本地手机卡在部分区域有微弱信号。建议在山下的智廷巴办好Airtel卡,但到了山上还是尽量放下手机,享受那100%的离线生活。
一双抓地力好的徒步鞋是必须的,因为路面多是碎石。此外,虽然非洲很热,但由于海拔超过1100米,早晚温差很大,甚至会降到15度以下,厚外套或防风衣不可或缺。
4月到10月的旱季是黄金期,空气通透度最高,看湖景最清晰。11月到次年3月是雨季,山路会变得极其泥泞湿滑,甚至可能封路,但那时的植被最绿,瀑布水量也最惊人。
不能,农场主要接受当地货币夸查(MWK)或美金现金。由于最近的ATM机在100公里外的姆祖祖,建议上山前在姆祖祖的Shoprite附近取足现金。
Anouk Sijbring Location is unbelievable!! The view is breathtaking and the staff is the nicest ever!! 100% worth the drive up here. Would recommend the breakfast burrito and the massage (13.000 kwa for 1 hour is insane). The view from the cob house bathroom is the best ever
D Its been a long time since I stayed here last but it was always the perfect place to stay. Set high above Lake Malawi it offers outstanding views. It had fantastic things to hike to nearby, particularly the waterfall. A must stay when in the area. The tents are comfortable. Lovely, friendly and helpful staff.
Bengt Riedel We did not sleep there but only stopped for lunch. The place itself blends in beautiful in the surrounding area. The lunch menu consists of simple meals that are completely vegetarian. Unfortunately we were not so happy with the service and the kitchen. Although we communicated before that we would be coming for lunch we still had to wait 1 hour for our food. It was good but the simple dishes they offer should not take an hour to cook, especially since we were almost some there. It’s also noteworthy that the road leading there is bad. We recommend a high clearance car, in rainy season even 4x4 might be necessary.
My Phone Awesome stay. Horrible way to get in (either on motorcycles, or a loooong hike up the hill). Delicious food. Free drinking water provided. Amazing clifftop hot bath. Waterfalls nearby (circa 20-30min walk - no tour required, just pay 2,000 once you get at the waterfall). All food is vegetarian.
Anne-Marie O'Driscoll Mushroom Farm is a unique experience - a hidden lodge high above the rest of the world, we’ve unbeaten views of the countryside and Lake Malawi. The lodge employs local people, and you get a real sense that the lodge provides a lot to the community. Staff are warm and can’t do enough for you. Great activities available at the lodge. Dinner is always delicious, varied and has plenty veggies. We stayed in the Safari Tent which is spacious and comfortable.