The Orbis Trail Challenge
with Lauren Steadman
Purpose: Malawi’s Paralympics
2024 Dates Coming Soon…
The Orbis Trail Challenge
A 7 day, 75 km Trail Running Adventure across Southern Malawi with an Olympic Champion in Aid of Paralympics
2022 Headliner is Lauren Steadman
Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist!
3 Time Paralympian & Rio Silver Medallist
Double World Champion
Six Time European Champion
Elite Para – Triathlete
Summary
An evening briefing under candlelight, alarms set for dawn, mosquito nets down and just a few hours before you put your trainers on. The sights, smells and tingle of Africa oozes through your veins and you can’t wait to get up and see what the new day brings. The Orbis Trail Challenge was born from the love of sport with purpose at it’s heart. Expect seven days of jam packed adventure, three half marathon trail runs in totally different landscapes- a chance to meet some of the inspirational Malawians we work with, a wildlife safari and kayaking on Lake Malawi.
Highlights
Sports Coaching at a local primary school
Dawn start to the mighty 25km and +1,000m elevation- up and down Mulanje Mountain trail run.
The village 5km run with 100’s of children.
Trail running 25km across the beautiful Zomba Forest Reserve
Watching the elephants on the riverboat safari.
Final 25km trail run along the shores of Lake Malawi.
Snorkelling in Lake Malawi.
Purpose
Our Purpose for this years expedition is raising funds and awareness for Malawi’s Paralympic committee. They currently work off an annual budget of $10,000 and are massively underfunded and underdeveloped.
Groups of local Paralympic members and athletes will be joining you for your three different runs.
We hope to raise £10,000 but more importantly show you the incredible work of this organisation. By running alongside some of the Paralympic athletes you will understand all the more how vital it is to help this underdeveloped section of sport in Malawi.
“The runs were out of this world with such varied terrain and views and the projects we visited were an eye-opener to life in Malawi, the hardships of every day but also the sheer friendliness and enjoyment on the faces of the amazing people that we met.”
Expedition Outline
Day 1: Arrive and Acclimatise
Day 2: City run with local running group, school visit.
Day 3: Mulanje Mountain Trail Run (25km)
Day 4: 5km Village Run, Afternoon Waterfall Visit
Day 5: Zomba Forest Trail Run (23km), Conservation Visit
Day 6: Wildlife Safari/Riverboat Safari, School Visit
Day 7: Lake Malawi Trail Run (23km), Kayaking/Snorkelling
Day 8: Depart or further travel
What to expect from the Orbis Trail Challenge
Every event begins at dawn to beat the heat of the day.
Event 1: Mulanje Mountain.
The first trail run is a 25km very rugged mountain climb/run. It is very hard to describe but imagine part run, part scramble, part hike! 25km and 1,000metres elevation. The way down can be slippy and expect it to be tough on your knees. It can take between 4hrs-9hrs. Absolutely stunning scenery- take a go pro if you can and practice on rough terrain.
Event 2: Zomba Forest Reserve.
Take on some stunning trails weaving in and out of the beautiful forest reserve. Less hilly than Mulanje and more chance to get into your groove whilst still providing taxing hills and river crossings. A beautiful 23km route starting and finishing at your hotel. Expect 2hr-4hrs.
Event 3: Lake Malawi
A flat route beginning and ending at Chembe village. The perfect final run, mix of sandy tracks, fields and little lanes- the Lake Malawi trails will be full of hustle and bustle as the community wakes. You may well be accompanied by lots of children too!
Your Support Team: Each run sees a different set of running guides. Our local runners are all from that particular area and have extensive knowledge of the trails. They will become your best friends very quickly and will ensure everyone makes it round safely. We also have local rescue teams dotted across the trails providing refreshments, checking all is well with the team and informing our team medic if there is a problem. Your Orbis/RSC support team will wait at the start/finish and have radio contact with the check points.
Our team in 2018 chat about their experience taking on the inaugural Sport with a Purpose Orbis Challenge in Malawi.
Watch Dame Kelly Holmes as she takes on The Orbis Challenge - Sport with a Purpose event in Malawi. 2018.
Dame Kelly Holmes talks about her experience on The 2018 Orbis Challenge- Sport with a Purpose event.
Stay a little longer.
We want to show you every bit of this region of Africa because it is simply amazing! Let us know how many days you can add on and we can help you plan- take a local guide or pick up car and head off on a self drive adventure.
Wildlife Safari
We would recommend two add on nights at the beautiful Majete Wildlife Reserve. The reserve now has The Big Five and offers a combination of 4 x 4 game drives and river boat safaris. The lions are a highlight!
Lake Malawi
The Lake of Stars. Eco-Lodges for luxury retreat, back packers for some local action, kayaking adventures or scuba diving courses with the Cyclid Fish, the lake is an essential part of your Malawi to-do list. Our favourite place is Mumbo Island!
Purpose
Use your time in Malawi to Travel with a Purpose. Get involved with one of our linked communities, share your business skills with a Malawian entrepreneur or visit a local family on our village homestay air b n b scheme.
Adventure
We want you to see the whole country! And if you have the time then do head North. Northern Malawi is beautiful, wild, an adventurers paradise. National Parks, Plateaus, Lake shore and stunning rural communities. Explore by 4 x 4 self drive, guided or motorbike!
Further Information
Your Team
Joining you on your Orbis Trail Challenge team will be a group of 20-30 people all who have applied and been selected for their past sporting experience, sense of adventure, humility and team spirit. It is not a race! We try and keep our group sizes relatively small so you all really get to know each other but also can have your own time too. Rooming will be done in twins but at some lodges you can request a single room which we can organise at an additional cost. Integral to your team will be your local support team comprising of local runners, drivers, a Head Guide, medic and assistant support team.
Costs, Inclusions and Payment
Travelling to hidden gems of the world can be pricey. Your tourism dollars go miles in Africa and provide employment for our Malawian staff. suppliers and support for our community links. Our prices are competitive whilst also reflecting the incredible Orbis service you get pre/post travel and the back up support we offer during your time in Malawi. So dig deep…it will be worth it- stay as long as you can!
The cost of The Orbis Trail Challenge is £2,300 (excluding flights). Flights are around £600-£900- we can help you source these if needed. This price covers everything in country - all accommodation, activities, guides, porters and food. Your tips, visas and drinks (alcohol) are additional.
You need a 20% deposit to secure your place. From there we will try and be as flexible as we can with a payment plan that suits you.
