East Africa

Rwanda & Malawi – August 2023 & February 2024

Donette and Todd spent the later part of July and the first half of August, 2023 in East Africa. The original plan had been to climb in Kenya, Malawi and Rwanda. Due to political unrest in Kenya, the duo only spent a couple nights in Nairobi as they transited back and forth between the other two countries.

In Rwanda, they climbed on Bigogwe, establishing a new four pitch route and a single pitch route. This was done with a local tour guide, Ngabo Alexis, who they partnered with. Todd & Donette also spent two days trekking to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Very close encounters were had with two different gorilla groups. In February 2024, the Swains brought Ngabo to Joshua Tree where he met with rangers, guides and teachers, saw public schools and climbed.

In Malawi, Donette & Todd worked with local Malawian climbers to develop routes at Mulundi. They established a total of four routes with local climber, Shalom. The trio also went to two prehistoric rock art sites at the World Heritage Site of Chongoni, near Dedza.