Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve, Protected mountain forest reserve in southern Malawi

Mulanje Mountain Forest Reserve covers 56,317 hectares around the Mulanje Massif, a syenite, quartz-syenite and granite block of about 500 km². The massif rises abruptly from densely populated plains at 600–700 m to a plateau at 1,800–1,900 m, topped by Sapitwa Peak at 3,002 m, Malawi's highest point.

The reserve was established in 1927 and gained UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status in 2000. This recognition highlighted its importance for conservation and scientific research.

The reserve's name comes from Mulanje, the massif the Yao and Lomwe communities live around; the mountain's forests supply firewood, farm land and medicinal plants, and the growing population's clearing for farming and fuelwood is named in sources as a pressure on the reserve. Visitors see smallholder plots and wood collection at the edges of the protected land.

The best time to hike is the dry season from May to October, when trails are easiest to walk. Local guides are available on-site and can lead visitors through different elevation zones.

The area is home to the critically endangered Mulanje Cedar, found nowhere else on Earth. It also harbors rare species like the Mount Mulanje Pygmy Chameleon, which exists only in this region.