The Zomba Plateau rises to over 2,000 metres above the town of Zomba in southern Malawi, a flat-topped massif of forest, streams, and waterfalls that provides a welcome escape from the heat of the lowlands below. The plateau is cooler by ten degrees than the surrounding plain, and the cedar and pine forests at the top hold trout streams, walking trails, and viewpoints looking out over Lake Malawi to the east and the Shire Valley to the west.
The plateau was developed as a hill station during the colonial period, when the British found its climate more hospitable than the lowlands. A few of those era's buildings survive near the summit. The Mulunguzi Dam provides water and a quiet spot for walking, and the forest trails range from easy strolls to longer circuits that circle the plateau's edge. The Chagwa Falls and Emperor's View are the most visited points, but the plateau is large enough to feel genuinely remote away from the main tracks.
The town of Zomba at the plateau's base was Malawi's capital until 1974. From there a winding road climbs to the top, offering vertiginous views back down as you ascend. Most visitors come as a day trip from Blantyre or Zomba, though accommodation is available on the plateau itself for those who want to stay longer.
