Zomba town is the old colonial British capital of Malawi and has a fascinating market and several interesting historical sites. Zomba Plateau nearby is a wonderful area for hiking and birdwatching and has stunning views over the region.
A trip around the market in Zomba offers wonderful photographic opportunities - this being one of the busiest and most colourful in Malawi. Witchdoctors, tin smiths and second hand clothes stalls literally wedged in between the piles of freshly picked fruit and vegetables.
Zomba Plateau is divided into two halves by the Domasi Valley. The southern half having a road right to the top, where there is a stunningly situated hotel, the Ku Chawe Inn. Perched
Lake Chilwa sits about 30km east of the town and is a shallow lake surrounded by reeds and marshes. It is the second largest of Malawi's lakes and is excellent for birdwatching.
The development of Zomba region as the old British Capital is entirely due to the temperate climate on the plateau. The mountain was settled by the British in the late 19th century as a respite from the heat of the low lying plains, in a similar fashion to the hill stations of India. Zomba Mountain is in fact a large massif and offers spectacular scenery, forests of both plantation pine and indigenous woodland, clear running streams and excellent walking and birdwatching. Within easy walking of Ku Chawe Inn are the Mulunguzi Dam, and the Trout Farm and for those with a 4 wheel drive vehicle, or for very fit hikers we suggest visits to Chingwe's Hole, Emperor's View and Queen's View lookout point.
