Zomba Town

Just forty miles north of Blantyre is Zomba, colonial capital of Malawi and seat of government. In a beautiful setting below the Plateau of the same name, this was the first settlement of the colonial administration. It has some interesting old buildings and monuments. The Cobbe Barracks are home to what were the King’s African Rifles (now the Malawi Rifles) and a clocktower serves as their World War I memorial. The Gymkhana Club and old Residency of the first commissioner of Nyasaland are wonderful relics of the town’s colonial past. Zomba is also home to the University of Malawi, the old parliament buildings and one of the country’s State Houses. A small botanical garden and wonderfully sited golf course make the most of the lush low slopes of the plateau. In the modern-day town, there is a bustling market that is well worth a visit. It’s the epitome of an African market  with rows of stalls selling all manner of food and goods.

Visitors come to Zomba for its colonial buildings and history and its bustling market but, primarily, as the access point up to Zomba Plateau which overlooks the town and the top of which lies a few minutes’ drive away. There are a few hotels and guest houses in Zomba town, including Pakachere Backpackers Lodge, full of character and in a beautiful location on the edge of the golf course, and the modern Hill Springs Lodge a little out of town, back on the Zomba-Blantyre road. Alternatively, not far up the Plateau slopes is the charming Zomba Forest Lodge, known for its excellent food.