Zomba

Zomba is the former capital of Malawi, at the foot of the Zomba Plateau in the Shire Highlands. Established in 1885 as a planters' settlement, it became the administrative centre of the British Central Africa Protectorate (later Nyasaland) from 1891, and remained the country's capital after independence in 1964 until Lilongwe took over in 1974 — Parliament itself stayed in Zomba until 1994. It retains colonial-era government buildings from this era. Since 1974 Zomba has been a university town, home to Chancellor College, the largest constituent college of the University of Malawi. The Zomba Plateau rises dramatically to the west, offering hiking and panoramic views over the Shire Highlands.

By Car / Road

Zomba is about 1 hour north of Blantyre on the M1/M3 highway. Buses run frequently from Blantyre and Lilongwe.

• Zomba Plateau — A massive mountain plateau with hiking trails, waterfalls, trout streams, and viewpoints.

• University of Malawi — The main campus with attractive grounds.

• Colonial architecture — Government buildings from the British colonial era.

• Hike on Zomba Plateau (trails for all fitness levels).

• Visit the plateau for trout fishing and birdwatching.

• Explore the city's colonial architecture.

Zomba has guesthouses and a lodge on the plateau.

• Blantyre (1 hour south) — Commercial capital.
• Liwonde National Park (1 hour north) — Wildlife park.
• Mount Mulanje (2 hours east) — Hiking and climbing.