Embracing Tranquility at Zomba Forest Lodge
Disconnect from your phones only to connect with the lush greens
of the Zomba Plateau and the endless blue sky playing hide and seek
with the mist to make you feel like you are walking through clouds.
Explore the charm, serenity and tranquility of this hidden gem in Zomba.
Destination:
Home Away From Home
Retreat to the charming family-run colonial estate on the edge of the Zomba plateau, away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. This quaint cottage serves as an ideal gateway for serious hikers and nature enthusiasts alike. With a limited number of rooms, this intimate lodge ensures complete privacy for miles, creating a perfect setting for a romantic escape or a break from the routine of everyday life.
Take a moment to anticipate the rustic experience, embracing traditional cooking and a clean, simple lifestyle lit with candles, lamps and solar lanterns. The absence of electricity is a blessing as you are forced to disconnect from technology and are engulfed by the woodlands and comforted by the cozy logs of fire, especially during the chilly winter.
Destination:
Hikers Heaven
Nestled just below the Zomba Plateau, the lodge is a haven for hiking enthusiasts. There are a range of trails within the property spanning roughly 3.5km or adventure seekers can venture out to explore Zomba Plateau that can cover anywhere from 3km to 26km depending on the stamina, interest and weather conditions.
We decided to explore a medium level hike from Zomba Forest Lodge to the Williams Falls. The hike took us nearly 4 hours, although regular walkers can complete the hike in 3 hours. The nature trail traces the wooded edges all the way down to the old road and towards the Sunbird Hotel, passing through the Trout Farm and the William Falls and finally circling back to the Mulunguzi reservoir. The picturesque route is great to explore ancient fern trees, dragon trees, Malawi’s national tree, the Mulanje Cedar making it very enchanting.
There are a few other popular trails such as the Emperors and Queens View Point Trails, Enchanted Forest, Chingwe’s Hole and more.
Having explored a very minute part of the plateau I am preparing myself for the one trail that caught my attention and that is the Super Hike. The trail as the name suggests is the longest hike that can take over 8+ hours and is roughly 26km. Starting from Sunbird Ku Chawe hotel, the trail continues to Chingwezi Hole, Songani Lookout, Emperors and Queens Views, Chagwa Dam and Peak, coming down to Williams Falls and finally coming back to the trail. The trail and day long hike is known for its adventurous allura and scenic vistas while ascending to the highest point of the Zomba Plateau.
Hoping to achieve this target next year!
For more information about the various trails of Zomba Plateau click here
Destination:
Taste the culinary delight
One of the highlights of our stay at Zomba Forest Lodge was without a doubt the food made with so much love and care. The set menu prepared with fresh produce, sourced either from the kitchen garden or the local community was pure delight. Each meal was noteworthy, as each flavour was paired beautifully with the ingredients.
What made the dining experience memorable was the family style meals. All house guests sat at the same long table sharing and passing the food, making it an intimate and familiar experience. Dinners in particular were special after a long day of adventurous hikes, we would nurse our sore muscles while sipping subtle cocktails and devouring the food by the soft shade of the candles and the glow of the moonlight.
Destination:
Views for days
Every direction your eyes turn to is a view worth capturing, the setting sun or the rising moon, the lush greens, or the clear blue sky, the misty clouds, the curvy trails, everything is an explorers dream and a photographers paradise.
There is something very special about the vivid colours coming together and the freshness and slight chill in the air that feels like a warm blanket around you. You can never get bored just simply sitting in one spot and staring out, you would just wish you had more time to stare even more.
We started our return journey filled with heavy hearts as the beauty in front of us was immeasurable.
Head to Zomba Forest Lodge for an unforgettable experience nestled in nature.
Check out their Website for more Details:
https://www.zombaforestlodge.com/
Reach them via Email at:
Or Call/WhatsApp at:
+265 (0) 888 573 325 (Petal)
+265 (0) 884 901 709 (Tom)
