Ku Chawe Inn, Malawi

Location

The hotel is often described as Malawi’s premiere highlands resort. It’s tucked into the side of Zomba, a towering table-top mountain covered in forests, waterfalls and streams. At its base, the ex-capital of British Central Africa is a unique combination of quaint British colonial architecture and bustling local markets. A hill station of sorts, it’s the perfect escape from the African heat meaning ideal conditions for exploring the countryside by foot or on horseback.

Accommodation

It’s hard to choose between rooms with views over the hotel’s expertly maintained gardens or views of the mountain itself. Ground floor rooms come with a private terrace that opens onto the gardens while the rooms above offer better views. There are also four deluxe hillside rooms and one hillside suite that, at a higher altitude, boast especially commanding vistas of the surrounding countryside.

Dining

The Zomba Plateau is something of an agricultural boon. Rich and fertile geography support a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables including strawberries, yellow-berries and blackberries. Inspired by these local flavours, the hotel’s Mulunguzi restaurant offers a comprehensive à la carte menu full of authentic tradition alongside western favourites. The on-site bar, while complementing the restaurant with a well-selected wine list, also serves a Sunday barbecue in the resort’s terraced gardens.

Facilities

The highlight of Ku Chawe is its access to all the activities that Zomba Plateau has to offer. The hotel organises a variety of tours to suit all needs as guests can travel by mountain bike, jeep or on foot through cascading waterfalls, rolling open grassland, pine forests and caverns. Self-guided walks are also plentiful, including to Nawimbe peak where you can see as far as the Phalombe Plains – more than 100 km away.

There are also trips to Liwonde National Park where, in the dry season, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and antelope come to drink from the Shire River. Back at base, guests can relax in the hotel’s stunning garden or play a game of chess on its life-size, hand-carved wooden chess set. In the heart of Malawi’s verdant countryside, the plateau is perfect for hiking, horse riding, rock-climbing and fishing.