Zomba Plateau is a rolling, patchily forested plateau rising above the eastern Rift that looms over the town, which still retains some of its old charm as the former colonial capital of Malawi. The plateau is heavily planted with pines, but several easily accessible montane forests remain with patches of Afromontaine forest, interspersed with grassland, pine plantations and, lower down, some fine Brachystegia woodland. Using Zomba as a base, Liwonde National Park, Mulanje Mountain, Blantyre and Lengwe National Parks can be explored as easy day trips. 

Seasons: Two seasons can be recognised; the dry season from Apr-Nov, and the wet season from Dec-Mar. A brief hot and humid period occurs between Nov-Dec . The best time to visit Malawi is in the dry season, between April and November. 

Birdlife: You may see: White-eared Barbet, Thyolo Alethe, White-winged Apalis, Olive-breasted Mountain and Placid Greenbuls, the strikingly yellow flavigularis race of Bar-throated Apalis, Evergreen Forest Warbler, African Yellow Warbler, Malawi Batis, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, African Citril, Blue-spotted Dove, Mozambique Batis and Red-throated Twinspot, the taxonomically disputed Speckle-throated Woodpecker, Wood Owl, Eastern Sawwing, White-starred Robin, Black-headed Apalis, East African Swee, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Green Twinspot, Bertram's Weaver, Livingstone's Turaco and on the forest edges Red-backed Mannikin. 

Precautions: Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.