OFF TO ZOMBA

 

In this post I'm taking you all the way to Zomba in Malawi, I wont give any of those introductions about the city or its history wikipedia has enough of that, instead I'll take you down the road less travelled (or at least I hope I'm introducing something new).

So in this post I'll tell you about the hike we took although it was more of a walk than a hike up Zomba mountain from Sunbird Kuchawe (the inn at the top of the mountain) all the way to Emperor's view (spot on the mountain that was visited by Emperor Haile Selassie I). Its actually not that far it takes about an hour and a half but if you wish to drive there my only advice is it better be a car with high coverage because the road is quite rocky but it makes for an interesting walk though, HERE WE GO......

Now after taking off the first stop we made was at Williams falls

Williams falls which is located 30-35 minutes from Kuchawe, these falls are simply spectactular,,, sorry for the over simplification but they just leave me speechless, all I can think about is how much I want to jump in the really cold water on a very sunny day (yes the water is cold even on hot days), let me show you a picture before we move on even though it doesn't do them any justice but its all I have.

Tell me you're not tempted to just jump under that fall

Okay so from here there aren't any other stops I can think of except for one place that doesn't actually have a name but I think its perfect for a picnic or simply a short rest, its about a kilometre away from emperor's view right on the side of the road so you cant miss it just please no littering the place is too untouched so there isn't anyone around to pick up after you.

That brush of pine stretches for I don't even know how long

The air around here is fantastically fresh and the views all around are as if they were taken straight out of a movie scene, there are a few patches inside where the sun goes through but otherwise its as if the pine was planted there specifically for the seclusion.

Okay now from here we get back on our 30 minute journey to emperors view (sorry for the time inconsistencies but I'm a very inconsistent walker so my times are definitely not normal but slower than most), now as we're approaching emperors view we are greeted by sign posts directing us on where to go.

Finally we arrive (breathing like a duck at this point because I cant remember the last time I exercised)

The views from up here are just magnificent and its one of the few places thats not plagued by trash and that is thanks to the Rastafarians that look after this place, they are the ones that placed the signs and trim the grass and the likes and I think thats because this place holds a very special place in their hearts

Tisamale Chilengedwe

This translates to lets look after nature, and the bottom Tayani zinyalala umu is throw trash in here, now I understand that a bin doesn't mean anything but the fact that there are people who make these and empty them out to god knows where without asking for anything in return is pretty admirable.

Now after resting here for a bit and taking in deep breaths of the fresh crisp air we decided to head back but instead of taking the same way back we took a shorter route that cuts through the mountain, keep in mind if you want a good hike this is the way to use up the mountain heading to emperors view and this route is the road less travelled except by the locals around there, partly because its like a maze and is only accessible by foot so you definitely need a guide for this one but google maps will do on the road route.

After walking for a bit we came across this gem underneath.

Chagwa dam

This dam is right up there and its natural without any human intervention, the only human activity here is the fishing that takes place here, apparently theres plenty of trout here. This dam is truly a hidden gem that made me wish I was more courageous so I could just jump in there for a bit......In case you haven't noticed I love being in water.

Now let me leave you here and hope I have convinced you enough to visit, trust me its a beautiful place