Mzimba – Plain, Forests and Viphya Mountains

The Mzimba Plain occupies the central part of the district. The South Rukuru and its tributaries drain the plain; the Viphya Mountains extend through the district to the south and east. These geographic features divide Mzimba into a central plain with a river system and mountainous landscapes to the south and east. If you are considering a stay in Mzimba, they provide a concrete framework for understanding the destination’s landscape. When planning, you can first ask yourself whether you are particularly interested in the river landscape, the mountains or the district’s forests.

Plain, rivers and the western watershed

The border between Malawi and Zambia runs along the district’s western boundary. There, a low watershed separates the South Rukuru catchment from the Zambian Luangwa catchment. A catchment is the land from which water flows into a river and its tributaries. Here, the national border and the watershed meet, but they mark different kinds of boundaries: one political, the other hydrological. This means Mzimba’s western boundary can be understood both in terms of the national border and the division between river systems.

Forests and natural areas

Forests in Mzimba include Chikangawa Forest and Luwawa Forest. Mzuzu Nature Sanctuary offers a different connection to the landscape: a natural evergreen forest on the outskirts of Mzuzu. Mzuzu City is part of Mzimba District. The sanctuary’s location near the city distinguishes it geographically from Chikangawa and Luwawa, which are other forests in Mzimba. This allows you to distinguish the forest on the outskirts from the two other named forest areas without conflating them.

Janda Hill and its ranking

Janda Hill is listed among the activities in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve and is described as Malawi’s second-highest point. The ranking refers to the whole country and may change if elevation figures or rankings are revised. It adds a nationwide elevation comparison to the landscape descriptions.

Northern Region: Nature and culture

The broader destination of the Northern Region also includes Nyika National Park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve. Nyika National Park is home to 85 mammal species and more than 420 bird species; these figures may change as surveys are conducted and classifications are revised. Activities at Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve include wildlife viewing by vehicle and on foot. Activities listed at Nyika National Park also include trout fishing in three reservoirs and most rivers within the park, as well as trekking along the trail from Chelinda to Livingstonia Mission. If you are planning one of these Nyika activities, please check its current accessibility in advance.

Cultural and historical topics are also part of the regional context: the history of Livingstonia Mission dates back to 1894. The museum in Stone House tells the story of the arrival of Europeans in Malawi and the first missionaries. On Likoma Island, St Peters Cathedral is the principal church of the Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi.

Discover more destinations: Mzuzu, Nkhata Bay.

For the broader travel overview: Northern Region.