Dzalanyama is a scenic wonder of Malawi, a broad mountain forest just south-west of Lilongwe. The reserve spans steep, rocky hills (rising up to ~1,650m) with escarpments, rivers and waterfalls. Nearly the entire area is lush miombo woodland (Brachystegia - Julbernardia), and you'll often hear the distant rush of mountain streams. It's also a key water catchment for Lilongwe, with clear pools that invite a swim after a day of birding. Overall, Dzalanyama's raw beauty and biodiversity make it a rewarding spot for eco-tourists and nature lovers.
For birders, Dzalanyama is a star attraction. Malawi boasts over 650 bird species, and Dzalanyama alone is considered one of the best miombo birding spots in the world. The intact forest here shelters many miombo-specialist birds that are hard to find elsewhere in Malawi. This combination of rich birdlife and dramatic scenery keeps visitors coming year after year.
In Dzalanyama you can expect to encounter a variety of miombo woodland specialists. Notable birds include:
Other goodies often turn up, too: Miombo Tit, Pale-billed Hornbill, Schalow's Turaco and Souza's Shrike have been recorded, as have range-restricted gems like Lesser Seedcracker and Rufous-bellied Tit. All of these are must-haves on any Malawi bird checklist.
Dzalanyama is classic miombo woodland: almost entirely covered with Brachystegia-Julbernardia forest. These trees are semi-deciduous - they shed leaves in the dry season and flush bright new leaves before the rains - so the forest looks very different by season. The canopy here is open enough that sunlight reaches the forest floor, making it easy to walk and spot birds high overhead. In fact, guides call Dzalanyama “one of Malawi's premier birding localities, especially for Miombo species”. You'll often see mixed flocks of tits, flycatchers, warblers and weavers moving through the trees. Even the lodge immerses you in the habitat: the thatched chalets are built right into the treetops, so you can hear the morning bird chorus from your veranda.
Summer (Nov-Apr, Wet Season): This is Malawi's hot rainy season. Northern migratory birds flood in from about November through April, and resident species are breeding. Bird activity is high (especially Nov-Dec), with many birds in fresh plumage. The forest is lush and green, but trails may be muddy in heavy rain, so early mornings are best. Overall, bird numbers and variety peak in the rainy season.
Winter (May-Oct, Dry Season): The cool dry season brings very pleasant weather. Most trees lose their leaves, opening up the canopy and making canopy species easier to spot. However, long-distance migrants have mostly departed, so you’ll see chiefly resident miombo species. Water sources can dry up, but remaining pools often attract flocks of birds. Birding is still rewarding (remember 80% of Malawi’s birds breed locally), but overall species counts tend to be lower than in summer.
Seven marked trails (from very easy walks to full-day hikes) radiate out from the Dzalanyama Forest Lodge. Each trail has its own character – some wind along streambeds and dambos, others climb ridges. Exploring all of them can turn up different species (for example, the Protea and Confluence trails follow damp gullies, while the Mukwa and Upper trails go through drier woodland).
The Forest Lodge sits on the Mataka (also “Makata”) stream, with clear pools and small waterfalls nearby. This riparian zone is excellent for water-associated birds – watch for African Paradise-Flycatcher, Mountain Wagtail and kingfishers along the stream. The nearby waterfall and plunge pools are also very scenic.
One trail climbs steeply to Kasito Rock (up to ~1,600 m). At the top, the scrubby ridge offers wide views into Mozambique and a different bird community. It’s well worth the effort – mountain nests and raptors (like augur buzzard or snake eagle) can often be spotted on the ridge, along with miombo specialties like Miombo Scrub-Robin.
On the highest peaks there’s a tiny remnant of mid-altitude forest (~75 ha) near Kasito Rock. Although small, this evergreen pocket can hold birds not usually seen in open miombo (occasionally one finds forest-warblers or cuckoos here). Guides sometimes take experienced birders up here for a chance at rare birds.
Dzalanyama is huge. It covers roughly 989 km² (around 99,000 hectares) – far larger than a city. One study calls it a “90,000+ hectare area.” The reserve stretches about 70 km along the Malawi–Mozambique highlands. In other words, it’s as big as some national parks, so there’s plenty of forest to explore. You could easily spend several days just in one section of Dzalanyama and still find new trails to hike.
Most visitors start from Lilongwe. Dzalanyama lies about 50–60 km south-west of Lilongwe, roughly a 1–1.5 hour drive. The usual route is: take the M1/M12 highway toward Mchinji, and after about 28 km (past Msundwe trading center) turn left onto the dirt road to Kachere (watch for the Dzalanyama turnoff). Follow this graded track through Kachere Village and the forest gate. The road is mostly dirt/gravel and can be rough, especially in wet weather, so a high-clearance 4×4 is recommended. Plan for stops along the way – birds are often spotted even on the roadside!
If you’re coming from Zambia, cross at Mchinji and turn east toward Lilongwe. After a short drive toward Msundwe, use the same turnoff to Kachere/D195 as above. From the Mchinji border to Dzalanyama is typically 1.5–2 hours driving. Many tours arrange a pick-up or guide from the border if needed.
Lodging at Dzalanyama is basic and rustic but comfortable. The main option is the Dzalanyama Forest Lodge, which has 4 simple guest rooms in the main house (some with private bathrooms) and 3 thatched chalets built into the treetops. The rooms all have beds with mosquito nets, and some have en-suite bathrooms. The lodge is solar-powered with a wood stove for cooking, giving it a cozy feel. Each chalet has its own veranda overlooking the canopy, perfect for relaxing after birding. In addition, there is an eco-campsite nearby with tent sites and shared eco-toilets/showers. Meals at the lodge are usually shared family-style (simple local cuisine with a side of Malawian coffee). Because accommodation is limited, be sure to book in advance for either the lodge or campsite.
Dzalanyama is somewhat remote, so we highly recommend visiting with a local guide or tour. Our own birding tour company Nyoni Safaris includes Dzalanyama on its 15-day Malawi birding itineraries, with expert guides and 4×4 vehicles to handle the forest roads. Travelers often note that “road signs to destinations are often ambiguous” in Malawi, making a guide invaluable. One tour report even calls Dzalanyama “a birding haven, home to an exceptional array of birds”. In short, booking a guided tour (like ours) ensures you’ll hit all the birding highlights without missing anything. We can arrange transport from Lilongwe (or the border) and plan your days so you see the best of Dzalanyama’s trails.
Ready to explore Dzalanyama? Contact us to include this amazing reserve on your Malawi birding adventure, and let our experienced guides show you every special species it has to offer.