Kawandama Hills

Kawandama Hills Plantation is an 8,000-hectare essential oil estate established in 2009, located in the heart of the scenic Viphya Forest Reserve in Northern Malawi, near Chikangawa, Mzimba District. It is recognized as the largest plantation of its kind in Southern Africa. The plantation is situated amidst rolling hills and indigenous forests, approximately 300km north of Lilongwe and 80km south of Mzuzu.The core business of Kawandama Hills Plantation revolves around tree planting and the sustainable production of essential oils and charcoal. The company has reforested extensive areas, planting nearly 7 million trees across approximately 3,000 hectares, while also preserving thousands of hectares of indigenous woodland. Their primary crop is Corymbia citriodora, harvested annually to produce lemon eucalyptus essential oil, which is exported for use in natural insect repellents, cosmetics, perfumes, and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to Corymbia, they cultivate hardwoods, pine for timber, and other essential oil-producing plants like Lavender, Rose Geranium, and Lemongrass. The plantation operates its own distillation facility on-site and employs over 200 people.Sustainability is a key aspect of their operations. Corymbia citriodora trees are coppiced every four years, allowing them to regenerate for over three decades. Kawandama Hills was the first company in Malawi to be licensed for legal charcoal production in October 2015, aiming to produce over 2,000 tons of sustainable charcoal annually as an alternative to destructive wood harvesting. They also produce a natural sanitiser range called Virisafe and a natural mosquito and insect repellent from PMD-rich oil extracted from their plantation. The plantation also offers a self-catering guesthouse for visitors interested in hiking, birding, and relaxing in the forest environment. The indigenous woodlands within the plantation are home to diverse wildlife, including hyenas, small wild cats, wild pigs, honey badgers, and various endemic bird species.