Established in 2009, Kawandama Hills Plantation is an 8,000-hectare essential oil estate located in the heart of the scenic Viphya Forest Reserve in Northern Malawi. It is the largest plantation of its kind in Southern Africa.
We Are Passionate About Trees and Tree Planting Is Our Business
The company has reforested large areas while preserving thousands of hectares of indigenous woodland, home to a range of wildlife including hyena, small wild cats, wild pigs, honey badgers, and diverse endemic bird species. We have built a distillation facility on site and currently employ over 200 people.
To date, we have planted nearly 7 million trees across nearly 3,000 hectares. Our primary crop is Corymbia citriodora, which is harvested annually to produce lemon eucalyptus essential oil. This oil is exported and refined for use in natural insect repellents, cosmetics, perfumes, and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to Corymbia, we grow hardwoods, pine for timber, and other essential oil-producing plants.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched our own brand, Virisafe, in 2020—a locally manufactured, natural sanitiser range. We also produce a natural mosquito and insect repellent made from PMD-rich oil extracted from our plantation.
Sustainability is central to our operations. Corymbia citriodora trees are coppiced every four years, with the ability to regenerate for over three decades. Each year, we aim to produce over 2,000 tons of sustainable charcoal, offering a viable alternative to destructive wood harvesting and contributing to Malawi’s energy security.
Kawandama Hills was the first company in Malawi to be licensed for legal charcoal production in October 2015.
As an exporter, our essential oils generate valuable foreign exchange at a time when Malawi's traditional exports, such as tobacco, are in significant decline.
Our Focus
Visit our plantation
PLANTATION OPENING HOURS
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4.30PM
Saturday: 8AM – 12PM
Sunday: Closed
Address
Kawandama Hills Plantation
Near Chikangawa, Mzimba District, Northern Malawi
P.O Box 1317, Mzuzu, Malawi
DIRECTIONS
KHP is 300km North of Lilongwe and 80km South of Mzuzu.
To drive to KHP from Lilongwe, take the Airwing/Santhe road to Kasungu, and join the M1 to Raiply Timber Company past Mzimba turnoff. The KHP right turn is 4km after Raiply, but before Chikangawa Forestry Village. Continue 15km down a graded dirt road, past the Kalungulu village and on to the HQ. Veer right at any smaller diversions. Here, you’ll meet the office (Anastacia (admin) and Nebson (MD)), for guesthouse check-in.
The guesthouse is after the head office. Continue along the main dirt road, passing the head quarters and charcoal kilns to your left. At the first intersection, just a short way up, turn left and Kawandama Cottage is a few hundred metres down the road on your left. If you have a booking, our host Joseph will be there to greet you.
LILONGWE
KHP container outlets - 11 in Lilongwe & 1 in Mzuzu
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Opposite the MRA at the Forestry Department off Chilambula Road near Chipiku
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Opposite Gateway Mall Total filling station, next to the Area 47 Police Unit, by the M1 Dedza/Mchingi roundabout
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Mtandile x 2
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Area 18, 23, 25
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In Biwi
Our 5kg premium charcoal bags are also sold in Chipiku, Shoprite, Kapani FoodLovers (Kanengo area), Foodlovers (Gateway), Land’n’Lakes, Foodworths, Sana, and the FourSeasons complex.
Mzuzu
We have an outlet in Luwinga.
BLANTYRE
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5kg charcoal is currently available in Shoprite & Sana.
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Virisafe sanitisers & natural mosquito repellent are currently available in Chipiku & Sana.
