HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Malawi College of Forestry and Wildlife was established in 1952 in Dedza town. In 1958 the college was transferred from Dedza town to its present location at Chongoni. The college was established with the mandate to provide high quality training to serve the needs of communities, groups, individuals, and organisation in effective and profitable sustainable management of their forest, trees and wildlife resources.
The College is accredited to National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). It is the main training service provider for vocational forestry and wildlife training in Malawi. As stipulated in the National Forestry Program for Malawi it is responsible for training front-line staff and managers for the natural resource management sector focusing mainly on forestry and wildlife. It offers certificates and diploma qualifications for 2 and 3 years respectively. In the past it has been primarily responsible for training government staff both new recruits and in service. However, there is now a recognition that the college needs to expand its service horizon to meet the needs of clients from the whole sector including NGO, private sector, communities and individual. it is also responsible for conducting tailor-made courses to different stakeholders in natural resources management. MCFW has been a lead facilitator in developing Collaborative Management Agreements between the state and Communities surrounding Forest Reserves.
CHONGONI ROCK ART
In the lush and beautiful forested granite hills just north-west of Dedza, in Central Malawi, is the Chongoni Rock Art Area. Numerous natural shelters house ancient rock paintings which constitute the densest cluster of rock art found in central Africa. There are paintings by BaTwa hunter-gatherers who lived in this area from the late Stone Age onwards, and also show the tradition of farmer rock art, which is very rarely found. The symbols in the art have strong female associations and still have cultural relevance today for the Chewa people. Some of the 127 sites are still active locations for rituals and ceremonies. The area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This amazing collection of preserved ancient arts records and the traditions of the Chewa agriculturalists and their cultural history right up to the twentieth century. From their early transition form foragers to food producers, through Ngoni invasions, right up to the arrival of the colonial Europeans.
The numerous sites and caves are dotted across the Chongoni Forest Reserve which runs alongside the M1 road just to the north-west of Dedza. There is new constructed visitor facilities at Malawi College of Forestry and Wildlife, where guides can be found. Head to Office of Antiquities at MCFW campus for further advice and guidance. #malawitourism
KAZELA GUEST HOUSE
Located at the foot of a rocky Chiwawo hill, Kazela guest house offers a unique quiet and natural environment to relax. Kazela offers accommodation suitable for backpackers. It provides a convenient place for hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and for visits to the Chongoni Rock Art.
Rooms - four with double bed and ensuite bathroom and toilet, four with single bed and shared bathroom and toilet. Breakfast can be provided from the college cafeteria.
Facilities include:
Restaurant with seating for 20. Main dishes such as chicken with nsima, chips or rice, hot drinks and snacks available.
Eds Bar, a separate facility located in the accommodation, provides soft drinks, beers and spirits. It is open till 9PM.
Laundry service
Conference facilities that can accommodate up to 20 people is available.