Dedza
A cool highland town near the Mozambican border, known for its pottery and as the base for Chongoni.
Updated 2 September 2026
Dedza sits at around sixteen hundred metres in the highlands south of Lilongwe, which makes it the highest town in Malawi and noticeably cooler than the lakeshore, with pine plantations on the hills around it. Dedza Pottery has worked here since the 1980s producing tableware and tiles and has become a standard stop on the road between the two cities, with a café attached. The Chongoni rock art sites are a short drive away.
What's there
- The pottery - the workshop producing tableware and tiles since the 1980s.
- The altitude - the highest town in Malawi at around sixteen hundred metres.
- The pine hills - the plantations covering the slopes around the town.
- The Chongoni access - the rock art sites a short drive from the town.
When to go
May to October is the dry season. Nights at this altitude are cold in the dry season. The pottery is open daily.
What to expect
The town itself has little beyond the pottery and the road traffic. Nights are genuinely cold and accommodation often lacks heating. The rock art needs a separate trip and a guide.
Nearby
Chongoni is nearby, and Lilongwe is north.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q1182266, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Dedza
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.