Our company
Kawandama Hills Plantation (KHP) is a family-owned enterprise and one of the largest essential oil plantations in Southern Africa. Our primary focus is the cultivation and export of high-quality lemon eucalyptus oil. In addition, we contract-grow and distil essential oils such as lemongrass, rose geranium, Eucalyptus macarthurii, Eucalyptus radiata, and Tagetes.
In 2020, we launched our in-house brand Virisafe, starting with a natural hand sanitiser proven effective against COVID-19. Building on this success, we initiated the Repellents for Africa campaign to offer affordable mosquito repellents across the continent.
KHP is also proud to be Malawi’s first licensed legal producer of sustainable charcoal, paving the way for more environmentally responsible charcoal operations nationwide.
By 2025, our goal is to become one of the world’s leading suppliers of lemon eucalyptus oil, positioning Malawi alongside Brazil as a key global player. Domestically, our sustainable charcoal continues to gain market traction, with production targets set at 2,000 tons annually by 2030. Our commitment to reforestation and responsible land management is reinforced by ongoing tree planting and support from international grants, including two from USAID in 2016 and 2019.
Located in the Mzimba District, our plantation supports retail operations in Lilongwe and Mzuzu, where our charcoal and Virisafe product lines are available. Our products are stocked in major outlets across Malawi.
Our facilities include;
Quality distillation plant and boiler in a factory set up
Fuel storage facility, carpentry and mechanical workshops
100,000+L reservoir for nursery and distillation cooling
Office with board room, safe store and a small laboratory
Staff housing and village, meeting hall and school
Fully equipped fire fighting team and fire breaks system
Large storage facilities for agro materials and equipment
Day time staff shelter, onsite tuck shop and bakery
Fully equipped and trained security team
Kawandama goals
To be the leading essential oil and charcoal producer in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Reach an annual target of 85 tons of essential oils by 2028.
Reach a target of 2000 tons/ year of sustainable charcoal by 2028.
Guarantee quality 100% pure oils that compete on a global standard.
To be creative, innovative and a good example of responsible business.
Plant trees, harvest leaves & distill oil in harmony with our natural environment.
Develop a unique PMD-based sanitiser & repellent range that will be sold SADC wide.
Strategise to maintain a pipeline of new & collaborative initiatives & partnerships
To implement social projects sustainably and with a capable management team.
Social projects in education, infrastructure & tree planting.
Capacity building to ensure sustainability & prosperity.
Complete all our projects with success & integrity.