[2] The Umalila Mountains lie northwest of Lake Malawi, and trend roughly northwest-southeast.

They form part of the western edge of the East African Rift.

The Kyela Plain lies to the east and northeast of the mountains in the rift valley.

[3] The volcanic Poroto Mountains and Mount Rungwe lie to the northeast across the Kiwira River.

[5] The natural vegetation at lower elevations is miombo woodland, which extends up to 2,000 ft (610 m).