Nyika National Park in Malawi (East Africa)

Nyika National Park is situated in Northern Malawi, approximately 480 km (300ml) from Lilongwe, Malawi’s political capital; and 60 km (38ml) North of Rumphi. Nyika is Malawi’s largest wildlife sanctuary, with a surface area of 3200 km² (1250ml²), essentially stretching across the entire expanse of the Nyika Plateau.  The only access to the park is through a dirt road, which branches north, off the road from Rumphi to the Katumbi border post; and winds its way up to where it forms the frontier with Zambia. On top of the plateau, a spur stretches from the east to Chelinda, the headquarters of the park.

The name Nyika in a local language denotes “where water comes from”, considering that the elevation of the Nyika Plateau affords it far greater precipitation than its environs. During the rainy season, the plateau’s top is habitually engulfed by cloud, which prompts the flowering of 200 types of orchids.

The enchanting grassland at Nyika is further adorned by captivating wildflowers, throughout the year. The awesome montane vegetation serves as an enticement for vast numbers of antelopes, from duiker to eland and roan; meanwhile zebras are in wide prevalence in the park. The park is renowned for its high concentration of leopards; and most probably hosts the densest population of leopards in East Africa. Other animals of vivid presence in Nyika include warthog, bush pig, elephant, buffalo, lion etc.

Approximately 400 species of birds have been documented in the park, notable of which are the rare Denham’s bustard, wattled crane, red-winged francolin; the latter of which is endemic to Nyika National Park.

Rewarding activities to carry out at Nyika include trekking, mountain biking, horse ridding safaris, game drives etc.

Other features of interest in the park include waterfalls, a Neolithic rock shelter, trout pools and the so-called “magic lake.” There is equally an airstrip for fly-in safaris.

Excellent accommodation in the park is provided by the Chelinda Camp, which regards itself as an accommodation establishment offering guests a truly African alpine experience, located at high altitude on the Nyikia Plateau, within the Nyika National Park in Malawi. Overlooking a crystal-clear dam with panoramic views of rolling hills, isolated ridges and open high-altitude grasslands, Chelinda Camp has access to rich pockets of wildlife endemic to this region.

The Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve of a much lower altitude is situated only 50 km (31ml) south of Nyika National Park; and numerous visitors had deemed it enriching to equally visit that national park, during their presence at Nyika.