Nyika National park is the largest wildlife park in Malawi and is located in the scenic hills of northern Malawi. It was established in 1965 and covers an estimated 3200sq km on the great Nyika Plateau. The park is accessed by road via Mzuzu (129km) and 68km from Rumphi town.

Nyika Plateau

Nyika plateau rises to a height of 1800m above sea level and stretches through the western border of Malawi into Zambia. Nyika literally translates into-where the water comes from and its indeed the biggest water catchment area for Malawi.

The vegetation cover on Nyika is predominantly grasslands, dense forests to the valleys, more than 200 different species of orchids and wild flowers. It is beautiful and lush scenery! The rains bring the park to life during the months of January and February.

Wildlife and Game viewing

As the largest park in Malawi, Nyika boasts of several species of mammals. The forests are home to different species of antelopes such as Lichtenstein hartebeest, kudu, reedbuck, bushbuck, duiker, sable, roan, eland, and many others. It is recorded that the park has the largest population of leopards in Africa besides other big game like zebras, elephants, buffalo and predators such as civet, genet, jackal, hyena, cat and the honey badger among others. There are also small mammals like porcupines, warthog and aardvark.

More than 300 birds are found in the park and on the Nyika Plateau. Some of the regular sights include cinnamon dove, bar tailed dove, starred robin, sun bird, wattle crane, Den Ham’s bustard and the Nyika plateau endemic birds-yellow mountain duiker, cracking cloud cistocola, mountain marsh widow and the red winged francolin among others

October to December rains brings in several flocks of water birds and woodland species from Zambia and neighboring areas. Game viewing is good in the summer months that May to November.

Activities

Since the park is a bio-diverse region, there are many adventures and activities to enjoy on the Nyika Plateau. Sightseeing is good with wildlife on game drives, hiking trails leading to the several waterfalls on the high plateau. The orchids and wild flowers bloom at the beginning of the year making an excellent trail for hikers, horse rides and mountain biking.

Trout fishing is favorite pastime for tourists on the water streams, rivers and dam although permits are required before the adventure. Nyika National park is a good place to visit all through the year but carry warm clothing for winter months of June to August

Accommodation

There is a camp near the main gate-Chilinda camp and a luxury safari lodge. The camp site has self catering camping and equipment for rent

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