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Nyika National Park travel info It was so unlike anything else. It was deep in the heart of Africa, filled with the animals of Africa, and yet it was covered with the grasses the flowers and colours of Europe.
So Laurens van der Post described the 2607 metre high Nyika Plateau, where the rolling montane grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, broken only by the occasional patch of evergreen forest, whilst the lower slopes are hidden by extensive miombo woodlands.
Being unlike anywhere else in Africa the biodiversity of flora and fauna to be found in the Nyika is fascinating and of great scientific importance. In the summer months (October - April) the open hills burst into flower - irises, gladioli and protea. Of particular interest are the are the 200 species of orchid found in the park.
Seasons
Birding is best from Nov-April. Flowers best viewed from Oct-Apr. The best time to view game is in the dry season from Apr-Nov.
Wildlife
You should see: eland, (herds of up to 300 in the summer), roan antelope (the highest concentration in Africa), zebra, reedbuck, bushbuck, klipspringer, 3 species of duiker (red, grey and blue), warthog, bushpig and blue monkey.
You may see: elephant, buffalo, kudu, Sharpe's grysbok, baboon, vervet monkey, serval and side striped jackal, spotted hyaena and leopard.
The Nyika is a must for any birdwatchers visiting Malawi with 435 species recorded due to the diversity of habitat. Grassland species include wattled crane, Denhams bustard and redwinged francolin. Forest species include such rarities as cinnamon dove, bartailed trogon, white chested alethe and olive flanked robin. And lower down in the Miombo woodland large feeding parties of birds can be found moving through the canopy (sometimes up to 15 species together) including black backed barbet, red and blue sunbird and whitetailed blue flycatcher. Many of the seventy species that occur in Malawi, but do not occur in Southern Africa are to be found here and in the Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve.
Precautions
Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.
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