Nyika National Park
Nyika means, “Where water comes from”. The Plateau is on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list for its cultural and natural beauty.
Nyika National Park is located in the northern Malawi, is Malawi’s oldest and largest National Park covering an area of 3200 sq Km. The park covers the whole area of the plateau, a unique upland with most parts lying about 2000 m above sea level offering breath-taking views, like none other in the whole of Africa. The Park is one of Malawi’s most scenic and spectacular wilderness areas. It boosts an incredible mixture of scenery and landscapes – pristine brachystegia woodlands, mature mountain forest patches, crystal clear running streams and miles and miles of open rolling grasslands. During the rainy season over 200 types of orchid are in flower, the richest concentration of orchids in the south central Africa. The grasslands of Nyika are rich in wildflowers in other seasons.
Where To Stay
Nyika National Park offers accommodation options to cater for the needs of different types of travellers visiting the park and ensures that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the park. Chelinda Lodge is situated high on the plateau with eight appointed chalets overlooking the plateau and Chelinda Camp situated on the rolling highlands on Nyika National Park offering some beautiful views of the dam and the plateau. With comfortable accommodations and knowledgeable guides to enhance your experience, a visit to Nyika National Park promises to be an unforgettable adventure in the warm heart of Africa.
When To Visit Nyika National Park
Nyika National Park doesn’t follow the same pattern in terms of the best months to visit as other parks in the region. The wet summer months from November to May are the best months for wildlife viewing on the plateau as the weather is fair, and less cold for visitors. There tend to be more animals on the plateau at this time (some descend to lower altitudes as it gets colder).
Dry Season – May to October – Winter
There is almost no rain in the Dry season. As it gets colder, some of the wildlife move to lower altitudes. It is pleasant during the day, but very cold at night.
May – This is the beginning of the Dry season. The grass is still green and there is still a lot of water around, but precipitation has become minimal.
June & July – Little rain and the bush is drying out. These are the coldest months with daytime temperatures struggling to reach 19°C/66°F. Nighttime is cold with average temperatures around 8°C/46°F. Warm clothing for early morning and night drives is essential.
August & September – It doesn’t rain at all. The grass is yellow. It is warming up and September has an average daytime temperature of 22°C/72°F. Mornings are thankfully getting less cold.
October – Daytime temperatures keep increasing to an average of 24°C/75°F. The first rain might fall at the end of this month, but it’s difficult to predict.
Wet Season – November to April – Summer
The Wet season is summer. The higher temperatures are pleasant and, due to the altitude, it never gets too hot. Afternoon showers are common and thunderstorms are often spectacular. The sky is clear and there are a lot of wildflowers.
November – The rains usually start in November. When it comes, it’s a relief because the bush is badly in need of a long drink. The average daytime temperature is 25°C/77°F. It doesn’t rain every day, mostly falling in afternoon thunderstorms.
December, January, February & March – The wettest months bring rain most days, but not usually for the whole day. Daytime temperatures average 23°C/73°F while night and early morning temperatures average about 13°C/55°F.
April – A lovely month. The rain eases off but everything remains green and lush.