NYIKA NATIONAL PARK

Nyika is a cross-border reserve that straddles Zambia and Malawi. Encompassing the beautiful Nyika Plateau, which rises around 2 000m / 6 500ft above sea level, it is part of the Southern Rift montane forest and grassland eco region. This mix of habitats, fed by dramatic cloud build-ups over the summer rainy season, allows for plains game to thrive.

The higher elevations comprise open undulating grasslands with incised valleys, creating panoramic views, slopes of wildflowers, rolling green hills, rocky outcrops and small, tropical forests. Due to the elevation of the Nyika Plateau, it is pleasantly warm during the day as opposed to the intense heat of the valley below. The topography is responsible for the Chisanga waterfall, which is part of the North Rukuru River.

Nyika’s varied terrain is perfect for trekking or hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 adventures. The montane vegetation attracts large numbers of antelope like duiker, eland and roan. Over 400 species of bird have been recorded including the rare Denham’s bustard, wattled crane and red-winged francolin.

Nyika’s charm lies in the fact that there are virtually no lodges or camps, and thus very few visitors. For intrepid adventurers, it offers a unique slice of Zambia with a special collection of landscapes, views and micro-climates coming together.

MORE INFORMATION

      • Area: 3 200 km²
      • Founded in: 1966
      • Province: Northern Zambia, crossing into Malawi
      • Co-ordinates: 10°40’S 33°38’E

Anytime of the year can be good. The warm summer season is from September to May; rain generally falls between December and March. When the sun goes down, even in summer, it can get very chilly. The cold, dry season is from June to August and frosts may occur. Warm clothing is essential at this time. The best colours occur from November to March after the rains have come; the rolling brown hills turn into carpets of green and flowers spring up everywhere. Migrant birds also expand the bird population dramatically. Game viewing is, however, is better in the dry season.

Access to the park is only from the Malawian side, which is open from 06h00 to 17h00. There are various ways to get to Nyika depending on which season you go and what kind of vehicle you have. In the dry season (April to October) the park can be reached in a normal 2WD from Chipata, via Lundazi. Cross over the border into Malawi via Mzimba and Mzuzu and then onto the plateau.

You can also approach from Mpika in Zambia then on to Isoka (stop for fuel here). Go on to Muyombe where you clear Zambian customs, then over to Katumbi in Malawi, clearing Malawian customs and to the plateau. In the wet season, if in a 2WD vehicle, you should approach from Lilongwe in Malawi via Mzimba and Mzuzu. If you’re approaching from Zambia in the wet season, a 4WD is necessary to get up to Lundazi from Chipata, through the border with Malawi at Lusuthu then on to Mzimba, Mzuzu and the Plateau. 4WD is recommended for the less accessible areas in the park but a 2WD is adequate for most roads in the park in the dry season. Extra fuel supplies also recommended, otherwise be sure to fill up at Rumphi in Malawi, just before the plateau.

Game viewing on the plateau is enhanced by the varying vegetation and panoramic views. Some of the larger animals include zebra, roan, eland, bushbuck, reedbuck, warthog and leopard. Nyika is also known for its duiker, including the rare red duiker, but they tend to be quite skittish.

Night drives offer much in the way of nocturnal activities; keen an eye out for honey badgers, bushpigs, servals, civets, genets and bushbabies along with the nightjars that take up their nightly position in the middle of the dusty roads using the open space as a hunting ground for insects.

Walking is a delight in Nyika because of the views and the great variety of wildflowers. In October, there are masses of yellow Helichrysums (or everlasting flowers), delicate pink and blue gladioli, Pelargoniums, tiny hibiscus and orchids like the spectacular blue disa that grows among exposed rocks. Dissotis shrubs give splashes of purple to the rocky outcrops. In November the proteas and giant lobelias come into bloom.

There are small patches of forest with huge buttress-rooted trees such as yellowwoods, ebonies, red-barked Hagenias and many others, some of which are draped with monkey vines or Lianas. Often blue monkeys can be heard calling in the woods.

The Chisanga Falls are a short hike down through the Brachystegia woodlands with their new spring leaves emerging in rich burgundy colours, reminiscent of autumn. The falls vary from dry season to wet but there’s almost always a good rush of water falling no matter the time of year.

Birdwatching is excellent all year round but best between October and January, when migrant birds are present. The most challenging birds to see are the forest birds such as the bar-tailed trogon, moustached green tinkerbird, mountain greenbul, yellow-streaked bulbul, starred robin and Cape batis. Look out for whit- tailed crested flycatchers and the eastern double-collared sunbird among others.

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