Nyika National Park

Nyika National Park is famous for its collection of wild flowers. Over 120 species of orchid grow in the area, especially after the rains, from November to April. The park is situated on the Nyika plateau, an elevated area of hills, about 2,000 m (6,560 ft) above sea level. The hills are covered with mopane grassland and mimbo woodland, as well as lush rainforest. Nyika is Malawi's largest national park.

Wildlife in the park include blue monkey, reedbuck, roan antelope, wart hog and zebra, as well as over 250 bird species.

It is not allowed to enter the park on foot, but once inside you can leave your vehicle and walk around as much as you feel like. If you are planning to hike longer distances you will have to arrange that at the entrance gate, as a ranger will accompany you on these walks. It is possible to rent horses, which will get you closer to the game than on foot or by car.

The town of Rumphi, 330 km north of Lilongwe, is the closest settlement to the park's main entrance gate (Thazima Gate). If you don't have your own transportation, the only way to see Nyika National Park is by bus! The daily bus between Mzuzu and Chitipa runs through the park.

The area, to the west of the road that traverses the top of the Nyika Plateu, is in Zambia, but it can only be reached using the road through Malawi. The Zambian side of the park is also called Nyika National Park. It features a resthouse from colonial times. It offers marvellous views to the west. The resthouse used to be the only accommodation in the park, but it was closed in 1998.