The Nyika National Park is in fact the oldest and largest in the country and covers a vast 3,000 sq km. Its main feature and attraction is the Nyika Plateau with its round hills broken by deep valleys, making up a large portion of the Park. Nyika actually translates to “where the water comes from” since the plateau’s high elevation makes it wetter than much of the surrounding area. Sweeping wide valleys, wildflower-spotted grasslands, and dense pine forests provide spectacular views on clear days.
This mountainous region with its rugged escarpments makes it an ideal spot for walking and hiking. Mountain biking, trout fishing, and horseback safari tours are offered here as an unusual, but exquisite alternative to view the numerous wildlife that call this Park home. More conventional 4X4 excursions are also offered. On any given day, one can be sure to spot zebras, bushbucks, roan antelopes, reedbucks, elephants, buffalo, warthogs, jackals, klipspringers, hyenas, and leopards. The Park has one of the highest densities of leopards in Central Africa in addition to containing over 400 species of birds. Nearby, the top of the Livingstonia Escarpment offers a spectacular view of the evergreen forest, woodland vegetation and the breathtaking Manchewe Falls, which spill over the escarpment.