A Brief Guide to Nyika National Park

Dramatic Scenery

Brachystegia woodland turns to rolling hills, isolated ridges, and small pockets of forest. Take a stroll up to the highest peak, Nganda, and enjoy the 360-degree view.

Add to this dramatic clouds, zebra stripes, glittering pools, gigantic boulders, and a flash of a trogon’s colourful plumage as he swoops past.

Amazing Plants

Plants with purple velvet leaves, succulents, and orchids make Nyika a botanist’s dream. The park is home to masses of wild alpine flowers which burst into life after the wet season, including exquisite dieramas, gladioli, protea, and kniphofia.

Around 200 species of orchid alone grow on the plateau. At the entrance to the park, you can also buy delicious honey made from the wild flowers of Nyika, supporting the local communities surrounding the park.

Abundant Wildlife

At first, you may wonder where all the animals are, but the further you venture into the park, the more they seem to welcome you with their chilled presence—except the reedbuck, which are a little nervous with their jumps and screechy warning calls. Nyika is ideal for spotting roan antelope, with their rabbit-like ears and strikingly animated faces blending perfectly into the fairytale grasslands.

Other possible sightings include elephants, Crawshay’s zebra, bushbucks, elands, warthogs, klipspringers, jackals, and duikers. Birdwatchers will be delighted to know that more than 400 species of bird have been recorded.

Predator-wise, Nyika is home to large numbers of leopards and hyenas. If you’re lucky, you may glimpse a leopard skulking in the shadows beneath the trees, even during daytime thanks to the temperate climate. At night, hyenas may even visit your campsite, sniffing around your tent.

Budget Safari

Nyika is very reasonably priced. Camping at Chelinda costs just $10, and the facilities are well equipped. A roaring fire awaits your arrival, there is constant hot water, a dover stove, and a sheltered area for your tent. They even provided us with a solar-powered torch to use in the evening.

In comparison to park fees in neighbouring countries:

• Ruaha National Park: US $40 per vehicle and US $30 per person per day
• The Serengeti National Park: US $30 per vehicle per day and $50 per person per day
• Nyika National Park: US $5 per vehicle per day and $10 per person per day

All parks are unique, but this is something to consider if you’re planning your safari budget.

Conservation

During our visit, Nyika was pretty empty, which was great—there weren’t seven cars crowding a single leopard (we were the only car there). However, Nyika needs more visitors to help preserve it. It is a gem, and by spending your holiday money there, you contribute to the conservation of the park and help secure its future for many years to come.

The Nyika-Vwaza Trust is an independent organisation involved in environmental and wildlife conservation in the Nyika area. Wilderness Safaris is partnering with the Trust in its endeavours.

For more travel inspiration, read our guide on Kgalagadi National Park.