NYIKA PLATEAU
Chelinda Lodge - Nyika National Park, Malawi

4 Days / 3 Nights Special

Time is of the essence if you want to experience to the full the wildness and beauty of the Nyika National Park. The approach road to the Park is in itself unforgettable, climbing the escarpment to the 2 000m high plateau, and affording panoramic views across the northern stretch of Lake Malawi on the way. Four major rivers have their source high on this plateau, and descending the rugged escarpment, tumble down in spectacular waterfalls. The rolling hills of the plateau area are clothed in waving grassland, crisscrossed by small streams, and dotted with copses of rain forest growing in the folds of the hills.

Chelinda Lodge is situated in the centre of the park at 2100m. The lodge has an incredible panoramic view across the rolling hills whilst the camp overlooks a trout stocked dam. Chelinda Lodge. This new sixteen bed lodge opened in April 2000. Built entirely of timber, logs and stone in a traditional log cabin style it has one of the best views in Africa. Eight individual log cabins with a central dining area.

Each cabin has two floors. The first floor has an open plan bedroom and lounge with an ensuite bathroom (shower and bath). Queen sized beds and wing back chairs in front of an open log fire. A front door leads on to a small verandah. Upstairs there is a further living area including a writing desk underneath the front windows.

All the cabins are connected by wooden walkways and are beautifully landscaped on the hillside. The main building has a large dining room, a comfortable lounge, reception area and curio shop. The catering is of the highest standard and includes a full English breakfast, cold lunches and three course dinners with coffee and tea at any time.

Safari activities include Day & Night Game Drives and Walks. All are led by a professional safari guide. Additional activities available include Horse Riding, Mountain Biking and Trout Fishing (These activities are not included in the price). Beyond the high plateau is a broken landscape of inaccessible rugged escarpment, steep-sided valleys and isolated massifs.

Remote, wild and beautiful, this Park is the home of large herds of roan antelope, eland and reedbuck. During the rainy months, from November to May, they can be found grazing on the open grasslands of the high plateau, unconcerned and undisturbed. Later in the year they descend to the woodlands for protection from the cold. Zebra can be seen in vast numbers, alert and ever curious of visitors.

Their crazy stripes are eminently visible against the lush green backdrop of the hills. Duiker, bushbuck and the comic warthog are regularly seen, and the less common red forest duiker can, with luck, be spotted in the forest patches. As night falls over the plateau, keep a watchful eye open for the twitch of an ear, a swift movement in the bush. It could be a hyaena slinking past, a civet or a jackal after prey, a honey badger or a porcupine.

Leopards, skilled at camouflage, will only be spotted by an alert eye. You can drive round the Park's roads in the seclusion of your car, or you can take to your feet and become one with the grandeur. Walking is safe and brings Africa close. This is the best way, too, to enjoy the prolific bird life, particularly during November and December when migration brings more brilliant species to sojourn here.

On foot one can go in search of the exotic orchids, growing here in abundance. Many species have yet to be catalogued. The flamboyant Disa, the showy Satyrium, and many other genera grow here in glorious profusion, as do wild gladioli and iris. In season the slopes are carpeted by brilliant Helichrysum and alpine flowers. Trout are plentiful in the clear mountain streams, and the three dams are well stocked, so opportunities for anglers are exciting The angling season extends from September to May, and your own rod and tackle must be provided. Permits are available at the Park office.

A series of guided wilderness trails, of one to five days' duration, allow visitors to explore the most beautiful and remote areas of the Park, and on these trips camping out at night enables the wilderness-starved town dweller to recapture inner peace and harmony.

Seasons: January to March. Warm but wet (however excellent for flowers)
April to June. Cool clear days. July to August. Cool days, cold at night
September to December. Warm and Dry

The catering is of the highest standard and includes a full English breakfast, cold lunches and three course dinners with coffee and tea at any time.

Safari activities include Day & Night Game Drives and Walks. All are led by a professional safari guide.

Price Guide

Includes - accommodation, all meals, game drives and game walks,
transport from Mzuzu return.
Safari starts and finishes in Mzuzu.

Price Per Person Sharing
from £725.00

Price excludes flights to, from and within Africa, Drinks and
National Park Fees and items of a personal nature.

Additional activities available include Horse Riding, Mountain Biking and Trout Fishing (These activities are not included in the price).

Subject to availability and prices may vary without prior notice.
Flights are available from Lilongwe to Mzuzu prices start
from US$270.00 per person return.

Addittional Nights available from £185.00 per person sharing per night.

To check availability for this safari, please contact us on
UK - 08707 662 993 International - 44 1995 679 776
Priority is given to people who call us, due to the number of e-mails we receive.
holidays@safari-africa.co.uk

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Pictures in this column were taken in Malawi.

To make a booking please contact us with a depature date you would like. We will then check availablility for you.

Flights to, from and many within Africa are not included in the cost of the safari, you can check flight prices On-Line by going to our Flights page or by contacting your local travel agent or flight specialist.

If you need any help please contact us, by phone, e-mail or pop-in to see us in person.