Into Malawi
Lake Malawi
Mvuu Wilderness Lodge
With an enchanting setting on the banks of a lagoon off the Shire River, Mvuu Wilderness Lodge is one of only two camps ...
Malawi Regions
Chelinda Lodge, Nyika Plateau, Malawi
At a Glance...
Style: Cosy, rustic, romantic country style lodge
Our opinion: Well-run, comfortable and classic and unlike any other property in the region
Accommodation: Eight log cabins, two of which are interlinked to form a family unit
And the kids? 8 years and older are welcome
Activities: Day and night game drives, nature walks and mountain biking
Season: Open year round but the best months for wildlife, birding and flowers are September - April
Highlights: Panoramic views; Rolling montane grasslands; Pine forests; Walking; Over 400 species of birds; Wild flowers; More than 200 species of orchids that flower during the rainy season
Located in the remote and beautiful Nyika National Park in the far north of Malawi
Chelinda Lodge nestles in the heart of the scenic and remote highlands of the high Nyika Plateau in the Nyika National Park, Malawi's largest park, with an average altitude over the grasslands of around 2400 metres. Sheltered by towering pine trees on one side and with sweeping views on the other, Chelinda Lodge has one of the most magnificent settings in southern Africa.
Befitting of its beautiful, remote alpine setting accommodation is in eight spacious cabins built out of pine and stone collected from the plateau. The ground floor features an open plan bedroom and lounge with fireplace for those icy highland nights, en-suite bathroom, queen-sized beds and a veranda. Upstairs there is a viewing area or room that is ideal for children.
All the cabins are connected by a walkway that is beautifully landscaped on the hillside around Chelinda Lodge. The main building has a large dining room, a comfortable lounge, bar, reception area, curio shop and outside deck where guests can sit and soak in the panoramic views of woodland patches, rolling plains and montane grasslands, often dotted with herds of eland, zebra, roan antelope and reedbuck.
The best months for wildlife, birding and flowers are the summer months of September-April. Nyika is the only 'big game' Afro-montane area in southern and south-central Africa and depending on the time of year herds of up to 300 eland and 50 roan may be spotted. Other mammals include zebra, reedbuck, bushbuck, warthog, bush pig, Nyika's legendary leopard, hyena, side striped jackal and serval.
Approximately 400 bird species occur in Nyika, many with highly restricted distributions, making it a key birding destination in Africa. Easily seen specials include Red-winged Francolin, Pallid Harrier, Augur Buzzard, Mountain Cisticola, Mountain Marsh Whydah, Blue Swallow (seasonal: August to April) and Denham's Bustard.
Botanists will delight in exploring the rolling landscapes of the central plateau which are rich in wildflowers. Over 200 types of orchid flower in the rainy season.
Activities at Chelinda Lodge revolve around day and night nature drives. Owing to the temperate nature of the park and to the long distances of some of the game drive loops a game drive can often be a whole day, departing early with packed lunches and arriving back at camp on darkness. Nyika is wonderful for trekking and mountain biking.
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