Chelinda Camp

Established within Nyika National Park by Central African Wilderness Safaris — a family-run operator founded in 1987 — Chelinda Camp overlooks a clear-water dam on the edge of the High Nyika Plateau. The Plateau sits at high altitude in northern Malawi; rolling montane grassland stretches to distant ridges, and pine forest backs the camp. Six en-suite twin-bedded rooms share a main lodge with dining, bar, lounge, and fireplace. Four self-catering chalets hold two bedrooms apiece, each with a bathroom, lounge, dining area, small kitchen, and fireplace; these accommodate private groups with their own guide.

Day and night game drives cross the open grassland and ancient forest, tracking zebra, eland, roan antelope, serval, and leopard. Hiking trails range from one to five days; the Livingstonia Trail descends from Chelinda to the Livingstonia Mission on the Khondowe plateau, passing through montane forest and smallholder coffee villages. Mountain-bike routes thread the gravel road network; maps are provided at camp. Fly-fishing runs from the dam's deck and banks — the water is stocked with rainbow trout, introduced during a 1960s pine-plantation project. Night drives cross the Plateau after dark, spotting hyaena and serval, then stop on the airstrip to take in the night sky.

Nyika holds over 400 bird species, including Bar-tailed Trogon, Chapin's Apalis, and Denham's Bustard. Temperatures drop after dark; fireplaces warm the lodge and chalets each evening.