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. 7 DAY / 6 NIGHT: MALAWI HORSE SAFARI IN NYIKA PLATEAU ....... LAND ONLY PRICES on request

 
The wild, open nature of the plateau attracts visitors who come to view the birds and animals, study the flowers, walk or ride across the hills and valleys, or simply sit in the sun and absorb the magnificent scenery.  Laurens van der Post described the 2607 metre high Nyika Plateau, where the rolling montane grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, broken only by the occasional patch of evergreen forest, whilst the lower slopes are hidden by extensive miombo woodlands. "It was so unlike anything else. It was deep in the heart of Africa, filled with the animals of Africa, and yet it was covered with the grasses the flowers and colors of Europe."

The dry, cool season is May - October with the main rains in January and February. The Nyika is free from malaria.

Day 1-2 Chelinda Lodge
The first 2 nights will be spent at Chelinda Lodge in very comfortable en suite rooms. If you arrive in time an afternoon ride will allow you to get a feeling of the Nyika and your horse.

The next day riding out from Chelinda will give you time to get acquainted and comfortable with your horse and allow us to match the correct horse with each rider. With luck you will be able to ride alongside eland, roan and zebra and visit the mystical Lake Kaulime.

Day 3-4 North Rumphi Tented Camp.
Today we ride northwards over the grasslands, crossing the Dembo River and climbing Mpopoti Peak. Most of the time we will follow ancient game paths that follow the contours of the hills and lead us to suitable crossing places of the numerous streams and bogs. After several hours in the saddle we will find the camp all ready and waiting alongside the North Rumphi River. Hot showers and cold drinks are a welcome sight.

From the camp there are marvelous views of Nganda Mountain (the highest peak in the Nyika) and the next day we will ride to the top for spectacular vistas in all directions - to the west across Lake Malawi to the hills of Tanzania and to the south back over the Plateau stretching away into the distance. On return to camp a cold refreshing swim in the Rumphi Waterfall will be inviting.

Day 5-6 North Rukuru Tented Camp.
We will slowly make our way up the steep sided North Rumphi Valley to its headwaters before traversing the high plateau to find the camp on the North Rukuru River close to the dramatic western escarpment that drops 2000 feet to the villages below. From here we can ride along this escarpment to the Chisanga Falls that drop off the edge as the river turns and flows towards Lake Malawi. To canter here is anybody's highlight. The vegetation changes to closed canopy woodland as we drop in altitude and there are excellent chances of seeing baboon and klipspringer.

Day 7 Chelinda Lodge.
A leisurely ride back to Chelinda in time for lunch. More and more wildlife will be seen as we get closer to camp and in the evening a sundowner drive can be taken with a chance to find hyena, serval, jackal and leopard after dark.

Prices..................................Please contact us for a detailed quote.

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EXTEND YOUR SAFARI ADVENTURE TO:

Zanzibar or Victoria Falls or Mombasa and Lamu Islands or Seychelles Islands

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