Nyika is Malawi’s largest national park, extending across the great plateau which is essentially a granitic dome and is one of Malawi’s most important catchment areas. The high altitude montane grasslands and forests makes it a wild, untouched and remote upland area, affording it the distinction of being the only big game Afro-montane area in south-central Africa. The vistas are immense and the rolling scenery is at its best in the rainy season when over 200 types of orchid are in flower. The Park's vegetation attracts large numbers of antelope from the diminutive duiker to eland and roan, in addition to approximately 400 bird species and one of the highest densities of leopard in Central Africa. Nyika is wonderful for trekking and mountain biking, as well as more conventional 4x4 excursions.