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"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 colours of Europe." So Laurens van der Post described the 2607m (8553ft) high Nyika Plateau. The plateau is home to an amazing and unique variety of birds and animals. Here you can study the wild flowers, walk or ride across the hills and valleys, fish the lakes or simply sit in the sun and absorb the magnificent scenery in the very comfortable Chelinda Lodge.   Chelinda Lodge has one of the most magnificent settings in Africa. Accommodation is in eight individual, very spacious and comfortable en-suite log cabins, each with its own sitting room and log fire. The fires are needed as it can be cold at night at this altitude. The log cabins surround the main dining area and are connected by raised wooden walkways. The main lodge buildings, also constructed of timber, are attractive, spacious and welcoming. There is a convivial bar, large terrace deck and dining room. The food is imaginative and very fresh with excellent plateau grown vegetable, and fish from the forestry dams. The lodge is managed by David and Robyn Foot who with their dedicated team have nurtured and protected this beautiful reserve over the years. They are brilliant hosts and have many interesting and amusing stories to tell.   Activities include game drives, night drives, walking safaris, riding (special extended riding safaris are offered in addition, please ask for details), trout fishing, mountain biking and wilderness trails. As the lodge is situated at a mean height of over 2,000 metres, this guarantees a permanently temperate climate which is of particular contrast to the more humid lakeshore areas of Malawi. Game that can be spotted includes: Burchells zebra, roan antelope, common reedbuck, eland, bushbuck, warthog, leopard, hyena, side-striped jackal and serval. Birdlife is prolific including churring and mountain cisticolas, red-tufted malachite sunbird, Fulleborns black bou-bou, bar-tailed trogon, mountain nightjar and several species of bulbul which occur deep in the canopy of the forests. The dry, cool season is May - October with the main rains in January and February. The Nyika is free from malaria. This is one of our favorite African destinations and it combines extremely well with Lake Malawi beach lodges and with Kazuni Safari Lodge to see game. Style Mountain Game Lodge Air/Con No Dining Yes, full board Children Yes, by arrangement No. of Bedrooms 8 Pool No Activities 4x4 game drives, night drives, walking safaris, portered safaris, fly camping, riding (see Nyika Horse Safaris), trout fishing mountain biking and wilderness flower trails. Day trips to see cave paintings, the Juniper forests, dramatic viewpoints and the spectacular Chisanga Falls that drop 150 metres off the western escarpment. Price Range From £155/$290 pppn Find Similar Properties