The plateau sits at around 2,000 to 2,600 metres above sea level, which makes it much cooler than the rest of Malawi. Rolling hills covered in montane grassland stretch in every direction, dotted with clumps of evergreen forest in the valleys. On clear days you can see for enormous distances across the African landscape.
Nyika is particularly famous for its wildflowers. Over 200 species of orchid bloom here — more than almost anywhere else in Africa. In the rainy season the plateau transforms into a carpet of colour: yellow, purple, white and pink flowers swaying in the breeze. Botanists (plant scientists) travel from all over the world to study them.
Zebra are commonly spotted grazing in the open grassland, alongside roan antelope, eland and reedbuck. Leopards live in the forests but are very shy and hard to see. At night the skies over Nyika are spectacular — because the plateau is remote and has very little electric lighting, you can see thousands of stars.
Malawi's largest national park, Nyika National Park, protects most of the plateau. Rangers lead guided walks and mountain bike rides across the grasslands. It is one of the few places in Africa where you can safely cycle past wild zebra on an open trail.