The Nyika Plateau lies in northern Malawi, with a small portion in north eastern Zambia.
Its well-defined north-west escarpment rises about 700 m (2,300 ft) above the north-eastern extremity of the Luangwa Valley, and its similarly prominent south-east escarpment rises about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above the South Rukuru River valley.
[1] It is very different in scenery from other parts of Malawi, consisting of rolling hills with little streams in broad valleys, and rough grassland with clumps of pine trees.
[2] It is known for its wildlife; mammals in the park include Crawshay's zebras, bushbucks, reedbucks, roan antelopes, elands, klipspringers, duikers, and warthogs.
Owing to its protected status, endemic flora continue to flourish in this part of the plateau.