Nyika National Park in the north of the country is a hilly area on the spurs of the plateau of the same name, rising to an average of 2,000 metres above sea level. The entire area is covered with mopane fields and dense mimbo evergreen forests, interspersed with patches of wet grassy mire. The park is known for its wildflowers (including 120 varieties of orchids), which grow and bloom especially exuberantly after the rains (November to April). The abundance of vegetation also attracts a variety of animals - the most common are the greater pronghorn antelope, zebras, oryx (cannae), hyenas, jackals and leopards, as well as the blue monkey (in the woodlands) and more than 250 species of birds. The park is also favoured by tourists for its herds of elephant and antelope (including impala, zebu and kudu), and hippos, more common in the north of the park.
