11-Day Best of Malawi Birding

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Welcome to Malawi

Your guide will meet you on arrival in Blantyre today and you'll drive through the bustling city to the rolling tea estates of Thyolo. Night at Huntingdon house including all your meals, tonight relax in the garden and enjoy the montane evergreen forests surrounding the property.

Main Destination:

Thyolo District

Accommodation:

Huntingdon House

• Luxury guest house located in Thyolo District

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Thyolo

Today we dictate the day by the birds, explore the surrounding estate and the endemic patches of forest between the plantations, all meals are enjoyed in the gardens at Huntingdon house, the afternoon we'll search the Thyolo Mountain for the Thyolo Alethe. Today's highlights could include the Green-Headed Oriole, African Broadbill, Grey Twinspot and Buff-spotted flufftail.

Main Destination:

Thyolo District

Accommodation:

Huntingdon House

• Luxury guest house located in Thyolo District

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Thyolo to Zomba

After breakfast we make our way northwards, enjoying a picnic lunch en-route and stopping at highlighted birding areas. Arrive at Zomba Forest Lodge around mid-afternoon where we can explore the surrounding garden and a short walk around the area for the evening chorus. Night at Zomba including all your meals.

Main Destination:

Zomba Plateau

Accommodation:

Zomba Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Zomba Plateau

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Zomba Birding

This mornings birding is on the slopes in the forests and on the plateau. Species such as the rare Yellow-throated and White-winged Apalis, Betram's Weaver and the Double-Collared Forest Sunbird frequent the area as well as the Black-headed Apalis, Red-faced Crimsonwing and Livingstones Turacco. All meals are available at Zomba Forest Lodge between excursions.

Main Destination:

Zomba Plateau

Accommodation:

Zomba Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Zomba Plateau

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Zomba to Liwonde

After a late morning walk and breakfast, we make our way northwards to Liwonde National Park and Mvuu Camp in time for lunch. We'll drive through the park, filling out park entrance procedures which are included and make it in time for an afternoon activity. Activities include game drives, walks and boat safaris.

Main Destination:

Liwonde National Park

Best Time To Visit July to October (Dry bush, animals are easy to find)

High Season July to October (The park is busy, higher rates)

Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Liwonde NP

ElephantCommon

HippoAbundant

BuffaloOccasional

ZebraOccasional

Black RhinoRare

LionRare

Show more

LeopardRare

CheetahRare

HyenaRare

Wild DogRare

GiraffeNone

White RhinoNone

WildebeestNone

Accommodation:

Mvuu Camp

• Mid-range lodge located inside Liwonde NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Liwonde

Full day exploring Liwonde national Park with Mvuu Camp including all your meals and activities. Liwonde is home to an array of bird species such as the Brown-breasted Barbet, Pels Fishing Owl, White-backed Night-heron, Bat Hawk and Livingstone's Flycatcher, there are over 300 species that inhabit this conservation success area.

Main Destination:

Liwonde National Park

Accommodation:

Mvuu Camp

• Mid-range lodge located inside Liwonde NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Liwonde to Cape Maclear

We'll make our way today to the shores of Lake Malawi, it's about a 4 hour drive where we will have a picnic lunch enroute and stop to look for reed inhabitants around Lake Chilwa. Continue on to Cape Maclear and arrive about mid-afternoon. Night at Chembe Eagles Nest including dinner, bed and breakfast.

Main Destination:

Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi)

Accommodation:

Chembe Eagles Nest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi)

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Cape Maclear

A full day to explore the area, the mountains an islands are ideal for water birds, Fish eagles, Cormorants and Pels Fish Owl. Explore by land or by water where your guide will help book excursions for you. Lunch is not included today but Chembe has a menu and there are other local restaurants in the area to choose from. Night here including dinner, bed and breakfast.

Main Destination:

Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi)

Accommodation:

Chembe Eagles Nest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Cape Maclear (Lake Malawi)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks not included

Lake to Miombo Woodland

From the lake we drive up the escarpment, through Dedza and Lilongwe where we will stop at the Land and Lake Cafe or another restaurant in the area before heading to Dzalanyama an arriving in time for tea. Start exploring the area around the lodge this evening and night here including all your meals.

Main Destination:

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

Accommodation:

Dzalanyama Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Dzalanyama FR

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Dzalanyama

Today is spent in the Miombo Woodland of Dzalanyama Forest. Localised species include the Pale-billed Hornbill, Miombo Pied Barbet, Stierling's Woodpecker, Boulder Chat, Miombo Grey Tit and many other species. Night at Dzalanyama Forest Lodge including all your meals.

Main Destination:

Dzalanyama Forest Reserve

Accommodation:

Dzalanyama Forest Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located inside Dzalanyama FR

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Goodbye

After brunch in Dzalanyama and the last opportunity for a spot of birding, we make our way back to Lilongwe. Today can coincide with an afternoon flight out of Lilongwe or to an overnight accommodation for a morning flight the next day. End of services.

Main Destination:

Lilongwe (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.