Liwonde National Park in Malawi is a pristine remnant of unspoiled natural habitat, with the Shire River running through the west of the reserve and a wildlife corridor in the north leading up to the Mangochi Forest Reserve. It truly showcases what the entire region would have been like before human interference. The reserve consists mainly of mature mopane woodland, interspersed with patches of riverine thickets, mixed woodland, and wetland habitats. These wetlands are formed by large floodplains off the Shire River, scattered with stunning ilala palms (Hyphaene), making the Collared Palm-Thrush one of the most numerous birds around. There is also some miombo woodland present on the hill slopes in the reserve, particularly in the south.
A day of birding in the reserve can yield sightings of over 100 species, including some very special ones. If you are self-driving, it is possible to start in the south, travel to the north, and return in one day, which is advisable. One of the main highlights in the reserve is Lilian’s Lovebird. Once you have learned their call, you’ll find that they are quite common, gathering in large, noisy flocks to feed and drink.
As you drive north on the main road from the southern entrance, it is recommended to take all the roads and loops to the left. Most of these roads lead to the river’s edge, where you can spot some great water birds and enjoy excellent game viewing. However, these roads are subject to the water level of the Shire River. The occurrence of species associated with water can heavily depend on the water level and the availability of mud and sandbanks. Sought-after species include the African Skimmer, Gull-billed Tern, Spur-winged, White-crowned, and Long-toed Lapwings, Dwarf and Little Bitterns, Saddle-billed Stork, Knob-billed Duck, Fulvous Whistling Duck, Greater Painted-Snipe, Allen’s Gallinule, and Lesser Jacana, along with more common species of ibises, cormorants, pelicans, geese, egrets, and herons. Any reed beds should be searched for the Southern Brown-throated Weaver. The African Fish Eagle and Osprey are constant presences along the river.
Böhm’s, Southern Carmine, and Olive Bee-eaters are often seen on the vegetation along the river. Make sure to scan the denser vegetation along the river’s edge, as Pel’s Fishing Owl and White-backed Night Heron are present in good numbers. Another fantastic way to enjoy what the Shire River has to offer is by booking one of the boat cruises that operate from many of the accommodation venues in the area. Don’t forget to look out for Bat Hawks hunting over the river in the evening.
Mopane woodland is not often the favorite habitat, as many places have short, thick, uniform mopane that extends for kilometers. However, the mopane woodland in Liwonde National Park is tall and mature, creating a delightful environment for birding. It often forms a canopy with little to no undergrowth in some areas, possibly due to good elephant management. Some of the best mopane is in the north. When in good mopane, look out for the Racket-tailed Roller and Arnot’s Chat. A particularly good area for these species is near the airstrip in the north (-14.839341, 35.298659). The airstrip is also good for Senegal Lapwing. Other notable species to look for include Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Grey-headed and Meyer’s Parrot, Thick-billed Cuckoo, African Golden Oriole, and Speckle-throated Woodpecker. If you keep an eye on the ground, you may be rewarded with sightings of Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl and Southern Ground Hornbill.
There are also patches of riparian woodland, which can produce some great species. The most sought-after species here would be the Brown-breasted Barbet, which reaches the southern limit of its range in the reserve. The best way to find this species is to scan fruiting fig trees in the riparian woodland and along the river. Purple-crested Turaco and Trumpeter Hornbills can also be seen feeding on the figs. Bearded Scrub-Robin should also be seen moving around on the forest floor in these areas. Another good species to look out for here is the African Pitta, which is occasionally seen in the summer.
There is no shortage of raptors in the reserve, so keep your eyes on the skies. Some of the more sought-after species, among the many common ones, include Western Banded Snake Eagle, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Dickinson’s Kestrel, African Cuckoo Hawk, Red-necked Falcon (scan the ilala palms), Black Kite (summer), and Lesser Spotted Eagle (summer), as well as White-headed and Palm-nut Vultures.
In the evening, or during one of the night drives, look out for owls and nightjars. Several owl species have been recorded, including African Scops Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Spotted Eagle Owl, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Barred Owlet, and Pearl-spotted Owlet. Two common nightjars in the area are the Square-tailed and Fiery-necked Nightjar. Another species to look out for is the Bronze-winged Courser.
Liwonde is also rich in mammal diversity. Four of the Big Five are present (Lion, Cape Buffalo, African Elephant, and Black Rhino), with only the Leopard absent. This is unusual, as Leopards are typically found everywhere. Perhaps they are present in small numbers. Other large predators include Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Side-striped Jackal, and Wild Dogs. The usual plains game species include Impala, Bushbuck, Greater Kudu, Waterbuck, Warthog, and Plains Zebra. Sable, Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest, and Sharpe’s Grysbok are rarer sightings. Bushpig can be seen in the early mornings and on night drives. These night drives can also produce some cool species such as Meller’s, White-tailed, and Marsh Mongoose, African Civet, Serval, Cape Porcupine, Greater Thick-tailed Bushbaby, Four-toed and Lesser Sengi, Common Large-spotted Genet, and Savannah Hare. Yellow Baboons and Vervet Monkeys are a constant presence in the reserve, especially in the camps. Other species to look out for include Dwarf, Slender, and Banded Mongoose, Tree Squirrel, and Hippopotamus, which are common along the river.
Read about our trip to Liwonde National Park in April 2024 https://www.thebirdinglife.com/post/birding-bliss-exploring-the-magic-of-liwonde-national-park
African Birding Hub Approved Accommodation - We recommend you stay at Mvuu Camp when visiting Liwonde National Park - To find out more or to book your stay, visit their website https://cawsmw.com/mvuu-camp
Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi is also a must visit if you’ve been to Liwonde