On arrival in Malawi’s bustling capital, we will transfer through to our accommodations. In the verdant grounds of our accommodations, we will start to see some of Africa’s more widespread species such as Red-eyed Dove, Common Bulbul, Black-collared Barbet, Black-backed Puffback and Kurricane Thrush. We will enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation enjoying the opportunity to learn more of the exciting adventures ahead.

Accommodation: Lilongwe (en suite room) Meals included: D.

Today we will make our west to Dzalanyama Forest. Not far from the western border of Malawi with Mozambique, this large area of forest is one of the best tracts of Miombo woodland in the region. These woodlands are dominated by species of Brachystegia, a genus of legume (the pea family), that shed their leaves in the dry season. It is a unique type of dry tropical woodland that is home to a range of habitat specialist bird species and while here we will be to find these special birds! The accommodations at Dzalanyama are set in woodland and if time permits, we will venture out on foot this afternoon from the lodge for our first spell of miombo woodland birding.

Accommodation: Forest lodge (shared facilities) Meals included: B, L, D.

Miombo woodland birding requires patience and effort and while the forest can seem grimly quiet one minute, the very next it can be busy with a mix species flock. We have a full day to search the woodland for flocks, and hope for a good selection of birds. Birds restricted to or often found in Miombo woodlands that we may see while here are Miombo Barbet, the range-restricted Stierlings Woodpecker, Souza’s Shrike, the active African Spotted Creeper, Yellow-bellied and Southern Hyliotas, Red-capped Crombec, Rufous-bellied and Miombo Tits, Miombo Scrub-Robin, Miombo Rock-Thrush, Arnot’s Chat, and Bohms Flycatcher. The list of other potential species here is impressive, but as with many of the miombo specials, patience, effort and a good dose of luck will be required to find birds! Highlights in this regard would be finding Pale-billed Hornbill, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Whyte’s Barbet, Orange-winged Pytilia, the gorgeous Anchieta’s Sunbird and Western Violet-backed Sunbird. We will search areas of open woodland with boulders for Boulder Chat, yet another special with a limited and patchy distribution possible on this tour. More widespread species that we may see while we search the woodlands of Dzalanyama are the beautiful Schalow’s Turaco, African Harrier Hawk, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Green Woodhoopoe, Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah, Reichard’s Seedeater, and Golden-breasted Bunting.

Accommodation: Forest lodge (shared facilities) Meals included: B, L, D

If we have any time in hand this morning, we will enjoy a final spell of birding in this woodland before we set of south for the Zomba Plateau in the Shire Highlands region of the country. In abrupt contrast to the dry Miombo woodlands of the west, are the verdant higher-lying forests and grassland remnants of the Zomba Plateau, part of the ‘South East Africa Montane Archipelago’. This so-called archipelago of ancient inselbergs comprises overlapping centres of endemism across multiple taxa and contains many species new to science. The Zomba Plateau itself is home to several bird species with tiny ranges that are becoming increasingly rare due to habitat loss; these and some of the more widespread forest specials will be the focus of our efforts while in this area. We will arrive in the afternoon and should have time to explore forest remnants near our accommodations. Species such as Livingstone’s Turaco, Variable Sunbird, African Yellow Warbler, and Yellow-bellied Waxbill are all possible in the area.

Accommodation: Forest lodge near plateau (en suite room) Meals included: B, L, D.

We have a full day to explore the remnant forest patches and edge habitats on the plateau. One of the key birds we will look for here is Malawi’s only endemic, Yellow-throated Apalis, a smart yellow and olive warbler-like bird with a tiny distribution, limited to a few mountains in Malawi. Another three highly range-restricted species we will search for are Bertram’s Weaver, that occurs in a few mountain areas here and in neighbouring Tanzania, Malawi Batis, a Malawi near endemic, and White-winged Apalis, also restricted to mountains, this time just a few in Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. The forests of the area are also home to several other forest species that we have our only chance of seeing here during our travels are the stunning Red-faced Crimsonwing, White-starred Robin, and Red-throated Twinspot. Other species we may see while on the plateau are White-eared Barbet, Black-headed Apalis, White-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Little, Olive-headed and Placid Greenbuls, Dark-backed Weaver, and Forest Double-collared Sunbird.

Accommodation: Forest lodge near plateau (en suite room) Meals included: B, L, D.

We have a last opportunity to enjoy any final offerings on the Zoma Plateau before we make our way south to Mulanje area. Mount Mulanje is a massive 3000 m high granite inselberg that serves as a dramatic backdrop to the town, and it is on the slopes of this mountain that Malawi’s national tree, the Mulanje Cedar (Widdringtonia whytei) once thrived. Now listed as Critically Endangered, the race is on to save this species from extinction, and since 2019 we have been directly involved in germination and propagation trials that have allowed us to donate seedlings to key institutions such as the Australian National Botanic Garden in Canberra. This afternoon we plan to connect with members of the community and local organisations to learn about their efforts to conserve this species. This will include a visit to a local nursery where we will see seedlings of this threatened tree.

Accommodation: Accommodation near Mulanje (en suite room) Meals included: B, L, D.

We have a last opportunity this morning to enjoy the Mulanje area before making our way to Liwonde National Park, one of Malawi’s premier game-viewing and birdwatching destinations. The park is home to expanses of mopane woodland, deciduous thickets, palm savanna and lush floodplains of the impressive Shire River. Liwonde has benefited from reintroductions of key wildlife species including cheetah, lion, black rhino and wild dog, and the improvement in the ecological integrity of the reserve have ensured that Liwonde is a source of Elephant and other species for other protected areas in Malawi. The park is also home to an excellent diversity of birdlife including broadleaf woodland specials such as Racket-tailed Roller, Lilian’s Lovebird, and Arnot’s Chat. This afternoon we will settle into our lovely, tented camp overlooking the Shire River, and enjoy a walk around the lodge or perhaps a cruise on the Shire River. Little and Böhm's Bee-eaters, Brown-hooded and Striped Kingfishers, Palm Swift, Collared Palm Thrush, and Scarlet-chested Sunbird are all possible around the lodge.

Accommodation: Safari tent accommodations (en suite room) Meals included: B, L, D.

We have two full days to enjoy the riches of Liwonde NP. We will explore the diversity of birds and mammals on the Shire River and associated floodplains on game drives and by boat. One of the potential highlights here is the sought-after Pel’s Fishing Owl, often found by day resting in the deep shade of trees that fringe the Shire. Birds of prey are well represented in these riverine areas with African Fish Eagle, Osprey, Red-necked Falcon, Western Banded Snake-Eagle, Dickinson’s Kestrel and Palmnut Vulture all possible. Several species of storks, including the impressive Saddle-billed Stork, and herons such as the secretive White-backed Night Heron, Malachite Kingfisher, Spur-winged and Long-toed Lapwings, Brown-headed Parrot, the shy Green Malkoha, African Skimmer, Luapula Cisticola, and the smart Broad-billed Roller may also be found here. In thicket habitat on the floodplains, we will search for one of the park’s special birds, Brown-breasted Barbet, and other species such as Eastern Nicator (one of Africa’s most lovely songsters), the feisty Black-throated Wattle-Eye, Sombre Greenbul and the lovely Livingstone’s Flycatcher. Elephant, Hippoputamus, Crocodile, Waterbuck, Greater Kudu, Bushbuck, Bushpig and Warthog are all regular in riverine habitats, as are Lion which range widely in the park. We will also venture into the belt of mopane woodland that straddles the park where a different suite of mammals and birds awaits us. The regal Sable antelope is chief amongst these, and although this species is becoming increasingly rare in parts of Africa, our chances of seeing this smart mammal are good here. Special birds we hope to see in these woodlands are the delightful Lilian’s Lovebird, Speckle-throated Woodpecker, Racket-tailed Roller, Arnot’s Chat, White-breasted Cuckooshrike, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Grey-headed Bushshrike, and Meves’s Starling. While in the park we will enjoy a safari walk with one of the park rangers, this affords a more intimate connection with the African bush, and this may well be the highlight of your African experience. Exploring the park after dark is also a must, and aside from the chance of encountering big game like Lion, this is an opportunity to see some of the parks smaller mammals such as Large-spotted Genet, Cape Porcupine and Thick-tailed Galago. Nocturnal birds we may enjoy seeing are African Barred Owlet, Square-tailed and Fiery-necked Nightjars, African Scops Owl and Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.

Accommodation: Safari tent accommodations (en suite room) Meals included: B, L, D.

We will enjoy a final game drive this morning before making our way back to Lilongwe.

Accommodation: Lodge in Lilongwe (en suite room) Meals included: B, L, D.

The tour concludes after breakfast. You will be transferred back to the airport for your departure flights home.

Accommodation: None Meals included: B.