Birding in Liwonde National Park centres around the Shire River, with shared game viewing by boat and on land.
Liwonde is one of the top birding sites in Malawi, with over 400 recorded species. Specials include the Green coucal, Bat hawk, Palm-nut vulture, Pel's fishing owl, Brown-breasted barbet, Livingstone's flycatcher, White-backed night heron, Lilian’s lovebird, and Böhm's bee-eater. You can also hope to see Pied kingfisher, Black heron and other waterbirds during boat rides on the river, as well as Red-necked falcon and Rufous-bellied heron. In the woodlands you can see some localised species such as the African openbill and Long-toed lapwing. Liwonde is also great for birds of prey such as the Bateleur, Martial eagle and Snake eagle.
There is also a variety of game in this park and you should get good sightings of elephant, sable antelope, warthog, impala, kudu, waterbuck, buffalo and many other species. As there are no lions in Liwonde, you can substitute a walking safari, bike ride or canoeing down the river for one of your game activities. For an extra free there is the option of rhino tracking - a 3-hour guided walk into rhino territory with armed scouts and guides to see the valuable work they are doing to combat poaching, ending with a delicious bush meal.
Note: Your game drives will be shared and will focus mainly on the general wildlife, but do make your guide aware that you are a birder and ask him to also focus on birds.