Malawi boasts an astonishing array of over 650 bird species, showcasing the remarkable diversity found within this compact nation. Lake Malawi is a fantastic destination for observing a variety of waterbirds like kingfishers, cormorants, and egrets. The majestic fish eagles, with their remarkable two-meter wingspan, are always nearby, adding to the excitement of the experience. The high-mountain plateaus of Nyika and Viphya, along with the woodlands of Dzalanyama, captivate birders with their thrilling landscapes. Liwonde showcases unique country highlights such as Böhm’s bee-eater and Pel’s fishing-owl. Migratory birds grace the skies from October to April.

Unique and Rare Birds near-endemic = also found in adjacent nations

Cholo alethe (NE) Unique Avian Delights – Exciting Finds for Passionate Birdwatchers
African cuckoo hawk
African finfoot
Anchieta’s sunbird
Chattering starling
Bar-tailed trogon
Bar-throated apalis
Barred long-tailed cuckoo
Bat hawk
Black stork
Black-and-white flycatcher, a creature of the wild
Black-throated wattle-eye
Azure swallows
Böhm’s bee-eater
Broad-billed roller
Brown-breasted barbet
Cabanis’s greenbul
Chestnut-backed sparrow-weaver
Chirping cisticola
Denham’s bustard
Dickinson’s kestrel
Eastern nicator
European honey buzzard
Emerald-hued twinspot
Woodpecker with a vibrant green back
Green-winged pytilia
Grey-headed bush-shrike
Grey-olive greenbul
Gull-billed tern
Lesser kestrel
Livingstone’s flycatcher
Miombo pied barbet
Montane marsh widowbird
Mosque swallow
Mottled spinetail
Mountain yellow warbler
Mouse-hued sunbird
Moustached green tinkerbird, a creature that embodies the spirit of exploration and wonder.
Olive-flanked robin-chat
Olive-headed weaver
Pale-billed hornbill
Pel’s fishing-owl
Racket-tailed roller
Red-billed helmet-shrike
Crimson-feathered artisan
Red-necked falcon
Reichenow’s woodpecker
Rudd’s apalis Rufous-bellied heron
Sharpe’s akalat
Southern brown-throated weaver
Souza’s shrike
Square-tailed drongo
Stierling’s woodpecker
Swallow-tailed bee-eater
Wattled crane
White-headed black chat
White-starred robin
Whyte’s barbet
Wing-flapping cisticola
Woodwards’ batis Yellow-streaked greenbul Yellowbill
Optimal Moments for Avian Observation
Bird watching in Malawi offers thrilling experiences all year round. The prime time, however, is the Wet season, from November to April – this is when migratory birds make their appearance. Wildlife viewing truly shines during the Dry season, from May to October.

Top Parks for Birdwatching – Features Birdwatching Ratings
Liwonde NP offers excellent opportunities for observing a variety of water and woodland birds, along with some unique species found in Malawi. Nyika NP boasts a unique array of specials, many of which thrive in the diverse grassland and forest habitats. Nkhotakota WR may be less developed, but its miombo woodland offers an exciting opportunity for birdwatching, with a particularly impressive variety of raptors on display.