Rupert Higgins & Dawn Lawrence
28 Egerton Road
Bishopston
Bristol
BS7 8HL
0117 9441034
We visited Zambia's South Luangwa National Park on an unbeatable £990 special from Naturetrek. For an extra £50 per person we were able to move our outward flight a week earlier and have a quick look at Malawi.
In Zambia we were incredibly pampered and didn't have much contact with local people or conditions.. In Malawi we found the people extremely friendly and obliging and food and accommodation were good value and of an acceptable standard. As vegetarians our range of choice was limited but we managed OK. Beer is very cheap and good if you stick to local brands (simply ask for Green in Malawi) as, surprisingly, is Malawi Gin. February is during the rainy season in both countries. We were very lucky - we had about one hour's torrential rain per day at Nyika and a wet day at Senga Bay but Zambia was very dry. Birds such as weavers, wydahs and widows are in breeding plumage at this time of year and cisticolas are singing and flowers and insects are very good. On the other hand some birds and mammals are harder to see in the tall grass..
February 5th: Left Heathrow on an Ethiopian Airways overnight flight. We are told that normally they are very good, but our flight was severely disrupted by a border war between Eritraea and Ethiopia.
February 6th: We should have changed planes at Addis Abbaba but instead were diverted to Nairobi. We spent 14 uncomfortable hours here, the only real consolation being good views of superb starling. We eventually left at 12-30 at night and then only after a sit-down protest by every passenger on our flight and a tense stand-off with Kenyan police.
February 7th: Finally arrived at Lilongwe at 3.30 am - 13 hours late. Our original plan had been to spend the night in Lilongwe and look around the Lilongwe Nature Sanctuary in the morning. Instead, we kipped down on comfy sofas in a closed cafe on the first floor of the airport and had a surprisingly good night's sleep, disturbed only by african pied wagtails which were nesting in the roof. Woke up at about 6..45 and went for a walk through the maize fields just beyond the airport carpark.. Saw a reasonable variety of birds, notably a good number of seed-eaters including orange-breasted waxbill. As things got hotter large numbers of butterflies appeared and we saw long-crested and steppe eagles. At about 11 our flight for Nyika left.. At present Malawi Air run a scheduled flight there twice a week for $100 return.. Otherwise a visit in the rainy season involves hiring a four-wheel drive vehicle - much more time-consuming and (for two people) more expensive. Even then if the weather has been particularly bad it might be impossible to get through. We booked both the flight and the accommodation at Nyika through African Wilderness Safaris in Lilongwe, who also turned out to be Naturetrek's ground agents and who were very efficient. The flight to Nyika takes about 1½ hours in a small plane with a stop at Mzuzu and offers very good views of Lake Malawi. The landing strip is c10 minutes from the accomodation at Chelinda. The cabins here are basic but extremely comfortable and the food is excellent and always far more than we could eat. It was fairly pricey at $60 per day (including all food) but very good value.. The owner, David, has a good knowledge of Nyika's birds and mammals. The cabins are set in a pine plantation, which is fairly useless for birds, overlooking a small pool. Nonetheless we saw a good variety of raptors from this area and spotted eagle owl come to hunt insects on your doorstep. Elsewhere at Nyika the habitat consists of open grassland, boggy valley bottoms, rocky outcrops and small patches of scrub and woodland. Nyika is good for upland birds, with several species endemic to northern Malawi and adjacent parts of Zambia and Tanzania. Mammals are good and Nyika is excellent for plants, especially orchids. The scenery is outstanding.. It is an upland area and during the southern winter (also the dry season) can be cold. Temperatures were very comfortable when we were there. After a hurried lunch we walked down the nearest stream valley, where good birding habitat begins about 5 minutes walk from the cabins. We walked as far as dam number 2, about 1 mile. We saw many birds in the scrubby woodland along the stream valley, including specialities of Nyika such as streaky canary, yellow mountain warbler, bertram's weaver and fulleborn's black bou-bou. In the grassy areas churring, mountain and wailing cisticolas were common and mountain marsh widows were obvious in the marshes (dambos). We also had a male pallid harrier. There was a large hatch of insects over the grasslands which attracted a huge feeding flocks of swifts and swallows including c50 blue swallows. The mammals seen were the species we saw here every day - burchell's zebra, roan antelope, eland, reedbuck and bushbuck. Flowers were outstanding, especially orchids in damp areas.
February 8th: We arranged with David to be driven to Chowo Forest, a patch of evergreen forest which is actually just inside Zambia. The beginning of the trail is now rather overgrown and would be difficult to spot without it being pointed out. Once you're inside the forest it becomes much more clear. We spent most of the day inside the forest. Birding here was very hard work - apparently it is easier in November when most species are singing. The only species which made itself obvious was eastern double-collared sunbird. Nevertheless we saw a good variety of bulbuls, brown-headed apalis, eastern forest scrub warbler, starred robin and the superb Schalow's turacao, amongst others. We also saw blue monkey. At about 3pm, just as we were about to leave the forest, the heavens opened and we spent an hour getting very wet. The sun came out again abruptly and we looked around the rock outcrops outside the forest before meeting our lift back home. Birds seen here included a surprisingly easy cinnamon bracken warbler, mosque swallow and crowned hornbill. Other highlights were two klippspringers and some stunning plants, notably Disa orchids and glory lily.
February 9th: A very long walk today - 20 miles plus - in search of wattled crane. Acting on David's advice we headed down the track past dams 2 & 3. Bird activity in the grasslands was very high - new species seen included Jackson's pipit, Ayre's cloud cisticola, mottled swift and lazy cisticola. The plants were utterly stunning, including many orchids (especially Satyrium spp), Gladioli, Kniphophia (red-hot poker) and Tradescantia. We eventually found a family party of wattled cranes, at which point we got another hour-long soaking. After the rain nine montagues harriers, an African marsh harrier, a black-winged kite, seven hobbies and flocks of white and abdim's storks appeared. The rain also tempted red-winged francolins out onto the track. During the long march back we saw family groups of both warthog (at one point chasing a Stanley's bustard) and bush-pig on a hillside. The latter species is difficult to see at most sites but diurnal sightings are apparently not uncommon at Nyika.
10th February: We were driven to Zovo-Chipolo, a tiny forest patch closer to Chelinda than Chowo but still too far to walk. There is a good trail through the wood and adjacent grassland, which we circuited twice. The understorey is a bit more open than Chowo and we found birding slightly easier, although we saw fewer bulbuls. Additional species seen here included chestnut-throated apalis, moustached green tinker-bird, olive woodpecker, bar-tailed trogon, bar-throated apalis, waller's redwing starling, white-chested alethe and olive-flanked robin. In habitats outside the forest we saw white-headed saw-wing swallow, miombo double-collared sunbird, bronze sunbird, streaky-headed canary and red-faced crimsonwing, as well as an absolutely stunning Iris and a Streptocarpus (cape primrose). Having sheltered through another downpour we walked through grasslands close to the track - David had told us February was the peak time for flufftail sightings. This strategy paid rich dividends, producing good views of kurrichane buttonquail, red-chested flufftail and Hildebrandt's francolin. David picked us up and on the way back to the cabins hunted out a stripe-sided jackal for us.
February 11th: In the morning walked down the small valley near the cabins again and tramped through nearby grasslands. The undoubted highlight was a superb view of a striped flufftail. The flowers were again outstanding, especially in wet habitats. In the early afternoon we reluctantly left on a flight back to Lilongwe. We hired a car there from one of the local companies with stands at the airport. It is cheaper to hire a car here than from the UK - most of the firms charge a much higher fee to foreigners, which can be avoided by paying in Kwacha. The car was very good and it took us about two hours to drive along good roads to Senga Bay (follow signs for Livingstonia Beach Hotel all the way). We stayed at the Forest Rest House in Senga Bay. To find it follow the paved road straight to its end, until you are confronted by the majestic gates of the Livingstonia Beach Hotel. At this point turn left up a rough sandy track for a mile or so. The rest house is cheap - about £2 per night - and the rooms are spacious and clean. However, once we were installed we discovered that neither water nor electricity was available - the lack of the former was annoying in the intense heat and humidity. The main advantage of the rest house is that it is set in woodland above the lake and has a good garden.. Senga Bay is quite touristy, although it was very quiet in the wet season, and has a good choice of places to eat.
12th February: One of the attractions of Senga Bay is the nearby presence of hippopotamus. These would be difficult to find, and impossible in the wet season, without the local guidance which is frequently offered. We engaged a local lad for $10, including a short but alarming canoe trip. As well as very good views of hippopotamus (better than any we had in Zambia) we saw rock hyrax and a few birds, including woodland and pygmy kingfishers, black-collared barbet and black widowfinch and, most importantly, several boehms bee-eaters. It quickly became extremely hot and we spent the afternoon around the resthouse seeing a few things - three-streaked tchagra, puffback, black sunbird, golden-tailed woodpecker, white-throated robin, yellow-bellied eremomela etc.
13th February: It rained heavily overnight and all morning, which did at least mean that the rain butts filled up and we could have a decent wash. We had a brief and very wet walk through the woodland up to a viewpoint on the hilltop, seeing not very much at all. Most of the morning we spent on the rest-house verandah. Bird activity was quite high and Bohm's bee-eaters were almost constantly present. Other species seen included scarlet-chested sunbird, yellow-fronted tinker barbet and blue-grey flycatcher. A troop of yellow baboons and a party of vervet monkeys kept us amused.. We then headed back to Lilongwe. Just outside Senga Bay the road crosses a marshy area and birds here included blue-cheeked bee-eater, European and lilac-breasted rollers and namaqua dove. Further along the road birds seen included good views of red-necked falcon. Plan A had been to meet the rest of the Naturetrek party at Lilongwe airport but they failed to appear so we got a taxi to the guesthouse we were booked into where the rest of the pary appeared several hours late.
14th February - 20th February: The week was spent on Naturetrek's £990 special to South Luangwa NP - much cheaper than any other way we could find of getting there. The only discomfort was the road journey from Lilongwe to South Luangwa - 8 very bumpy hours. Although we had paid to camp only we were upgraded to the incredibly luxurious Kafunta Lodge. Food, local guides etc were all excellent. The routine consisted of morning and evening game drives daily, with three night drives (which cost extra). We had two short walks, but walking was generally impossible because of the long grass. Birds and mammals seen virtually daily included open-billed, marabou and woolly necked storks, knob-billed duck, bateleur, tawny and wahlberg's eagles, red-necked and swainson's francolins, southern crowned crane, water dikkop, double-banded sandgrouse, Mozambique nightjar, horus swift, white-fronted bee-eater, lilac-breasted roller, white helmet-shrike, crested barbet, southern long-tailed starling and broad-tailed wydah; and elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, burchell's zebra, warthog, impala, puku and yellow baboon. Insects included massive dung beetles, rhinoceros beetle, praying mantis spp and a good range of butterflies, bush-crickets and dragonflies. The plants, however, were nowhere near as impressive as at Nyika..
Highlights included:
14th February: En route oleander hawkmoth, silver-striped hawkmoth and other stunning moths at a petrol station. Crowned eagle at lunch stop just inside Zambia. Five lionesses from the lodge.
15th February: Melba finch, Dickinson's grey kestrel, black cuckoo, three-banded courser, ground hornbill, Allen's gallinule and dwarf bittern; and on a night-drive twelve lions and a spotted hyaena.
16th February: Striped cuckoo, black coucal, barred owl, black cuckoo-shrike, southern black tit, plum-coloured starling, green pigeon and pearl-spotted owlet.
17th February: Broad-tailed paradise wydah, saddle-billed stork, martial eagle and kurrichane button quail; and on a night drive seven three-banded coursers, leopard and large spotted genet.
18th February: Collared palm thrush, orange-breasted bush-shrike, saddle-billed stork, emerald cuckoo, trumpeter hornbill, green pigeon, arrow-marked babbler and racket-tailed roller.
19th February: Brown-headed parrot, wattled starling, Meyer's parrot, harlequin quail and Retz's black helmet-shrike and cape buffalo; and on a night-drive slender and white-tailed mongoose, large spotted genet and lesser bush baby.
20th February: Trumpeter hornbill, purple-crested lourie and Abdim's stork and, on the way back, another good range of moths and an antlion at the filling station.
21st -22nd February: The homeward trip was again eventful and we finally arrived back about four hours late via Bujambora (that's what we all said), Nairobi, Cairo and Frankfurt.. Ended up kipping at Heathrow airport, which was colder, less comfortable and noisier than Lilongwe, and the lavatories were dirtier.
Species List:
In the following lists M; denotes as species seen in Malawi and Z: denotes a species seen in Zambia (note that Chowo Forest at Nyika is actually inside Zambia). * marks a life tick.
Little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) M: Small numbers daily on dams at Nyika.
Reed cormorant (Phalocrocorx africanus) M: Up to 40 seen daily at Senga Bay.
African darter (Anhinga melanogaster) Z: 1 seen just outside South Luangwa on 14th.
Dwarf bittern (Ixobrychus sturmii) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 1 on 18th & 4 on 19th. *
Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 14th & 2 on 18th..
Common squacco heron (Ardeola ralloides) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 20th.
Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) M: Abundant in lowland areas, not seen at Nyika. Z: Abundant in South Luangwa.
Green-backed heron (Butorides striatus) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 15th, 1 on 18th & 1 on 19th.
Little egret (Egretta gazetta) Z: Surprisingly rare. At South Luangwa 1 on 17th.
Yellow-billed egret (Egretta intermedia) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th.
Great white egret (Egretta alba) Z: Small numbers seen daily at South Luangwa, max. of 14 on 19th.
Purple heron (Ardea purpurea) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 13th.
Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) M: Small numbers daily at Senga Bay. Z: Small numbers daily at South Luangwa.
Black-headed heron (Ardea melanocephala) M: 1 seen daily on dam below cabins at Nyika and small numbers daily at Senga Bay. Z: Small numbers daily at South Luangwa.
Goliath heron (Ardea goliath) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 17th, 2 on 18th & 1 on 19th.
Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta) M: 4 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 16th, 2 on 17th & 1 on 20th.
White stork (Ciconia ciconia) M: 14 at Nyika on 9th. Z: At South Luangwa 10 on 15th and 4 on 18th.
Abdims stork (Ciconia abdimii) M: 29 at Nyika on 9th. Z: 300+ circling over South Luangwa on 20th. *
Woolly-necked stork (Ciconia episcopus) Z: At South Luangwa seen daily except 14th & 15th.. Max of 60 on 17th. *
Yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa, max of 30 on 17th.
Openbill stork (Anastomus lamelligerus) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa. max of 40 on 16th *
Saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th, 2 on 18th & 1 on 19th. *
Marabou stork (Leptoptilus crumeniferus) Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 16th, 2 on 17th, 1 on 18th & 1 on 19th. *
Sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) M: 6 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa, max of 40 on 17th.
Hadeda ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 14th, 1 on 15th, 1 on 17th, 2 on 18th & 4 on 19th.
Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) M: 6 at Senga Bay on 12th.
African spoonbill (Platalea alba) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 14th, 3 on 16th, 6 on 17th, 1 on 18th, 3 on 19th & 5 on 20th.
Fulvous tree-duck (Dendrocygna bicolor) Z: 18 at South Luangwa on 20th. *
White-faced tree-duck (Dendrocygna viduata) M: 6 at Senga Bay on 11th, 3 there on 12th and 2 on 13th. Z: Large numbers seen daily at South Luangwa.
Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegypticus) Z: Small numbers seen daily at South Luangwa, max of 40 on 17th.
Spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: Small numbers daily at South Luangwa, max of 50 on 17th.
Knob-billed duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa, max of 200 on 17th. *
Yellow-billed duck (Anas undulatus) M: Seen daily in small numbers on the dams and Lake Chelinda at Nyika.
Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus) M: 2 males near dam 2 at Nyika on 7th. *
Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus): M: 11 (10 males) at Nyika on 9th.
African marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus): M: 1 adult female at Nyika on 9th.*
Black-shouldered kite (Elanus caeruleus): M: Singles at Nyika on 9th and 10th.
Black kite (Milvus migrans) Amazingly rare - Z: 1 between border and South Luangwa on 14th. At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 1 on 18th.
Yellow-billed kite Even rarer than the last species. Z: 1 on 19th.
African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 15th, 2 on 16th, 2 on 17th, 3 on 18th & 2 on 20th.
Hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa but in much smaller numbers than the next two species.
White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) M: 1 over Nyika on 9th and 3 on 11th. Z: Large numbers daily at South Luangwa.
White-headed vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa, slightly less abundant than previous species. Max of c60 on 16th. *
Black-breasted snake eagle (Cicaetus gallicus) M: 1 imm at Nyika on 11th and 1 between Lilongwe and border on 14th.
Brown snake eagle (Cicaetus cinereus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th & 1 on 19th.*
Western banded snake eagle (Circaetus cinerascens) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th, 1 on 17th & 2 on 19th. *
Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa, max of 20 on 18th.*
Gymnogyne (Polyboroides typus) Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 15th & 16th & 2 on 18th.
Dark chanting goshawk (Melierax metabates) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 14th and 1 on 15th.*
Gabar goshawk (Micronisus gabar) Z: At South Luangwa 1, with red-billed hornbill, on 18th & 1 on 20th.
Little sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th. 1 on journey towards frontier on 20th.
Shikra (Accipiter badius) M: 1 on way to South Luangwa on 14th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 5 on 16th & 1 on 18th
African goshawk (Accipiter tachiro) M: 1 near Chelinda Camp, Nyika, on 9th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 18th.
Red-breasted sparrowhawk (Accipiter rufiventris) M: 1 near Chelinda camp, Nyika, on 7th..
Lizard buzzard (Kaupifalco monogrammicus) Z: 1 seen on way to South Luangwa on 14th. At South Luangwa 1 on 15th.
Tawny eagle (Aquila rapax) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 15th, 6 on 17th, 4 on 18th & 2 on 19th. *
Steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis) M: 2 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. *
Wahlberg's eagle (Aquila wahlbergi) M: 2 at border crossing on 14th. Z: 6 between border and South Luangwa on 14th & 1 on return journey on 20th. At South Luangwa 3 on 17th. *
African hawk eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th. *
Booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus): M: 1 at Nyika on 7th, 9th and 11th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th.
Long-crested eagle (Lophaetus occipitalis) M: 2 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. *
Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 imm. on 17th & 1 adult on 19th..
Crowned eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) Z: 1 over Brachystegia woodland on way to South Luangwa on 14th. *
Steppe buzzard (Buteo buteo) Surprisingly scarce. M: 1 at Nyika on 8th and 2 there on 11th.
Augur buzzard (Buteo augur) M: Fewer than 3 seen daily at Nyika. *
Dickinson's kestrel (Falco dickinsoni) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 17th & 19th.*
Red-necked falcon (Falco chicquera) M: 1 between Senga Bay and Lilongwe on 13th.
Lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus) M: 1 at Nyika on 9th.
Hobby (Falco subbuteo) M: Seen in small numbers daily at Nyika. Max of 7 on 9th. Z: 2 seen outside Chowo Forest on 8th. At South Luangwa 1 on 15th & 19th.
Rock kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) M: 1 at Lilongwe airport on 7th and 1 between Senga Bay and Lilongwe on 13th.
Red-necked francolin (Francolinus afer) Z: At South Luangwa 15 on 15th, 6 on 16th, 15 on 17th, 5 on 18th & c20 on 19th *
Swainson's francolin (Francolinus swainsonii) Z: At South Luangwa 4 on 15th, 1on 16th, 4 on 17th, 1 on 18th & 4 on 19th. *
Hildebrandt's francolin (Francolinus hildebrandti) M: 1 at Nyika on 10th. *
Redwing francolin (Francolinus levaillati) M: 3 at Nyika on 9th.
Harelquin quail (Coturnix adansonii) Z: 1 flushed twice at South Luangwa on 19th. *
Quail (Coturnix coturnix) M: Heard daily in montane grassland at Nyika.
Helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) Z: Small numbers seen daily at South Luangwa, max. of 8 on 17th.
African crake (Crex egregia) Z: 1 flushed at South Luangwa on 19th. *
Black crake (Amaurornis flavirostris) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th.
Allen's gallinule (Porphyrula alleni) Z: At South Luangwa 9 on 15th, c15 on 17th & 3 on 19th *
Red-chested flufftail (Sarothrura rufa) M: 1 flushed near Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Striped flufftail (Sarothrura affinis) M: 1 flushed and seen extremely well at Nyika on 11th.. *
Crested coot (Fulica cristata) M: Small numbers seen daily on dams at Nyika.
Kurrichane button quail (Turnix sylvatica) M: 2 flushed from grassland near Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 17th.*
Southern crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 15th, 11 on 16th, 12 on 17th, 3 on 18th, 4 on 19th & 1 on 20th.*
Wattled crane (Grus carunculata) M: 2 adults and 1 imm at Nyika on 9th.*
Stanley's bustard (Neotis denhami) M: 1 at Nyika on 9th.
African jacana (Actophilornis africanus) M: 4 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa 4 on 15th, 2 on 16th, 20 on 17th, 2 on 18th & 5 on 20th.
Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Z: At South Luangwa 8 on 16th & 1 on 17th.
Water dikkop (Burhinus vermiculatus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 14th, 7 on 16th, 23 on 17th & 3 on 19th *
Three-banded courser (Rhinoptilus cinctus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th and 7, seen very well, on 17th. *
Collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola) Z: At South Luangwa c20 on 15th & c15 on 20th..
Blacksmith plover (Vanellus armatus) Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 17th & 2 on 19th.
White-crowned plover (Vanellus albiceps) Z: At South Luangwa seen daily, max of 30 on 17th.. *
Crowned plover (Vanellus coronatus) M: c30 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: At South Luangwa seen daily, max of 19 on 15th.
Senegal wattled plover (Vanellus senegallus) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa, max of 8 on 15th
Three-banded plover (Charadrius tricollaris) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 1 on 17th & 2 on 19th.
Marsh sandpiper (Tringa stagnalis) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 19th.
Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) M: c20 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 16th & 1 on 17th.
Green sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) M: 1 at Nyika on 9th.
Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola) M: 1 at Nyika on 10th. Z: Small numbers seen daily at South Luangwa.
Common sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa seen daily with max of 15 on 16th.
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) Z: At South Luangwa c15 on 15th, 2 on 17th, 8 on 19th & c15 on 20th.
Grey-headed gull (Larus cirrocephalus) M: Up to 30 seen daily at Senga Bay.
Double-banded sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 14th, 1 on 15th, 3 on 17th, 8 on 18th (exceptional views) & 9 on 19th. *
Red-eyed dove (Streptopelia semitorquata) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 16th & 3 on 18th. Probably overlooked.
Cape turtle dove (Streptopelia capicola) M: 2 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. Z: large numbers seen daily.
Laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 16th.
Emerald-spotted wood dove (Turtur chalcospilos) M: 6 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa c10 on 14th, 2 on 15th, c20 on 17th, 1 on 18th, c10 on 19th & 1 on 20th.*
Tambourine dove (Turtur tympanistra) Z: 1 in Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Namaqua dove (Oena capensis) M: 4 at Senga Bay on 13th.
African green pigeon (Treron calva) Z: At South Luangwa 4 on 16th, 14 on 17th, c100 on 18th & 3 on 20th. *
Rameron pigeon (Columba arquatrix) M: 2 near Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.
Speckled pigeon: 3 at Nairobi airport on 6th.
Meyer's parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 18th & 2 on 19th. *
Cape parrot (Poicephalus robustus) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 16th. *
Brown-headed parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 19th.*
Grey lourie (Corythaixoides concolor) Z: At South Luangwa 9 on 15th, c20 on 16th, 2 on 17th, 5 on 17th & 10 on 19th.
Schalow's turacao (Tauraco schalowi) Z: 4 in Chowo Forest on 8th. Very noisy but elusive in canopies of tall trees. *
Purple-crested turacao (Tauraco porphyreolophus) Z: 2 at South Luangwa on 20th were last (but not the least) new species of the trip. *
Great-spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th.
Jacobin cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 14th, 2 on 15th, 3 on 16th, 2 on 18th & 1 on 20th.*
Black cuckoo (Cuculus clamosus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th & 1 on 18th. *
Striped cuckoo (Cuculus levaillantii) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th & 2 on 18th.
Diederic cuckoo (Chrysococcyx caprius) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: 2 at South Luangwa on 16th.
Emerald cuckoo (Chrysococcyx cupreus) Z: At South Luangwa many heard, superb views of a male on 18th. *
Coppery-tailed coucal (Centropus cupreicaudus) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th. *
Senegal coucal (Centropus senegalensis) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 17th, & 18th.
White-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th & 18th. *
Black coucal (Centropus begalensis) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th. *
Spotted eagle owl (Bubo africanus) M: 1 outside cabins at Chelinda, Nyika, seen on 8th and 9th. Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 19th.
Pearl-spotted owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th. M: Heard in Lilongwe on 20th.*
Barred owl (Glaucidium capense) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th. *
Mozambique nightjar (Caprimulgus fossii) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 1 on 17th & 2 on 19th. * Other nightjars seen but not identified.
Palm swift (Cypsiurus parvus) M: 5 at Senga Bay on 13th and c15 over Lilongwe on 13th.. Z: 2 on way to South Luangwa on 14th. At South Luangwa 4 on 14th, 2 on 15th, c30 on 17th & c20 on 18th.
Little swift (Apus affinis) small numbers Nairobi airport; M: c100 at Lilongwe airport on 7th and c20 over Lilongwe on 13th. Z: Small numbers at South Luangwa.
Horus swift (Apus horus) Z: Up to 20 seen daily at South Luangwa. *
European swift (Apus apus) M: c100 at Lilongwe airport on 7th, many hundreds daily at Nyika and c30
over Lilongwe on 13th. Z: Seen in good numbers at South Luangwa.
Black swift (Apus barbatus) M: c15 over Lilongwe on 13th.
Mottled swift (Apus aequatorialis) M: c10 at Nyika on 9th. *
Red-faced mousebird (Colius indicus) Z: At South Luangwa 7 on 15th & 4 on 18th.
Bar-tailed trogon (Apaloderma vittatum) M: 3 seen well at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. Z: Heard in Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis) M: Small numbers seen daily at Senga Bay, with 7 on 12th. Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa.
Malachite kingfisher (Alcedo cristata) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 16th.
Pygmy kingfisher (Ispidina picta) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 11th and 2 on 12th.
Grey-hooded kingfisher (Halcyon leucocephala) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 14th.
Woodland kingfisher (Halcyon senegalensis) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 14th, c10 on 15th, 3 on 16th, 2 on 17th, 2 on 18th & 2 on 19th.
Striped kingfisher (Halcyon chelicuti) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th. At South Luangwa 1 on 14th & 2 on 15th.
Brown-hooded kingfisher (Halcyon albiventris) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th.
White-fronted bee-eater (Merops bullockoides) Z: Seen daily in small numbers at South Luangwa.. Max of 30 on 17th. *Little bee-eater (Merops pusillus) M: 3 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa. Max of 20 on 16th.
Bohm's bee-eater (Merops boehmi) M: 4 at Senga Bay on 12th. *
Blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 11th and c40 there on 13th. *
European bee-eater (Merops apiaster) M: 9 at Lilongwe airport on 7th and 8 at Senga Bay on 12th; 4 between Lilongwe and border on 14th. Z: 4 on the return journey on 20th.
Lilac-breasted roller (Coracias cordata) M: 1 between Lilongwe and Senga Bay on 11th and 1 at Senga Bay on 13th; c15 between Lilongwe and border on 14th. Z: seen daily, abundant both outside and inside NP. *
European roller (Coracias garrulus) M: 9 at Senga Bay on 13th and c12 between Lilongwe and border on 14th.
Racket-tailed roller (Coracias spatulata) Z: 7 in Mopane woodland at South Luangwa (outside NP) on 18th - very elusive in canopy. *
Broad-billed roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 3 on 17th & 12 on 18th. 1 on the journey towards the border on 20th.
Red-billed wood hoopoe (Phoeniculus purpureus) Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 17th, 7 on 18th & 12 on 19th.
Scimitarbill (Rhinopomastus cyanomelas) Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 15th, 4 on 16th & 7 on 17th. *
Hoopoe (Upupa epops) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 5 on 16th, 5 on 17th, 1 on 18th & 1 on 20th.
Crowned hornbill (Tockus alboteminatus) M: 4 at Nyika on 8th. Z: At South Luangwa 8 on 15th, 2 on 17th, 2 on 18th & 1 on 19th. *
Grey hornbill (Tockus nasutus) Z: Seen daily in large numbers, up to 20, at South Luangwa.
Red-billed hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) Z: Seen daily in large numbers, up to 30, at South Luangwa.
Trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 18th & 8 on 20th. *
Southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) Z: 3 at South Luangwa on 15th. *
Yellow-fronted tinkerbarbet (Pogoniulus chrysonconus) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th and 2 (1 with red fore-crown) there on 13th.
Moustached green tinkerbird (Pogoniulus leucomystax) M: 1 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Black-collared barbet (Lybius torquatus) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th and 1 at Lilongwe on 14th.. *
Crested barbet (Trachyphonus vaillantii) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 15th, 2 on 16th & 1 on 20th.*
Eastern honeyguide (Indicator meliphilus) M: 1 at Nyika on 7th, in scrubby woodland in small valley below Chelinda camp. *
Golden-tailed woodpecker (Campethera albingoni) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th. *
Bennett's woodpecker (Campethera bennettii) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 18th. *
Cardinal woodpecker (Dendropicos fuscescens) Z: At South Luangwa 7 on 15th & 1 on 17th
Olive woodpecker (Mesopicos griseocephalus) M: 2 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.
Rufous-naped lark (Mirafra africana) M: c6 at Nyika on 9th. *
Brown-throated martin (Riparia paludicola) M: 2 at Nyika on 7th.
Banded martin (Riparia cincta) M: 2 at Nyika on 9th.
Blue swallow (Hirondo atrocaerulea) M: Seen daily at Nyika, usually in the small valley below Chelinda Camp. Max of 50 on 7th. *
Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) M: Hundreds seen daily at Nyika and small numbers at Senga Bay. Z: Small numbers at South Luangwa.
Wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii) M: 3 at Senga Bay on 13th and 2 between Lilongwe and border on 14th. Z: At South Luangwa c10 on 15th, 6 on 16th, 10 on 17th, 8 on 18th & 2 on 20th.
White-throated swallow (Hirundo albigularis) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th.
Pearl-breasted swallow (Hirundo dimidiata) Z: At South Luangwa c15 on 15th.
Red-rumped swallow (Hirundo daurica) c10 at Nairobi airport on 6th; M: 2 at Nyika on 8th.
Mosque swallow (Hirundo sengalensis) Z: 5 outside Chowo Forest on 8th. 2 at South Luangwa on 19th.
Lesser striped swallow (Hirundo abyssinica) M: 1 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. Z: At South Luangwa 4 on 16th & 2 on 18th. 4 on the journey towards the frontier on 20th.*
Rock martin (Hirundo fuligula) M: 5 at Nyika on 7th.
House martin (Delichion urbica) M: Hundreds seen daily at Nyika and 4 over Lilongwe on 14th.
White-headed saw-wing (Psalidoprocne albiceps) M: 3 seen feeding around the edge of forest at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.*
African pied wagtail (Motacilla aguimp) M: Common in lowland areas, small numbers at Nyika Z: Common.
Grassveld pipit (Anthus cimmamomeus) M: Common in grassland at Nyika, max of 30 on 9th.
Jackson's pipit (Anthus latistriatus) M: c10 in grassland at Nyika on 9th. *
Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis) M: 5 at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.
Black-eyed bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) M: Common in lowland areas but not seen in Malawian part of Nyika; Z: 1 on edge of Chowo forest, Nyika; common in and around South Luangwa.
Yellow-bellied greenbul (Chlorocicla flaviventris) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th and 1 there on 13th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th.*
Olive-breasted mountain bulbul (Andropadus tephrolaemus) Z: c15 in Chowo Forest on 8th. M: c10 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th; 2 near Chelinda Camp, Nyika on 11th.*
Stripe-cheeked bulbul (Andropadus milanjensis) Z: 4 in Chowo Forest on 8th. M: c10 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Terrestrial bulbul (Phyllastrephus terrestris) Z: c10 in Chowo Forest on 8th. M: 4 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 17th. *
Grey-olive bulbul (Phyllastrephus cerviniventris) Z: 2 in Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Yellow-streaked bulbul (Phyllastrephus flavostriatus) Z: 2 in Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) M: Fewer than 10 seen daily at Nyika.
Arnot's black chat (Thamnolea arnoti) Z: At South Luangwa 1 heard on 17th and 1 seen on 18th. *
Common rock thrush () 2 at Nairobi airport on 6th.
Central bearded scrub robin (Erythropygia barbata) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th. *
White-browed robin (Erythropygia leucophrys) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th. *
Olive-flanked robin (Alethe anomala) M: 1 seen briefly in forest at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.. *
White-breasted alethe (Alethe fuellborni) M: 2 seen very well in forest at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Starred robin (Pogonocichla stellata) Z: 2 in Chowo Forest on 8th. M: 2 adults, 3 juveniles, Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.*
Cape robin (Cossypha caffra) M: Fewer than 5 seen daily at Nyika. Z: 2 seen outside Chowo Forest on 8th.
Collared palm thrush (Cichladusa arquata) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th & 18th. *
Kurrichane thrush (Turdus libonyana) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 15th. *
Willow warbler (Phlloscopus trochilus) M: 1s and 2s seen most days, both at Nyika and in lowland areas. Z: Similar numbers seen at South Luangwa.
Yellow mountain warbler (Chloropeta similis) M: 1 at Nyika on 7th and 2 on 11th, in small valley below Chelinda camp. *
Eastern forest scrub warbler (Bradypterus mariae) Z: 5 in Chowo Forest on 8th. M: 4 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Cinnamon bracken warbler (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) Z: 1 seen well in bracken thicket outside Chowo Forest on 8th. M: Heard daily at Nyika. *
Fan-tailed cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th & 20th.
Ayre's cloud cisticola (Cisticola ayersii) M: Common in montane grassland at Nyika, max of 30 on 9th. Often seen running along tracks. *
Rattling cisticola (Cisticola chiniana) M: 1 at Lilongwe airport on 7th and 2 at Senga Bay on 11th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th & 1 on 18th. *
Red-faced cisticola (Cisticola erythrops) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th & 1 on 19th.
Singing cisticola (Cisticola canatns) M: 1 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. *
Mountain cisticola (Cisticola hunteri) M: Seen daily in montane habitats at Nyika. Max of 15 on 9th. *
Lazy cisticola (Cisticola aberrans) M: 1 at Nyika on 9th. *
Wailing cisticola (Cisticola lais) M: Small numbers seen daily in montane habitats at Nyika. Z: 2 outside Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Churring cisticola (Cisticola njombe) M: Seen daily in montane habitats at Nyika. Max.. of c30 on 7th. *
Black-backed cisticola (Cisticola galactotes) M: 3ad & 1juv seen near Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.. *
Tawny-flanked prinia (Prinia subflava) M: 6 at Lilongwe airport on 7th; 2 at Senga Bay on 12th; and 1 at Lilongwe on 14th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th.
Yellow-breasted apalis (Apalis falvida) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 11th.
Bar-throated apalis (Apalis thoracica) M: 1 on edge of forest at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.
Chestnut-throated apalis (Apalis porphyrolaema) M: 1 at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Brown-headed apalis (Apalis cinerea) Z: 1 in Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Yellow-bellied eremomela (Eremomela icteropygialis) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th. *
Green-capped eremomela (Eremomela scotops) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 13th. *
Bleating bush warbler (Camaroptera brachyura) M: 1 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. Z: At South Luagwa 1 on 15th, 16th, 18th & 19th.
Long-billed crombec (Sylvietta rufescens) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th and 13th.
Southern black flycatcher (Melaenoronis pammelaina) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 16th. *
Spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) M: 1 at Lilongwe Airport on 7th; 2 at Senga Bay on 12th and 1 there on 13th; and 1 at Lilongwe on 14th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 2 on 16th & 1 on 19th.
Blue-grey flycatcher (Musca caerulescens) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 12th and 2 there on 13th.
Slaty flycatcher (Melaenornis chocalatina) M: 1 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Dusky flycatcher (Muscicapa adusta) M: 1 at Nyika on 7th. *
Malawi batis (Batis malawensis) Z: 3 in Chowo Forest on 8th. M: 6 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th and 1 near Chelinda camp on 11th. *
Chinspot batis (Batis molitor) M: 1 at Senga Bay on 11th and 3 there on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 16th & 1 on 17th.
African paradise flycatcher (Tersiphone viridis) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th & 1 on 19th. 1 on journey towards frontier on 20th.
White-tailed flycatcher (Trochocercus albonotatus) Z: c10 in Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Black-chested wattle-eye (Platysteira peltata) M: 1 female at Senga Bay on 13th. *
Arrow-marked babbler (Turdoides jardineii) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 18th. *
Mountain babbler (Alcippe abyssinica) M: 2 in Zovo-Chipolo on 10th.*
Black cuckoo-shrike (Campephaga flava) Z: At South Luangwa 5 (2 males) on 16th.*
Southern black tit (Parus niger) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th. *
Collared sunbird (Anthreptes collaris) M: 1 male at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: 3 at South Luangwa on 18th & 1 on 19th.
Scarlet-chested sunbird (Nectarinia senegalensis) M: 1 male at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: 1 female on way to South Luangwa on 14th. 1 male at South Luangwa on 16th.
Black sunbird (Nectarina amethystina) M: 1 female at Senga Bay on 12th. *
Yellow-bellied sunbird (Nectarina venusta) M: c20 at Lilomgwe airport on 7th.
Miombo double-collared sunbird (Nectarina manoensis) M: 1 on forest edge, Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Greater double-collared sunbird (Nectarina afra) M: 2-4 at Nyika on 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th, all around cabins or in small valley below Chelinda camp. Considered by some authorities to be an endemic species.
Eastern double-collared sunbird (Nectarina mediocris) M: 1 at Zowo-Chipolo on 10th. Z: c15 in Chowo Forest on 8th. Always in forest interior. *
Bronze sunbird (Nectarina kilimensis) M: 6 on forest edge, Zovo-Chipolo, on 10th and 2 in small valley below Chelinda Camp, Nyika, on 11th. *
Malachite sunbird (Nectarina famosa) M: At Nyika 1 on 7th; 1 on 9th; and 5 on 11th.
Yellow white-eye (Zosterops senegalensis) Z: c10 in Chowo Forest, Nyika, on 8th; c15 at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th & c10 at Chelinda Camp, Nyika on 11th. *
African golden oriole (Oriolus auratus) Z: 1 in Brachystegia woodland on way to South Luangwa on 14th. 1 at South Luangwa on 18th.
European golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 16th.
Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th, 9 on 17th, 3 on 18th, 3 on 19th & 1 on 20th. 1 on the journey towards the border on 20th.
Fiscal shrike (Lanius collaris): M: 1 at Lilongwe airport on 7th, small numbers seen daily at Nyika. Z: 5 seen on way to South Luangwa on 14th.
White helmet shrike (Prionops plumatus) Z: At South Luangwa 3 on 16th, 5 on 17th, 6 on 18th & 10 on 20th.*
Retz's red-billed helmet shrike (Prionops retzii) Z: 8 at South Luangwa on 19th. *
Southern puffback (Dryoscopus cubla) M: 1 female on edge of forest at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th; 1 at Senga Bay on 12th and 13th; 1 at Lilongwe on 14th. Z: At South Luangwa 5 on 15th, 2 on 16th, 1 on 17th & 3 on 18th. *
Brown-headed tchagra (Tchagra australis) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th & 1 on 17th. *
Black-crowned tchagra (Tchagra senegala) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th.
Tropical boubou (Laniarius aethiopicus) M: 1 at Lilongwe on 14th. Z: Heard at South Luangwa. *
Fulleborn's black boubou (Laniarius fuelleborni) M: Heard daily Nyika, in small valley below Chelinda camp and around Zovo - Chipolo. Z: Heard on woodland edge at Chowo Foreset, Nyika. *
Orange-breasted bush-shrike (Telophorus sulfureopectus) Z: Many heard at South Luangwa and a pair seen very well on 18th. *
Fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: Seen daily both inside and outside NP.
Pied crow (Corvus albus) M: Common in lowland areas but small numbers only at Nyika; Z: Small numbers around town of Chipata but not seen at South Luangwa.
White-necked raven (Corvus albicollis) M: Over 100 seen daily at Nyika.
Lesser blue-eared glossy starling (Lamprotornis ahloropterus) M: c15 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. Z: Abundant at South Luangwa where seen daily.
Southern long-tailed glossy starling (Lamprotornis mevesii) Z: Seen daily in large numbers at South Luangwa. *
Superb starling: 2 at Nairobi airport on 6th. *
Red-winged starling (Onchyognathus morio) M: c20 at Senga Bay on 12th.
Waller's red-winged starling (Onchyognathus walleri) M: c30 in forest at Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
Wattled starling (Creatophora cinerea) Z: At South Luangwa 12 (2 in breeding plumage) on 19th..
Plum-coloured starling (Cinnyricinculus leucogaster) Z: At South Luangwa 3 males on 16th & 1 female on 17th. *
Yellow-billed oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) Z: At South Luangwa 4 on 17th
Red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythroryhnchus) Z: At South Luangwa 20n 15th, c15 on 17th, c10 on 18th, c20 on 19th. *
White-browed sparrow-weaver (Plocepasser mahali) Z: The most abundant and conspicuous bird at South Luangwa.
Grey-headed sparrow (Passer griseus) M: Common in lowland areas, not seen at Nyika - both Swaheli and southern subspecies identified. Z: Common at South Luangwa.
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) M: 2 at Lilongwe on 14th.
Yellow-throated petronia (Petronia superciliaris) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 15th & 1 on 16th.
Red-billed buffalo weaver (Bubalornis niger) Z: At South Luangwa 6 on 15th, 8 on 16th, c20 on 17th & c20 on 19th. *
Spectacled weaver (Ploceus ocularis) M: 1 at Lilongwe on 14th. *
Bertram's weaver (Ploceus bertrandi) M: 5 at Nyika on 7th, in small valley below Chelinda camp. *
Baglafecht weaver (Ploceus baglafecht) M: 1 at Nyika on 7th and 9th*
Large golden weaver (Ploceus xanthops) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 16th & 4 on 17th.*
Lesser masked weaver (Ploceus intermedius) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th & c15 on 19th. *
African masked weaver (Ploceus velatus) M: 6 at Lilongwe airport on 7th and small numbers at Senga Bay; Z: Small numbers daily at South Luangwa.
Spotted-backed weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) Z: At South Luangwa c30 on 17th, c80 on 18th & c40 on 19th.
Red-billed quelea (Quelea quelea) Z: At South Luangwa 16 on 16th.
Fire-crowned bishop (Euplectes hordaceus) M: 1 at Lilongwe airport on 7th; Z: Seen daily in small numbers at South Luangwa.
Red bishop (Euplectes orix) M: Common in lowland areas, not seen at Nyika; Z: Common in cultivated areas but not in natural habitats within South Luangwa NP.
Yellow-rumped bishop (Euplectes capensis): M: 2 at Lilongwe airport on 7th and 1 near there on 11th; 1 at Senga Bay on 12th; frequent between Lilongwe and Zambian border. Z: abundant outside NP.
Yellow-mantled widow (Euplectes macrourus) Z: 1 male seen on way to South Luangwa on 14th.. *
White-winged widow (Euplectes albonotatus) Z: Seen daily, both inside and outside NP. *
Red-shouldered widow (Euplectes axillaris) M: 1 male seen on way to South Luangwa on 14th.. *
Red-collared widow (Euplectes ardens) M: 16 (1 male) in Nyika on 8th and 7 (1 imm male) there on 10th; 1 male between Senga Bay and Lilongwe on 13th. Z: Several seen on journey from South Luangwa to border on 20th. *
Mountain marsh widow (Euplectes psammocromius) M: Seen daily at Nyika in montane dambos. Max of 13 on 9th. *
Melba finch (Pytilia melba) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 15th & 1 on 17th *
Jameson's firefinch (Lagonosticta rhodopareia) M: 4 at Lilongwe airport on 7th, 1 at Nyika on 10th & 1 at Senga Bay on 12th. *
Blue-billed firefinch (Lagonosticta rubricata) M: 2 at Nyika on 7th and on 11th. *
Blue waxbill (Uraeginthus angolensis) M: c15 at Lilongwe airport on 7th and seen daily at Senga Bay; 4 at Lilongwe on 14th. Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa in small numbers.. *
Common waxbill (Estrilda astrilid) M: c10 at Nyika on 10th and 4 at Nyika on 11th.
East african swee (Estrilda quartinia) M: Seen at Nyika on 7th, 9th and 11th in the small valley below Chelinda camp and on 10th at Zovo-Chipolo. *
Orange-breasted waxbill (Sporaeginthus subflavus) M: 3 at Lilongwe airport on 7th. *
Red-faced crimsonwing (Cryptospiza reichanowii) M: 1 on forest edge, Zovo-Chipolo, on 10th. *
Bronze mannikin (Spermestes cucullatus) M: 2 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: 2 at border control point on both 14th & 20th.
Black widow-finch (Vidua funerea) M: 3 at Senga Bay on 12th and 2 between there and Lilongwe on 13th. Z: At South Luangwa 4 on 15th. *
Steel-blue widowfinch (Vidua chalybeata) Z: 1 on way to South Luangwa on 14th. At South Luangwa 3 on 16th, 3 on 17th, 2 on 18th & 1 on 19th.
Pin-tailed wydah (Vidua macroura) Z: 2 males on way to South Luangwa on 14th and 2 on the return journey on 20th.
Long-tailed paradise wydah (Vidua paradisaea) M: 8 (2 males) between Senga Bay and Lilongwe on 13th. Z: Abundant both inside and outside South Luangwa NP. *
Broad-tailed paradise wydah (Vidua obtusa) Z: 1 male at South Luangwa on 17th. *
Yellow-fronted canary (Serinus mozambicus) M: c15 at Lilongwe airport on 7th, 3 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: At South Luangwa 6 on 15th, c20 on 16th, 1 on 17th, 2 on 18th & c10 on 19th. *
Bully canary (Serinus sulphuratus): c10 at Lilongwe airport on 7th.
Streaky canary (Serinus striolatus) M: 2 at Nyika on 7th in small valley below Chelinda camp and 1 near Zovo-Chipolo on 10th. *
African citril (Serinus citrinelloides) M: Singles at Nyika on 10th and 11th. *
Rock bunting (Emberiza tahapisi) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 1 on 17th & 1 on 18th.. *
Total: 322 (Malawi - 182, Zambia - 210)
Bushpig M: 3 adults and 3 young at Nyika on 9th. *
Warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) M: At Nyika 6 on 9th & 2 on 11th. Z: Common at South Luangwa - 10 on 15th, 5 on 16th, 7 on 17th, 4 on 18th & 6 on 19th.*
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) M: c10 at Senga Bay on 12th. Z: Up to 20 seen daily at South Luangwa. *
Giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa - 8 on 15th, 6 on 17th & 17 on 19th.
Common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 14th.
Red forest duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) M: 1 in Zovo-Chipolo forest on 10th. *
Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) M: Seen daily at Nyika, 10 on 7th, c15 on 8th, 2 on 9th, 4 on 10th & 4 on 11th.* Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th & 1 on 19th.
Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 4 on 17th
Eland (Taurotragus oryx) M: Seen daily at Nyika, 20 on 7th, 40 on 8th, 20 on 9th, 20 on 10th & 20 on 11th.*
Common waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) Z: At South Luangwa c20 on 16th, 5 on 17th & 3 on 19th..
Puku (Kobus vardoni) Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa in small numbers. *
Southern reedbuck (Redunca arundinum) M: At Nyika c15 on 8th, 10 on 9th & 4 on 11th.*
Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) M: Seen daily at Nyika, 6 on 7th, 4 on 8th, 15 on 9th, 20 on 10th & 20 on 11th.*
Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) Z: A pair at Chowo Rocks on 8th.
Impala (Aepyceros melampus) Z: Seen daily, usually in huge numbers, at South Luangwa.. *
Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Z: 100+ on 19th at South Luangwa. *
Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli) M: At Nyika, 15 on 7th, 20 on 9th & 4 on 11th. Z: Seen daily in large numbers at South Luangwa.
African elephant (Loxodonta africana) Z: Common at South Luangwa - 20 on 15th, 11 on 16th, c20 on 17th, c30 on 18th *
Rock hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei) M: 12 at Senga Bay on 12th.
Bush squirrel (Paraxerus sp) Z: At South Luangwa seen most days.
Black and red squirrel (Paraxerus lucifer) Z: 2 at Chowo Forest on 8th. *
Southern scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis) Z: At South Luangwa 4 on 15th, 3 on 17th All on night drives.
Side-striped jackal (Canis adustus) M: 1 at Nyika on 10th. *
Large spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 17th (very poor views) & 1 showing extremely well on 19th. All on night drives. *
Slender mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th, 1 on 18th & 1 on 19th..*
White-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda) Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th & 1 on 19th.*
Spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) M: Heard at Nyika. Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 15th, 1 on 17th & 1 on 19th. All on night drives. *
Bat spp Several seen in both countries. At South Luangwa one in room, both roosting and feeding..
Lion (Panthera leo) Z: At South Luangwa 5 females (from chalet veranda) on 14th and 7 (1 male) around vehicle on evening of 15th. *
Leopard (Panthera pardus) Z: One spotlighted on night drive on 17th. *
Lesser bushbaby (Galago senegalensis) Z: 1 spotlighted on night drive on 19th. *
Yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) M: 32 at Senga bay on 13th. Z: Large numbers daily at South Luangwa - always present in mornings on bridge into NP. *
Vervet monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) M: 3 at Senga Bay on 13th. Z: Common at South Luangwa - c20 on 15th & 17th
Blue monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis) Z: c20 in Chowo Forest, Feb 8th. M: 2 in Zovo-Chipolo forest on 10th. *
Total : 32 species (Malawi 14, Zambia 25)
Leopard tortoise Z: 1 very young individual at South Luangwa on 17th.
Nile crocodile Z: Seen daily at South Luangwa.
House gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) M: Presumably this species in resthouse at Senga Bay.. Z: Same comments, South Luangwa.
Agama (Agama hispida)
Flap-necked chameleon (Rhampholeon nchisiensis) Z: 1 at South Luangwa on 15th. *
Skink (Mabuya sp) Z: Several on cabin.
Water monitor Z: At South Luangwa 2 on 16th, 1 on 17th & 1 on 18th. *
Land monitor Z: At South Luangwa 1 on 17th. *
Spotted bush-snake (Philothamnus semivariegatus) Z: 1 in building at South Luangwa on 14th. 2 snakes in ground hornbills' bills might have been this species but the birds wouldn't release them for identification. *