With almost 400 species recorded, Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve offers great bird watching. Lake Kazuni is an excellent place to look for waterbirds, including ducks, storks, egrets and herons. African fish eagles are regularly seen at the lake, while other raptors include osprey and Dickinson’s kestrel. A guided walk is recommended to get a closer look at some of the waders. Farther afield, the rocky base around Kawira Ranger Camp is one of the best places to look for the very localized babbling starling and chestnut-backed sparrow-weaver.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
(NE) near-endemic = lives in Malawi and neighboring countries- African grey hornbill
- Babbling starling (NE)
- Bennett’s woodpecker
- Black-collared barbet
- Böhm’s flycatcher
- Broad-tailed paradise whydah
- Brown-necked parrot
- Carp’s tit
- Chestnut-backed sparrow-weaver
- Collared palm-thrush
- Golden-breasted bunting
- Greater honeyguide
- Green-backed woodpecker
- Grey crowned crane
- Grey-headed bush-shrike
- Martial eagle
- Meyer’s parrot
- Miombo pied barbet
- Purple-crested turaco
- Racket-tailed roller
- Rufous-bellied tit
- Senegal lapwing
- Swainson’s spurfowl
- White-breasted cuckoo-shrike
- White-headed black chat
Best Time for Bird Watching
Vwaza Marsh WR has good birdlife throughout the year. However, the Wet season (November to April) is the best time for bird watching as migratory birds are in the reserve. The Dry season (May to October) is the best time for general wildlife viewing, with conditions ideal from July onward.