Shire River

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A Land Safari in Liwonde National Park with Zeb the Duck

Yesterday we arrived at Liwonde National Park and enjoyed a boat safari on the Shire River.   This morning we get in a safari vehicle and begin looking for more animals.

Our safari vehicle in Liwonde National Park

Our safari vehicle in Liwonde National Park

Soon we see impalas.

Impalas. So graceful

Impalas. So graceful

Impalas are similar to the antelope we see in the western United States.   They are so delicate and graceful.   Several monkeys are seen in the trees and running through the forest.

Monkey

Monkey

The warthogs are so much fun to watch.

Warthog

Warthog

They are always scratching the ground, searching for food.   When they run, they make us laugh, or at least smile.   I, Zeb the Duck, am on this safari, but the ride is fairly rough, so I stay in my travel bag most of the time.   But, here I am now.

I, Zeb the Duck, am on this safari also

I, Zeb the Duck, am on this safari also

This sausage trees has these long, hanging pods that are very hard and look like sausages.

Sausage tree

Sausage tree

Many creatures live in Liwonde National Park.   These ants are very large and very busy.

Busy ants

Busy ants

Here are more nests of the weaver birds.

Nests of Weaver Birds

Nests of Weaver Birds

We saw some similar weaver bird nests on our first outing in Lilongwe, Malawi.   The hippos spend much of the day in the Shire River.

Hippos are always watching

Hippos are always watching

They are such large animals, but in the water you notice the large eyes watching.   Remember this is a premier bird watching destination.   Over 400 species have been seen in this park.   I love the white birds sitting in the tree.

White birds

White birds

Perhaps not rare birds, but a great scene with the white birds, green tree and beautiful blue sky.   There are elephants near the river this morning.

Elephants by Shire River

Elephants by Shire River

Again, large animals that are so comfortable here.   I, Zeb the Duck, like the elephants.   This bird has a beautiful blue tummy.

Pretty bird

Pretty bird

Of course, as a duck, I like birds.   It is time to head back across the Shire River to meet our driver, guides and chef.

Time to cross the Shire River and leave the part

Time to cross the Shire River and leave the part

I like this bridge.

Nice bridge

Nice bridge

We will cross the bridge and leave Liwonde National Park, but we will have another adventure soon.

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Boat Safari at Malawi’s Liwonde National Park with Zeb the Duck

Wow!   I am going to camp at Mvuu Wilderness Camp in Liwonde National Park.

Liwonde National Park in Malawi

We drive to the Shire River and wait for a boat to take us across the river to the lodge and camping area.   We see these hippos on the edge of the river.

Hippos on the bank of the Shire River

Hippos on the bank of the Shire River

Here comes our boat.

Elephant in the Shire River

Elephant in the Shire River

It is passing an elephant in the river!  This is fantastic.   Today will the first safari for this Colorado Traveling Duck.  Mom and two of the humans have been on safaris before, but I am so excited for my first time seeing the animals in the wild.

Shire River from lodge

Shire River from lodge

After getting settled in, we will go on a boat safari.

On the boat for river safari

On the boat for river safari

We are on the Shire River, looking at a resort.

Lodge from river

Lodge from river

Isn’t this monkey wonderful?

Cute monkey

Cute monkey

We passed several crocodiles, but check out the teeth on this one.

Big teeth. And many of them.

Big teeth.  And many of them.

Several waterbuck are along the river; I like mom and child here.

Waterbuck with young

Waterbuck with young

There are so many hippos here.

Hippos with birds

Hippos with birds

They are really big!   The hippos seem to prefer the water.   I think these three, watching, must like us.

Hippos are watching us

Hippos are watching us

I like the warthogs.   They have long shaggy hair on their neck and upper back.

Warthog

Warthog

Our Bradt guidebook for Malawi, says Liwonde is one of the top sites for bird watching in Malawi.   The book also says there are about 2,000 hippos along the river and several crocodiles.   Some of the crocodiles are “terrifyingly large.”   I believe the book.   This bird has a beautiful bright blue head.

Beautiful blue head

Beautiful blue head

Here is a tree full of Malawian birds.

So many birds

So many birds

Another great bird.

Regal bird

Regal bird

There are so many, but I can’t post all the photos.   The sun is getting lower and I like the way the sun’s rays come through the clouds.

Rays of sun through clouds

Rays of sun through clouds

As the sun sets, we return to the lodge and our tents for the evening.

Sun setting over the Shire River in Malawi

Sun setting over the Shire River in Malawi

I know I am going to love safaris.   Tomorrow we will drive in a safari vehicle to look for more animals.   This is a great African day.