3-Day Dzalanyama Bird watching or Walking break
A short excursion into the heart of a unique Brachystegia woodland - home of numerous rare bird, tree and butterfly species
COST - US $ 285.00 p/p sharing - Single Supplement $ 14.00
(1 night / 2 day option costs $ 225 p/p min 2)
Area: - Malawi - SW of Lilongwe in Mountain Range
Duration: - 2 Nights / 3 days
Season: - All year - Best for birds Oct - May
Persons: - Minimum 2 - max 8
Interest: - Bird watching, forest walking.
Day 1: -
Depart Lilongwe mid morning and drive to Dzalanyama Forest Reserve.
Driving time 1 & 1/2 hrs. Lunch followed by a walk in and around
the surrounding Brachystegia Forest and nearby stream. Evening dinner.
Overnight Dzalanyama Forest Lodge.
Day 2: -
After an early cup of tea or coffee and a light snack, we go on an
approx. 4 hr walk. The area is renowned for its excellent bird life and
at times small antelope are seen. Return to the lodge and enjoy a
delicious brunch [eggs, bacon, toast, salads, cold meat etc] after
which there is time to relax or swim in the cool mountain stream that
flows past the front of the lodge. The afternoon is spent around the
waterfalls--a short drive away. We return to the lodge as it gets dark,
using a spotlight to see nocturnal animals and birds. Evening dinner.
Overnight Dzalanyama Forest Lodge.
Day 3: - Morning at leisure, with a full breakfast, then we depart to Lilongwe in time for your onward journey or connection.
Includes: - Transport Lilongwe return, accommodation per person sharing, all food, walks and drives.
Excludes: - Alcoholic and bottled drinks, local gratuities
Birds: - There are over 300 bird species within the Dzalanyama reserve - some interesting species include: white
tailed blue flycatcher, african citril, hilderbrandts francolin, bar
tailed trogon, miombo pied barbet, wood pipit, stielings woodpecker,
central bearded scrub robin, eastern double collard sunbird and stripe
breasted canary.
The Reserve -
Dzalanyama
is a range of steep sided hills NW - SE direction for 70 km forming a
border that runs along the watershed between Malawi and Mozambique.
From 1911 it had been part of the Central Angoni Highlands Game
Reserve. However, hunting pressure on the Southern side of the reserve
[Mozambique] displaced the animals. It was gazetted as a forest reserve
in 1922 and in 1930 the area was officially forested. Brachystegias are
by far the most dominant kinds of trees with 3 dominant species
sometimes entirely covering large areas. Other species found are Msuku (Uapaca) and clumps of Nyowe (Eugenia Cordata).
At the highest points and fringing the higher streams there are patches
of montane evergreen woodland. In 1977 Pine and Eucalyptus trees were
introduced. The reserve is currently 989.35 sq. km's with an altitude
of 1100m to 1650m ASL. It is 60 km from Lilongwe
Dzalanyama Forest Lodge is
set overlooking the Makata Stream amongst the Brachystegia trees, which
attract a wide variety of birds and butterflies. It is the ideal
retreat from which to enjoy bird watching, hiking and to simply enjoy
the solitude of the surrounding forest. Hyena, leopard and recently a
small group of sable antelope have been sighted along with the regular
sightings of baboon and duiker.
* Sleeps a max of 8 people. * Each room has its own basin with hot & cold water.
* There is one bath and one toilet servicing the house. * Lighting is by candles, gas or paraffin lamps.