Blantyre Zone Pday Safari to Liwonde National Park

Elder Prete was our Safari Guide, driver, driving coach, driver's side photographer etc.

I acted as quarter master, chief cook, and bottle washer, part time driver, half time photographer(depended on which window we were shooting out of).

The Blantyre Zone-left to right-Elder Muthoka (Kenya), Elder Moya (Tanzani), Elder Monyo (Tanzania), Elder Machiridza (Zimbabwe), Sister Napwanga (Zimbabwe), Elder Muhlauyo (Zimbabwe), Sister Getts (Montana), Sister Santinho (Angola), Sister Wallin (Utah), Elder Dettamanti (Utah), Elder Horne (California), Elder Fly (Virginia)

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We encountered several species of Antelope, including Waterbuck

Impala are the most numerous species and many have their own personal groom like this ox pecker.

Impala

We also found some shy and elusive Kudu.  Can you find him?

In case you couldn't find him before, here is another one.

There were numerous strange and wonderful birds.  Malawi has over 490 recorded species.  This is a red Horn Bill.  Can  you guess why?

These handsome fellows are called Southern Ground Hornbills.

And how about this one, called a saddled bill stork.  He is about four feet tall.  Notice the little egret as well.

One of these things is not like the others. The blue ones are Marabou Storks, we are not sure about the other.  They were just sitting in the open savannah in this curious pose.

Primates are everywhere, mostly yellow baboons.

Aaaah! So cute. (Or maybe a face only a mother could love)

Can you see her twins?

We were not able to identify this species. (Elder Fly, Elder Horne, Elder Dettamanti)

This is a Malawi Pirate (Vervet Monkey). He managed to get into Elder Prete's car while we were at the park gate for a potty stop and steal his apple.

Bush bacon is everywhere. They are such handsome devils with their long flowing manes.

We even managed to find this beautiful rock python which was over 2 meters long.

And what would a Safari be without Hippos and Elephants.

and hippos...

...and elephants. This guy was NOT happy to see us. He was stomping, flaring his ears, trumpeting and all kinds of things to let us know of his feelings.

The scenery in Liwonde is spectacular, the wildlife fairly plentiful and the weather was perfect so all in all it was a great zone activity.  We were grateful we could participate with the Blantyre Zone.