The vast Bangweulu Wetland System is one of Africa’s most important wetland resources and a designated Ramsar site. The area is divided into 3 main habitats, open water to the North West (near Samfya), huge swamps in the middle and around the south-eastern fringes, and seasonally flooded grass plains.

The Bangweulu is renowned for its vast population (100,000) of endemic black lechwe that occur in herds of up to 10,000. Also common are tsessebe, oribi and sitatunga. At certain times of year, there is a profusion of waterfowl, wattled crane occur in large numbers and the most notable special is of course the rare shoebill stork, a strange bird lost in time and more in tune with the dodo. In fact, Bangweulu is probably the best place remaining in the world to see Shoebill storks in the wild.

WHEN TO VISIT:

January/February:
Waters starting to rise and birds return. Black Lechwe slosh around the swamps in their thousands. Shoebills return to the area in February.

March/April/May: Phenomenal birding. Probably the very best months for the real purist! Water levels reach their peak in March but remain high through April and May. This attracts an incredible number of birds with Shoebills often seen in the camp! The camp is open, although getting there can be an adventure in March. Game animals are also around with Elephant and Buffalo complimenting the huge herds of Lechwe and Tsessebe. Access to the camp is still by boat, but by during May it usually becomes possible to do gamedrives as well.