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Bangweulu Wetlands

The Original Safari Destination

Bangweulu Wetlands

The Bangweulu Wetlands are located in the Northeast of Zambia. It’s an extremely remote destination with only one camp in the area. Bangweulu means ‘the place where the water meets the sky’. It’s the perfect description for these globally important and stunning wetlands in Zambia. This extraordinarily rich and diverse ecosystem is home to 400 bird species, including the Shoebill stork which has been listed as a vulnerable species. The Wetlands play host to a variety of ungulates. Which include the endemic black lechwe. The carnivores include jackals and hyenas, as well as crocodiles and at least 80 fish species. The African Parks Organisation are successfully managing the park and have reintroduced different herbivore species into the park.

highlights

Sitatunga Antelope

Shoebill Storks

The Bangweulu Wetlands is a protected area and one of the best places to view the rare Shoebill storks, especially during the dry season from May – July, with better sightings normally at the beginning of the season. The Shoebills come to Bangweulu to breed. African Parks have specialists monitoring these birds and their breeding sites.
Shoebill Stork
Pelicans in Flight

Birdlife

The Bangweulu Wetlands are home to over 400 species of birds, including some of the best waders & waterbirds around.

Endemic Black Lechwe

The Wetlands are home to the endemic Black Lechwe and large herds can be seen quite easily during the dry season from May – July. During this time the male lechwe compete heavily for the females attention and this seems to be their main purpose in life as they take no part in raising and defending their offspring. This makes them easy prey for the big cats.
Black Lechwe

The Rare Sitatunga Antelope

The Sitatunga is an aquatic antelope known for their extraordinary shyness. The Wetlands are probably the best place to find these shy aquatic antelopes. Look deep into the reeds or for their muzzle above the water to find them. These rare antelopes have a reputation for being one of Africa’s most secretive animals.

Biggest Mammal Migration

The area is home to the biggest mammal migration. During the months of November and December, 15 million Fruit Bats gather here from all over Africa!
Bats
Community in Bangweulu Wetlands

MEET THE BANGWEULU COMMUNITIES

Meet the local communities, who migrate seasonally with the water levels and depend on the marshlands to sustain their traditional way of life. Guests can also visit the local villages and fishing camps to see sustainable livelihood programmes in action, such as traditional fishing methods and bee-keeping.

Best time to visit

May to October is the Dry Season.
From May to August is the best time to see the shoebill stork, from June to July is the best time to see big herds of lechwe and other grazers. During this season the weather is nice and sunny and rarely rains. The Low water levels allow for game drives and canoe trips The sky is very hazy, and the bush looks parched in September-October and Mornings are cold from May to August.

November to April – Wet Season

The first rains in November brings new grass attracting the lechwe and other grazers and the water levels are highest in March and April, making it a wetland paradise. The scenery is green and fresh and it’s the best birding time as migrants are present. Game drives aren’t possible from about December to April, only canoe trips. The weather is hot and humid and there can be many insects and mosquitoes.Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season

Best time to Visit Bangweulu Wetlands

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