Bangweulu Wetlands
“Where the water meets the sky” is where the iconic shoebill, black lechwe and adventurous spirit are to be found.
Experience Bangweulu
Bangweulu means “where the water meets the sky,” referring to the spectacular view of one of Africa’s most beautiful, remote wetlands. It is here that you will find the immense, sought-after, endangered shoebill. With its enormous clog-like beak, the shoebill is one of a kind, making it the sighting of a lifetime. This is also where you can see black lechwe in the wild. This semi-aquatic antelope species, endemic to the area, moves in thousand-strong herds. From floodplains to swamps, grasslands to woodland, Bangweulu is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with a multitude of bird species, from the tiny, blue-breasted bee-eaters to wattled crane, to be seen.
Bangweulu presents an utterly ‘other’ experience, where the coexistence of people and wildlife can be truly appreciated, and the rich cultural heritage of Bangweulu as a productive fishery can be celebrated.
Shoebill Experience
Bangweulu is one of the best places to view the rare shoebill. Take a half-day or day trip to view this endangered species in its natural habitat.
Available From: Shoebill Island Camp, Nsobe Community Campsite, Nkondo Camp, Makanga Campsite
Self-Drive through Bangweulu
The park is open from 05h00 to 18h00 for day visitors through Nkondo or Tidzibane Gate. 4×4 vehicles with high clearance are required.
Game Drives
Game drives in the early morning or late afternoon can be booked on a 9-seater game viewer, led by a qualified guide who hails from the community.
Available From: Shoebill Island Camp, Nsobe Community Campsite, Nkondo Camp, Makanga Campsite
Guided Walks
Take a walk from camp, either across the floodplains or in the shade of the miombo woodlands with a guide to understand the wealth of this ecosystem.
Available From: Shoebill Island Camp, Nkondo Camp
Community Visit
Visit the local fishing camps to see sustainable livelihood programmes in action, such as traditional fishing methods and fish preservation.
Available From: Shoebill Island Camp, Nkondo Camp
Shoebill “Show and Tell”
Take a guided tour of the Shoebill Rescue Facility, one of the most original conservation efforts that aims to increase the population of this intriguing bird.
Available from: Shoebill Island Camp, Nsobe Community Camp
Specialised Birding
Bangweulu, particularly in the wet season, is a birdlover’s paradise and not just for the shoebill but for a number of special endemics such as the blue-breasted bee-eater.
Available from: Shoebill Island Camp, Nkondo Camp, Nsobe Campsite, Day Visitors
Go Fishing
Meet the fishers of Bangweulu and learn how they make a sustainable catch using traditional methods.
Available from: Shoebill Island Camp
Self-Drive with a Guide
Self-drive guests can request a community guide who brings expertise to the experience; this should be arranged in advance.
Boat or Mokoro in the Wetlands
Mokoro/boat trips are a great way to get into the swamp and see exquisite birdlife, alongside carefully constructed fishing camps and the reality of life in the swamps.
Available from: Shoebill Island Camp, Nsobe Community Campsite
Where We Are
Bangweulu is a community-owned protected wetland, located in north-eastern Zambia, along the upper Congo Basin.
Getting Here
A 10 / 12-hour drive from Lusaka. In the dry season flights can be chartered to land near Shoebill or Nkondo camps.
The Weather
The wet season (Jan-April) has daily rainstorms and high water levels, becoming dryer and cooler from May to July. June/July to December are ideal for game drives.
Feature
It is at Bangweulu where one can view two rare and iconic species: the one-of-a-kind shoebill and endemic black lechwe.
Where to Stay
Bangweulu has two camps and two campsites from which visitors can explore the wetlands, woodlands and areas in between.
Visiting Bangweulu is one of the best ways to support communities, wildlife conservation and the long-term success of Africa’s protected areas. Choose from the different accommodation options available below and enjoy a spectacular wildlife experience.
Nkondo Camp
A classic six-tented camp in the shade of the miombo woodlands, complete with dining area that looks out onto a lush dambo.
Shoebill Island Camp
Set on a remote island, this six-tented camp has a view over a magnificent lagoon offering stunning vistas of life in the swamps.
Nsobe Community Campsite
Co-managed and owned by the community, Nsobe has three chalets and space for 6 campsites.
Makanga Campsite
Enjoy a classic camping experience, with great access to the wetlands – and shoebills – at the start of the wet season.
More about Bangweulu
At 6,000 square kilometres, the Bangweulu Wetlands form a vast, dynamic mosaic of floodplains, seasonal and permanent swamps, and woodlands, sustained by the Chambeshi, Luapula, Lukulu and Lulimala rivers. This rich ecosystem of floodplains, seasonal and permanent swamps and woodlands supports hundreds of fish species and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife, while local fishing communities move with the shifting water levels, maintaining a way of life closely tied to the rhythms of the wetlands.
Across the year, the slow ebb and flow of water brings ever-changing wildlife spectacles. Flooded plains draw vast congregations of waterbirds, while from February to April large herds of black lechwe gather. In the dry months from August to December, woodland and open plains offer sightings of tsessebe, buffalo around waterholes, and hyaena emerging at dusk. With over 400 bird species – including one of Africa’s largest populations of wattled cranes – Bangweulu is recognised as both an Important Bird Area and a Wetland of International Importance, rewarding visitors with exceptional biodiversity in every season.