The Great Bangweulu Basin, including the Bangweulu Lake as well as a massive wetland area area lies within a low depression in the centre of the Upper Zambian Plateau. The wetland includes17 streams, the main inflow is river Chambesi and draining from Luapula.
The wet season is on from November up to March and leads to surges for the area. The region receives over 1200mm of rain although the water is lost as a result of evapo-transpiration. The water amount varies over the basin between 1 and 2 metres. It is primarily the season’s undulating flood water which in turn defines survival and life around the swamps.

Vegetation
Bangweulu is actually lush with miombo woodland. The floodplain alone is in fact dominated by grasslands reliant on the depth as well as period of the regular flooding. Largely , the wetland consist of parts of open water between fixed deep Papyrus grass and Phragmites reeds that happen to be reached using shallow canoe via the several water channels.
The grassland are marked with plenty of termite mounds. The seasonal inundated floodplains, grasslands plus woodlands contribute towards a greater scope of vegetation which can be home to several animals as well as species of birds for different seasons.

Sights and Tours

The extensive flood plains and swamps are the place to find numerous animals and also abundant birds. The shallow waters are perfect food sources to several local birds and even dry season’s migrants for example the pelicans, wattle cranes, storks, spoonbills and ibises. Waders are likewise cited, regularly seen around the swamp searching for little fish, shrimps and also snails.
The ideal opportunity to come across the exceptional Shoebill Stork is within the rainy period by December up to April. More quite elusive birds that are found in the area include the swamp fly-catcher, marsh tchagra, marsh whydah and also the white cheeked bee-eater. The ground hornbill and Denham’s bustard are usually a common sight as they wander around the grassland to get large insects.
When considering the wildlife, the plains house the water loving lechwe antelope, endemic to the Bangweulu swamps in vast quantities. The termite mounds are favored by the fast tsessebe antelope. The miombo woodland have the oribi, rare sitatunga, reedbuck, duiker, roan, African wild dogs, vervet monkeys, bush pigs. The murky lake swamps have the swimming crocodiles and many wading buffalos and also hippos.
The floodplain is a preserved wetland enjoying worldwide value in the Ramsar Convention. Utmost care ought to be considered when traveling across the flood plain during the dry season. These kinds of campaigns are directed at safeguarding the eco-systems of the park.

Getting there
Go ahead and take Great North Road out of Lusaka, move right from Kapiri Mposhi towards Mpika. This drive normally takes about a full day. Go ahead and take Samfya/Mansa going to the left upon Serenje. Turn right 10kms after the Kasanka turnoff, towards the Livingstone memorial, remain on this specific track for roughly 70km towards the village called Chiundaponde.
A different route would be to travel up to the Lavushi Manda turnoff upon the Great North road, just before Mpika, leading right to Chiundaponde. By the village, travel up to Chikuni Island and then directly for the Shoebill Camp or left for Nsobe Camp. You can request for directions from the WWF camp site located at Chikuni, as it is often very easy to get lost when you get out of this village.
If on a private expedition, be sure you have enough fuel and also spares as this is a secluded countryside. It is actually advisable to just let somebody be aware of whenever you are leaving and once you plan to return. You will find radio services at Shoebill camp with a National Parks & Wildlife Services office around Chiundaponde.
Access is likewise using a hired aircraft arriving at an airstrip just to the swamp’s border.

Best time to visit
During the down pours November until March, the insects and birds are actually everywhere. Many tours over the swamps will be using the boat. With respect to the level of the rain over the summer, this wetland dries out adequately allowing the tracks for 4×4 vehicles until the later part of April.
By June/July, much of the floodplain is actually dry soon the lechwe along with other animals get nearer to the fixed swamp as well as Shoebill Camp. Moreover it is possible to have walks and also experience the broad vegetation which usually grows on the surface of the once open water.
August is significantly the time of winter from the swamps; daytime temperatures will be enjoyable while the evenings are some times freezing in minimum temperatures.

Accommodation
Among the slated places to discover the attractiveness of this extensive floodplain will be a simple vintage styled camp site southerly of the swamps. Shoebill Island Camp managed by Kasanka Trust is in the middle of water as well as reed islands throughout the wet season. It’s possible to go fishing and also go on a boat trip in the swamps. Comfortable canvas safari tents are around for self catering private guests and also fly-in visitors. You will find a simple self catering camping area on the outskirts of the swamps near the village of Chiundaponde. Nsombe camp is actually managed through the local community together with assistance from WWF area project. These grass thatched cottages or chalets are quaint, clean and comfortable.

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