Bangweulu Wetlands
Overview
Zambia Parks
Philip has travelled through Zambia several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.
Bangweulu Wetlands is home to the very localized black lechwe. Thousands of these semi-aquatic antelope can be seen wading through the water. Aside from the lechwe, the park is mainly a birding destination with the rare, sought-after shoebill being the main attraction.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Bangweulu is not a classic wildlife destination. The main attraction is its birdlife. There are, however, huge herds of the endemic black lechwe, and this is the only place to see this graceful antelope. Another wetland special is the elusive sitatunga. Two other unusual antelope – tsessebe and oribi – can usually be seen grazing on the floodplains.
Scenery
The wetlands are located in an area known as the Great Bangweulu Basin, a shallow depression fed by 17 rivers. The water level in the center varies between one and two meters, causing the floodline to move over 40km/25mi between the seasons. The area, subject to rising and retreating waters, is the wetland on which the black lechwe and other creatures depend.
Weather & Climate
Bangweulu has a tropical climate that sees average daytime temperatures staying uniform throughout most of the year. The exception is the transition from Dry season (May to October) to Wet season (November to April), when temperatures go up by a couple of degrees. Rain and heat both diminish in the drier months.
Best Time to Visit
Early in the Dry season (May to October), when the water level goes down and there’s plenty of grass for herbivores, is the best time to explore Bangweulu. Animals such as storks and black lechwe are abundant at this time. In the Wet season (December to April), you can forget about doing any driving, but canoe trips are still offered.
Want to Visit Bangweulu Wetlands?
Safari Tours to Bangweulu Wetlands
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![21-Day Ngonye Liuwa Plain, Kafue, South Luangwa Tour]()
21-Day Ngonye Liuwa Plain, Kafue, South Luangwa Tour
$13,000 to $14,100 pp (USD)
Zambia: Private tour
Mid-range Camping & LodgeYou Visit: Livingstone (Start), Mosi-oa-Tunya NP, Victoria Falls, Ngonye Falls (Highlight), Liuwa Plain NP, Barotse Floodplain, Kafue NP, Lochinvar NP, Lusaka (City), South Luangwa NP, Luambe NP, North Luangwa NP, Mutinondo, Bangweulu Wetlands, Kasanka NP, Kundalila (Highlight), Lusaka (End)
Kubwa Five Safaris
5.0/5 – 70 Reviews
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![15-Day Zambia Walking Safari]()
15-Day Zambia Walking Safari
$3,037 to $3,470 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesZambia: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Mfuwe (Start), South Luangwa NP, North Luangwa NP, Mutinondo, Bangweulu Wetlands, Kasanka NP, Kundalila (Highlight), Lusaka Airport (End)
Adventure Purists
4.8/5 – 10 Reviews
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![14-Day Wild Zambia]()
14-Day Wild Zambia
$3,744 pp (USD)
Scheduled Start DatesMalawi & Zambia: Shared tour (max 12 people per vehicle)BudgetCamping & Lodge
You Visit: Lilongwe (Start), Luambe NP, North Luangwa NP, Kapishya Hot Springs (Highlight), Kasanka NP, Bangweulu Wetlands, Mutinondo, South Luangwa NP, Lilongwe (End)
Land & Lake Safaris
4.5/5 – 20 Reviews
