Bangweulu Swamps & Kasanka National Park

 

Bangweulu Swamps

In the north west of Zambia's central region is a low-lying basin - containing Lake Bangweulu - that receives one of Zambia's highest rainfalls of over 1,400mm per year. To the south west of the lake are the Bangweulu Swamps, a fascinating seasonal marshland, which was designated a Wetland of International Importance in 1991. It is almost completely undeveloped with no roads and very simple facilities. There are many local residents here, who still hunt and fish for survival as their ancestors have done for centuries before them.

At the end of the dry season, the southern side of the swamp is dry yet towards the end of the rains, the whole of this low-lying area turns into a shallow swamp attracting incredible birdlife and massive amounts of game. As the seasonal cycle progresses, the land begins to dry out again and the animals head back towards the lake.

Birds are an enormous attraction, especially the rare dodo-like 'shoebill stork'. Other visitors include flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, ducks, geese, cranes, storks and ibis. Waders are common sights amongst the reeds of the swamp - such as sandpipers, godwits and avocets. Animals include huge herds of black lechwe, said to be endemic to this region, sitatunga, reedbuck, tsessebe, oribi, zebra, elephant and buffalo. Hyena, leopard and jackal are sometimes seen although predators are generally uncommon here.

 

Kasanka National Park

South of the Bangweulu Swamps is this small, delightful, privately managed national park, whose proceeds are reinvested in conservation and community development. It is very flat, has a high rainfall and consequently it is covered in lush vegetation, predominantly miombo woodland.

Despite heavy poaching during the 1970s and 1980s, game numbers are healthy. There are many different species of antelope in the park as well as a resident herd of elephants. Small carnivores abound with caracal, jackal, civet, genet and cape clawless otter all regularly sighted. A colossal colony of fruit bats is one of the park's more renowned spectacles and it is also a sensational place for bird watching.

With thanks to Kasanka for the use of images