THREE WAYS TO PLAN AND BOOK YOUR ZAMBIA SAFARI WITH AFRICANMECCA

1 Call Travel Offices
2 Email Safari Experts
3 Office Appointment
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SAFARI & TOUR OF BANGWEULU SWAMPS IN ZAMBIA

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CONTACT AN EXPERT ON BANGWEULU SWAMPS SAFARI

Safari Exploring & Touring Bangweulu Swamps

Deep in the heart of Zambia, the spectacular Bangweulu Swamps are an enormous flooded wilderness of islands, reed-beds, flood plains and shallow lagoons, similar in size to Botswana's Okavango Delta. The Bangweulu Swamps surround Lake Bangweulu in thousands of kilometers. The area floods in the wet season between November in March, receiving an average annual rainfall of about 1200mm, but 90% of the water entering the system is lost to evapo-transpiration. The resultant effect is that the water level in the center of the basin varies between one and two meters, causing the floodline to advance and retreat by as much as 45 kilometers at the periphery. It is this seasonal rising and falling of the flood waters that dictates life in the swamps. One of the best reasons for experiencing Bangweulu Swamps' watery wilderness is the remarkable experience of this infinite flat expanse. The views to the horizon seem endless and one imagines one can almost see the curve of the planet. The birdlife is just magnificent and the sight of the endemic Black Lechwe, which is unique to the floodplains of the Bangweulu swamps, which can gather in herds of up to several thousands following the floodwaters as they recede during the year. The sitatunga are seen in Bangweulu Swamps are good swimmers and can spend the greater part of the day immersed in water and when disturbed, can submerge with just their nose visible. The Oribi, a shy and petite antelope, enjoys the long grasses and can frequently be seen in the late afternoon when small family groups stand up to feed. The areas surrounding the termite mounds, characteristic of the swamps is an environment much favored by the tsessebe, the world's fastest antelope, which can be seen in herds of over a hundred strong. Also seen in the woodlands are common duiker and reedbuck. Less frequently roan, wild dog and vervet monkeys, as well as smaller more nocturnal mammals such as mongooses and bushpigs.

The areas surrounding the termite mounds, characteristic of the swamps is an environment much favored by the tsessebe, the world's fastest antelope, which can be seen in herds of over a hundred strong. Also seen in the woodlands are common duiker and reedbuck. Less frequently roan, wild dog and vervet monkeys, as well as smaller more nocturnal mammals such as mongooses and bushpigs. Later in the year, when the Bangweulu Swamp flood waters have receded, buffalo and to a lesser extent elephant move into the area to feed on the plentiful grasses. Numerous crocodile and hippo are found in the permanent water channels or lurking in the papyrus reeds. Vast open floodplains, several kilometers wide exist at the periphery of the permanent swamps. These may lie under a blanket of water from a few centimeters to a meter deep from 3-6 months a year depending on the extent of the summer rainfall. These shallow waters provide ideal feeding grounds for huge numbers of indigenous birds as well as numerous summer migrants, many who will have traveled the length of Africa to winter-over in the swamps. White and pink backed pelicans, wattled cranes, white storks saddle billed storks, spoonbills and ibises in flocks numbering in the hundreds as well as many species of the smaller waders, are a common but dramatic sight when the waters are rich in small fish, shrimps and snails. One of the most rare and elusive birds in Africa, the shoebill stork, which is in fact closer to the pelican family than a stork, favors the Bangweulu Swamps as one of their last remaining habitats and during the early months following the rains, this strange looking bird can regularly be seen on the fringe between the permanent swamps and the floodplains. Other fairly rare birds that are reasonably abundant in the area include the swamp fly-catcher, marsh tchagra, marsh whydah and the white cheeked bee-eater. The ground hornbi ll and Denham's bustard are also a common sight as they patrol the grassland for large insects. The Bangweulu Swamps are a protected wetland having international importance under the RAMSAR Convention.

AFRICANMECCA REVIEWS

What are our Customers saying about our safari holidays?

  • On behalf of myself, my wife and my two adult daughters, I want to sincerely thank you and AfricanMecca Safaris for our fabulous recent safari. Everything you promised exceeded our expectations and was superb, which is saying a lot since this was our second trip, having had a wonderful Botswana Safari 10 years ago. Do not ever hesitate to use me as a reference.
    Robert Schenkein - prVision Photography Studio - Colorado, United States
  • Chobe was delightful, less than half full. Sussi and Chuma, very nice, again only 13 people in all. All the game drives and river cruises were excellent. We had great weather. The ability to get really close is in inspiring. EVERYWHERE we went, the people were warm, helpful and charming. Thank you so much. We will be recommending your services to all.
    Thomas Kelch - California, United States
  • Raza Visram at AfricanMecca planned the most amazing trip for my friend and I. I wanted to go to 4 countries in 15 days and he made it happen. It was an aggressive itinerary and Raza planned it so well, that the transitions were seamless. The last leg of the trip was Botswana for another Safari and we stayed at the most beautiful lodge. The excitement in seeing the animals so closely is indescribable.
    Karin Alsdorf - New Jersey, United States
  • I had a wonderful trip to Africa and I would highly recommend your company.I have been to Africa many times and I have never had such wonderful service. The guide and safari vehicle were both great and all the lodges were outstanding. We will be going to Africa again the year after next and I assure you I will be contacting you. Thanks again for arranging such a great trip.
    Ronald Price, President, Ron Price Motors Group - California, United States
  • Greetings to you and our most fervent thanks for a wonderful trip of Kenya, Zanzibar, South Africa & Victoria Falls. This was truly a perfect vacation. Thank you so much for all your arrangements. It was a trip filled with different kinds of adventures. We experienced and learned so much. Would highly recommend it to others who are interested in similar trips. Wishing you the very best.
    Adrienne & Barrie Carter - Canada
  • Thank you for everything; we had an amazing honeymoon. Words really can't describe our experience, all we can really say was that it was the most amazing experience of our lives and we would recommend AfricanMecca to anyone. We hope to visit Africa again sometime next year! Thank you & all of your staff for an amazing & perfect honeymoon.
    Rick Sagoo - London, United Kingdom

CONTACT AND TALK TO OUR ZAMBIA TOUR EXPERTS TODAY TO START YOUR TRIP PLANNING PROCESS

Request Zambia Custom Or Tailor-Made Safari Vacation Pricing Based On Your Specific Travel Dates At Your Preferred Safari Tier Lodge Or Camp

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