Little-known and remote, the Bangweulu Wetlands are home to the last remaining viable population of black lechwe, and a big draw for birders

Found in the North-Eastern part of Zambia, the Bangweulu Wetlands are little-known but are in fact regarded by the Ramsar Convention as one of the most important areas of wetlands anywhere in the world. They’re also one of the best places for spotting the iconic shoebill.

Mammal life is somewhat limited, owing to the almost perennial presence of standing water, although visitors on a tailor made Bangweulu safari may be able to spot buffalo, elephant, hyena, sable and sitatunga. The Wetlands are also home to the last remaining viable population of black lechwe in Africa, so anyone looking for something truly unique will certainly find this in Bangweulu.

Whilst shoebills are a big draw for birders coming to this part of Zambia, there are a variety of other species that can be spotted here as well on a specialist Bangweulu Wetlands tour, including spoonbill, white pelican, saddle-billed stork and wattled crane.

Remote, difficult and expensive to access with little in the way of accommodation, Bangweulu is somewhere that sits very much on the “special interest” side of places to visit in Zambia. Yet those motivated to go here love the raw wildness that it offers with few other visitors making the journey throughout the year.