Visit Bangweulu

Bangweulu Travel Information

When To Visit

During the wet season, from February to April, the plains come alive with birdlife and are a birdwatcher’s paradise. Interspersed with daily rainstorms, much of the landscape is flooded. Please note that Shoebill Camp and Nsobe campsite are closed at this time due to high water levels. For visits during this time, guests can stay at Nkondo Tented Camp (two hours from the swamp) but should enquire first about road access to the plains.

Shoebill Island Camp opens on the first of May, flights in at this time should be directed to Inja Airstrip (close to Nkondo). Chimbwi airstrip is generally dry from June onwards, please enquire first before landing here. May through to July, the rains have abated and the weather is much cooler. This is the perfect time to see the huge herds of lechwe, vast flocks of migratory birds, and Shoebills, all of whom follow the water levels for their foraging and feeding. Nsobe campsite opens as soon as the water levels begin to drop and the camp is dry. Mokoro/boat trips are a great way to get into the swamp and see the exquisite bird life, alongside the carefully constructed fishing camps and the reality of life in the swamps.

August to December is the real dry season, and during this period the conditions are ideal for game drives and camping; find the groups of Tsessebe herds in the woodlands, or the gatherings of Buffalo around the water holes. Watch the hyena leave their dens at sunset to go hunting, and return again at dawn for a good day’s sleep. Shoebills start to move north with the receding water levels, making sightings of Shoebills significantly harder from September onwards.

Just a short flight from the Luangwa Valley, Bangweulu makes an ideal day trip for those on a big game safari in the area, who are curious to see something different. Bangweulu presents an utterly ‘other’ experience, where the coexistence of people and wildlife can be truly appreciated, and the rich cultural heritage of Bangweulu as a productive fishery can be celebrated.

Need To Know

The park is open from 05h00 to 18h00 for day visitors.

Fees for international day visitors: 

• Adult park fees: US$10
• Child park fees (7 to 12 years, inclusive): US$5
• Child park fees (6 years and younger): Free

Fees for Zambian citizen day visitors:

• Adult park fees: ZMW 180
• Child park fees (7 to 12 years, inclusive): ZMW 90
• Child park fees (6 years and younger): Free

Health Essentials

Yellow Fever inoculation certificates are no longer a requirement for entry into or departure from Zambia. However, visitors travelling on to other countries in Africa are advised to contact their doctor at least eight weeks before travel for up-to-date advice on their vaccination requirements and other health precautions. We also suggest that travellers take appropriate medical insurance for their holiday.

Please note that Bangweulu is a malaria area. It is important to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellents, as well as by wearing long sleeves and trousers in the evenings and mornings. It is also advisable that visitors take prophylaxis medication prescribed by a doctor.

When it comes to drinking water, avoid drinking tap water unless it is boiled or filtered. Bottled water is widely available in Zambia.

Travel Essentials

Although chiBemba is the predominant local language spoken in the Bangweulu area, English is Zambia’s official language and one can usually find someone who speaks English, even in remote areas.

Please note that all visitors to Zambia require a passport valid for at least six months from arrival. A number of countries either do not require a visa to visit Zambia, or may be issued one at their port of arrival. For confirmation, it is advisable to check with the Zambia Immigration department: http://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm

The local currency is Zambian Kwacha (ZMW). Many tourist destinations will accept US dollars, but change may be a problem if paying with large denomination notes. Try to have some small denomination ZMW notes for buying fresh produce and other supplies at local markets.

Safety Essentials

Although Zambia is a relatively safe country, always try to travel during the day and give yourself ample time to get to your destination – even quite short distances can require long travel times because of bad road conditions, and 4X4 vehicles with good clearance are recommended in most places. Start your journey with a full fuel tank and plenty of supplies – this should be done in big towns like Serenje or Mpika, as there is no fuel available in the remote areas. Please be aware that cell phone coverage is largely absent in the area. Some small towers have been erected at Chiundaponde and Muwele near Nsobe, but the signal is often poor.