Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LAVUSHI MANDA NATIONAL PARK
The wildlife population of Lavushi Manda National Park, originally created to protect the black rhino population,
was decimated by poaching in the bad old years. Located to the east of Kasanka National Park, it borders the
Bangweulu Wetlands and offers a dramatic rocky landscape rising to 1800m. The World Bank is funding the
park's recovery in partnership with the Kasanka Trust (
www.kasanka.com
)
. Two campsites are planned, as well as
multiday hikes to remote waterfalls.
Bangweulu Wetlands
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The Bangweulu Wetlands is a watery wilderness of lakes, seasonally flooded grasslands,
swamp and unspoiled
miombo
woodland that lies 50km to the north of Kasanka. This
rarely visited part of Zambia is the only place in Africa to see major numbers of black
lechwes
(antelopes with long, curved antlers). There are estimated to be some 100,000
here, enough to rival the great wildebeest migrations of the Serengeti, and the endless
sound of thousands of lechwe hooves clattering and splashing through the marshes could
be one of the standout images of Zambia. The wetlands are also home to the swamp-
dwelling sitatunga and many other antelope species, including oribi, tsessebe, bushbuck
and reedbuck. Attracted by rich pickings, jackals are often seen and hyenas often heard at
night, and, when the floodwaters have receded, herds of elephants and buffaloes venture
here.
Bangweulu is also known for its birds. Some 400 species have been noted, and a partic-
ular highlight for twitchers is the strange and rare shoebill stork. Cruising silently through
the papyrus and lilies in a dugout canoe searching for this elusive evolutionary misfit is a
magical experience. Other birds found here include crowned hornbill, swamp flycatcher,
Denham's bustard, herons, ibis and storks, plus 15% of the world's wattled cranes, and
when the floodwaters are high, huge numbers of water birds, including flamingos and
geese, migrate here from elsewhere in Africa.
The best time to see the lechwe herds is from June to July as the waters have begun re-
ceding, leaving vast plains of fresh green grass. September to November is great for gen-
eral birdwatching, though you may not see shoebills at this time. The best time to see
shoebills is when the water levels are still high but starting to recede, from March to
April. After the waters have retreated you can still see shoebills on canoe trips up until
August.
