Bangweulu Swamps
The Bangweulu Swamps is an enormous wetland wilderness covering an area of 1930 square miles with low islands, floodplains, reed beds and shallow lagoons. The swamps are situated in a shallow basin at the centre of an ancient crater platform. The basin is fed by 17 perennial rivers but is drained by only one river – the Luapula. The swamps are similar in size to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, but not as well known or well visited.
During the wet season between November and March the area receives an average rainfall of approximately 1200mm but most of the water is lost to evapotranspiration. During this period the water levels in the centre of the basin varies between one and two metres causing the flood line to advance and retreat by up to 17 miles and it is this seasonal rise and fall of the waters determines what species inhabit the area.
The Bangweulu Swamps has its own endemic species of antelope – the water loving Black Lechwe and it is also home to one of Africa’s rarest birds, the prehistoric looking Shoebill Stork. The periphery of the swamps has been inhabited by man for hundreds of years but the area is so vast that human existence pales in comparison to the huge amount of wildlife that dwell on the infinitely flat grasslands.
Termite mounds are a dominant feature in the area. Livingstone once described the Bangweulu floodplain as “a world of water and anthills”. These mounds have acted as islands allowing the survival of tree seedlings which over time have formed woodlands of sausage and wild fig trees.
The woodlands are home to duiker, reedbuck, roan, wild dog, vervet monkey, mongoose and bush pig and when the waters recede herds of elephant and buffalo migrate to the area to feed on the grass. Crocodile and hippo are found in the permanent water channels.
Bangweulu attracts a profusion of birdlife including the Saddle-billed stork, Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis, White cheeked bee-eater, Fulbourne’s longclaw, Spur winged goose, Denham’s bustard, wattled crane and of course the elusive Shoebill stork.
