Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia

Travel & Directions

There are two routes from the Great North Road into Bangweulu Wetlands:

Route A: From Lusaka to Chikuni

· 40km beyond Serenje, take the left turn to Kasanka National Park (and Samfya);

· Go through the Kasanka boom, past the Kasanka gates on the left, and proceed 7km.

· Take the right turn signposted Livingstone Memorial opposite Chalilo.

· At the community School bear right. Stay on this road (it becomes quite narrow) for 32km to Lake Waka Waka and the community camp, signposted to your left;

· Continue from Lake Waka Waka for 35km to Chiundaponde and the Nakapalayo Tourism Project;

· From Chiundaponde continue for 65km to Chikuni and Nsobe Camp, on the edge of the floodplain;

· From Nsobe Camp continue for 10km across the floodplain, following the causeway to Chikuni, and 1km on to Shoebill Island (during the wet season, a boat transfer should be organised from Nsobe.)

Route B: From Mpika to Chikuni

· From Mpika, continue south for 70km on the Great North Road;

· Turn to the right onto a dirt road signposted Chiunda Ponde and Muwele;

· Take this road through the southern corner of Lavushi Manda National Park for 70km to Chiunda Ponde;

· From Chiunda Ponde continue for 65km to Chikuni and Nsobe Camp, on the edge of the floodplain;

· From Nsobe Camp continue for 10km across the floodplain, following the causeway to Chikuni, and 1km on to Shoebill Island (during the wet season, a boat transfer should be organised from Nsobe.)

Airstrips

There are currently two operational airstrips in the area:

· Chimbwi – Chikuni; 1km from Shoebill Island Camp (S11.96800 E 030.25473)

· Inja – Chiundaponde; near Nkondo and Nakapalayo Camps and 65km from Shoebill Island Camp

Landing fees of US$20 per aircraft per landing are payable