Shoebill Safari

South Luangwa, Kasanka National Parks and Bangweulu Swamps

6 night itinerary

Nkwali Camp 2 night,
Wasa Camp 2 nights,
Shoebill Camp 2 nights.

Join Jacob Shawa for this exceptional trip covering the South Luangwa, Kasanka, and Bangweulu swamps. On the hunt for the remarkable shoebill stork, you will also encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, and host of other species.

The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9000 sq. km. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 450 species of birds.

The Bangweulu wetlands, just north of Kasanka are one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife secrets with over 100,000 black lechwe and the world’s most visible shoebill storks. Kasanka is famed for having over 400 bird species, as well as both the tsessebe and sitatunga species of antelope. The South Luangwa and Zambezi River add to the wildlife experience with the chance to see wild dog and explore the lush, colourful landscape at this time of year.

Itinerary

Day 1 On arrival at Lusaka International Airport, you will be met by a representative from Robin Pope, who will assist you with your luggage and check-in for your flight to Mfuwe. Jacob will be waiting for you at the Mfuwe airport where he will drive you to Nkwali Camp. The drive to Nkwali Camp is 1 hour through colourful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. On Robin’s private land, and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time in the day you will enjoy a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali or if in the afternoon for tea and the afternoon and night game drive. .

Nkwali Camp

Day 2 This is a full day to explore the Luangwa, onboard a vehicle or on foot.

Nkwali Camp

Day 3 After breakfast around the camp fire you will be transferred to Mfuwe Airport with Jacob for the 50 mins flight to Kasanka National Park. Depending on your flight time you may arrive in time for lunch and then enjoy birding for the afternoon with Jacob along the Luwombwa River. With luck you may see African finfoot, ross’ lourie, pel’s fishing owl and osprey. Returning to camp for dinner and an early night or after dinner drinks around the camp fire.

Wasa Camp

Day 4 Enjoy a day of birding and game watching in the hope of seeing many mammal species such as Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable antelope, reedbuck and the rare blue monkey. Visit the sitatunga hide with its panoramic views over the Kapabi Swamp where you can spot as many as 40 sitatunga feeding at one time.

Wasa Camp

Day 5 Transfer by plane to Bangweulu Swamps, arriving at Shoebill Camp by boat from the airstrip. The search by boat and foot will start - to track down the elusive Shoebill. Back to camp for lunch and out again after tea to see the herds of antelope for which the area is famous. Dinner is simple but adequate and then an early night.