Bangweulu Wetlands Best Time To Visit

By Philip Briggs
Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

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The best time to see big herds of the rare in Bangweulu Wetlands is from May to July when water levels have receded and grass attracts the grazers. This is also the best time to find on mokoro (canoe) trips. From December to March, the middle of the Wet season, the wetlands come alive with birdlife. Conditions are, however, difficult then, so November might be the best compromise.

Best Time May to July (Best time for finding shoebills and herds of black lechwe)

High Season Never (The park is never busy)

Low Season Never (The park is never busy)

Best Weather April to September (It is cool and it hardly ever rains)

Worst Weather December to March (It rains a lot)

May to October Dry Season

May to July is the best time to see the shoebill
May to July is the best time to see big herds of lechwe and other grazers
It is sunny and it rarely rains
Low water levels allow for game drives
Shoebills are hard to find from August to October
The sky is very hazy, and the floodplains are dry
Boating opportunities depend on water levels

November to April Wet Season

The first rain brings new grass, attracting the lechwe and other grazers to the floodplains
It’s a wetland paradise
Scenery is green and fresh
Best birding time as migrants are present
Game drives aren’t possible from December to April, only mokoro trips
The area becomes almost inaccessible
Very hot and humid
Many insects and mosquitoes
Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season

Best Time To Go by Major Park

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Bangweulu Wetlands Best Time To Visit

May to October Dry Season

November to April Wet Season

Best Time To Go by Major Park

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