Hi
Anyone knowledgeable about holidaying/birding/travelling in Zambia? possibly going late autumn 2007
any help appreciated
scodger
[QUOTE=scodger]Hi
Anyone knowledgeable about holidaying/birding/travelling in Zambia? possibly going late autumn 2007
any help appreciated
scodger[/QUOTE]
Hi Scodger
I visited in November 2004. I went on organised group tour but guess that there would be little trouble travelling as an individual. Check out Kasanka area and Bangweulu Swamps as well as South Luangwa. Lots of info available on the web. North Luangwa sounded good to me but we didn't touch upon that area. I think it is less visited and not so set up for tourists.
I had the choice of travelling in May or November. I choose November as I wanted to see the migration of the millions of Fruit Bats that congregate at Kasanka. I wasn't disappointed in them. However it was made clear to me by the guys I met out there that birding in Kasanka and Bangweulu is far better in May. You may want to take that into account. See what others have to say. Seemed to be little chance of Shoebill in November for example. The swamps at Bangweulu were dry.
Much, if not most of Zambia remains unvisited by tourists and to go on your own is not a good idea, not becuase its dangerous (its a wonderful and very friendly country), but becuase the ecotourism in Zambia is pretty new and its rather difficult to travel around on your own. Luangwa mentioned by Brian is probably among quite few places which so far got any lodges or hotel-typed things.
But the Victoria falls is just a must for everyone which visit Zambia, amazing sight and the birding in and around the falls is very fascinating, loads of swifts and bird of preys here.
Zambia is quite unique to hold an endemic species, Chaplin's Barbet and also this is one thing you should try to see on a visit to Zambia, the area around the Nkanga River is probably the best place to see it (saw over 20 individuals during my visit).
Lochinvar NP, I havent been to but I have heard that around 40.000 waterbirds comes together here during the wet season.
The famous Miombo woodlands is also highly recommended with some great woodland and grassland species, also a very good site for nightjars and owls.
The wet-season are the best time for waterbirds, winter guests and typically grassland birds, while most other species can bee seen here all year around.