Shoebill Island

Shoebill Island Camp is hidden away in a thicket perched on a low rise deep in the enormous Bangweulu Swamps of northern Zambia. Bangweulu is a 3,800 square mile wetland of global importance, home to significant numbers of birds and mammals. Shoebill Island Camp has just four safari tents with en-suite bathrooms and a private verandah, all with views across the vast floodplain. The bathrooms have big showers, plumbed hot and cold water and flush toilets. The camp has a large, open sided dining room and bar.

Much of Bangweulu is now part of a community owned conservation project, managed jointly with African Parks, and this has resulted in fish, wildlife and bird populations significantly increasing since its inception. The eponymous shoebill is the primary reason for most people’s visit to Bangweulu, and it is one of the best places in Africa to see it. The other bird-watching here is also incredible, with a huge population of water birds year round, including 10% of Africa’s wattled cranes. Black lechwe are endemic to this region, and can also be seen here in large numbers with more than 50,000 living here. Bangweulu is also a good place for seeing sitatunga, hippo, elephant and buffalo, and cheetah have recently been reintroduced after a 100 year absence.