The swampland surrounding Lake Mweru Wantipa in the far northern part of the country is much the same as the swamps of the Bangweulu in its profusion of waterbirds during the rainy season. The lake is surrounded by local fishing villages. It is possible to ask them to take you through the swamps in a dugout for a negotiable fee.
Mweru Wantipa National Park, adjacent to the lake, used to harbor vast herds of elephants but poaching, however, has depleted most of the wildlife although there are still some small herds of buffalo. There are no tourist facilities but it is possible to camp along the lakeshore.
Size of Mweru Wantipa national park Zambia
Lake Mweru Wantipa or Mweru-Wa-Ntipa meaning “muddy lake” is a lake and swamp system in the Northern Province of Zambia covering an area of 1500 sq km forming part of the Mweru Wantipa national park
Location of Mweru Wantipa national park
Mweru Wantipa National Park is named after Lake Mweru Wantipa in the Northern Province of Zambia. Once hosting abundant wildlife including lion, elephant, and black rhinoceros, it has had no management and protection for several decades and lacks visitor facilities.
How to get to Mweru Wantipa national park
The park can be reached from Nchelenge, continuing on the dirt road alongside Lake Mweru and turning right just after Mununga, then left at Nkoshya. Or, if approaching from the east, after Mporokoso, turn right at Mukunsa and right again at Nkoshya. There is only one road through the park coming out at Kaputa near the Zaire border. The park is inaccessible during the rainy season (Dec-March).
Things to do in Mweru Wantipa national park
In an honest opinion, those that are hard-core birders can access this area and take a local fishermen boat to go and see birdlife in the swamp and this requires you to hire a specialist bird guide from Lusaka or Livingstone.
When to visit Mweru Wantipa national park
The park can be accessed from June to October during the dry season.
Where to stay in Mweru Wantipa national park
There are no tourist facilities in the park but travelers that have everything they need for camping can camp at the lake shores of Mweru Wantipa Lake.
