Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Despite its proximity to the main railway line, this enormous wetland remains one of Zambia’s least-explored areas. It comprises swamp, open water and seasonally inundated flood-plain and access is difficult. It is part of the Kafue drainage system and, whilst it usually drains into that river, there are occasions when the reverse occurs. There is much small-scale fishing and presumably much human habitation, but further exploration is required.
See Box for key species. The site is very poorly known, but is likely to be very rich in waterbirds. It almost certainly holds important numbers of
Grus carunculatus (a breeding resident) and is presumably an important breeding area for many other species.
Circus macrourus occurs;
Gallinago media and
Egretta vinaceigula have not been recorded, but are likely to occur. There have been two sightings of
Balaeniceps rex, probably wandering individuals, and there is a record of the very localized
Charadrius forbesi. Seven species occur that are restricted to the Zambezian biome (see Table 3).
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals known to occur include Tragelaphus spekii (LR/nt).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
General disturbance caused by human activity is likely to be the principal threat and more specific problems may include nest-robbing at breeding colonies. However, further investigation is required.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lukanga Swamp (Zambia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lukanga-swamp-iba-zambia on 22/11/2024.
