Stalking the Shoebill

Some wildlife sightings are handed to you on a platter. Others, you have to earn.

We recently arranged a trip for a couple who had one specific goal: to stare down the Shoebill Stork in the wild. To do that, we sent them to the vast, watery wilderness of the Bangweulu Wetlands in Zambia.

Our guide knew the area, but the prehistoric-looking Shoebill was elusive. To find it, the group had to wade through waist-deep swamps and thick reeds for a solid hour and a half. It was humid, it was tough going, and it was absolutely thrilling. When they finally spotted it—standing motionless and grumpy-looking in the papyrus like a relic from the Jurassic era—the exhaustion vanished. That’s the adrenaline of a true walking safari.

The shoebill

As a massive bonus, while catching their breath, they were surrounded by a herd of Black Lechwe. These semi-aquatic antelope are endemic to the Bangweulu basin; you cannot see them anywhere else on earth. Watching them splashing through the shallow waters against the backdrop of the endless wetlands was the perfect end to a hard day's work.

At Land & Lake Safaris, we don’t just sell generic packages. If you are a birder willing to wade for hours for a "lifer," or a family who prefers dry land and a cold drink, we tailor the trip to your interests and your physical comfort level.

Got a specific species in mind? Challenge accepted. Contact us today to plan your custom wildlife adventure.