BAROTSE FLOODPLAIN
Found on the mighty Zambezi River in the Western Province of Zambia, Barotse Floodplain is one of Africa’s great wetlands. The main body of the floodplain covers an impressive 5500 km2. The Barotse Floodplain is the second largest wetland in Zambia after the Lake Bangweulu system.
Famed for its fishing, Bartose Floodplain offers enthusiasts unparalleled Tiger and Bream fishing, consistently producing trophy catches. During the rainy season, the floodplains swell and flood, providing breeding grounds for large volumes of baitfish. These are gradually washed into the main channels attracting the impressive volumes of large tiger fish and bream in this area. The ideal time to visit the Barotse Floodplain for fishing is during the winter months, from May to August. This is an excellent time of year to catch the enormous tigers and great bream as the floodplains empty into the main channels.
With water comes life and this is evident in the Barotse Floodplains by the significant populations and variety of water birds that are present including the Black Heron, Squacco Heron, Madagascar Pond-Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, African Skimmer, and Pied Kingfisher. There is also a vast colony of over 10,000 pairs of African Openbill, located near the confluence of the Luanginga and Zambezi Rivers. The Barotse Floodplain can be reached by road from Livingstone during dry season. The roads are impassable during rainy season.
