Siavonga – Lake Kariba

Siavonga, situated on the shores of Lake Kariba, is the world’s largest human-caused lake formed by damming a section of the Zambezi River, bordering both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Siavonga, situated on the shores of Lake Kariba, is the world’s largest human-caused lake formed by damming a section of the Zambezi River, bordering both Zambia and Zimbabwe. It’s a wonderful birding location, which will gain you a huge count in a short period but what most birders come here for is the ‘holy grail’ of African birds—the magnificent African Pitta.

Departing while still dark is essential, as you head into dense thickets where this exquisite bird often eludes sight. Our ears will strain to catch the African Pitta’s distinctive frog-like display call. With patience and perseverance, we stand a high chance of tracking down this fabulous bird and seeing its leaping display from its perch—an enchanting sight. While this part of Zambia offers good accessibility for spotting the African Pitta, persistence might still be needed.

Lake Kariba, other sought-after birds, include the vibrant, Purple-crested Turaco, the peculiar Böhm’s Spinetail, the Bearded Scrub Robin, and the delightful Livingstone’s Flycatcher.

Birding difficulty
Easy – on-foot birding with boat rides available