Chembe is an area of Miombo woodland and grassland of about 450 hectares situated around a small lake famous for its bird life. The area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 and in 1982 was given the same protection as that accorded to a national park. It is currently run and managed by the Copperbelt branch of the Wildlife and Environmental Conservation Society of Zambia. Directions are provided at the bottom of the page.
Prolific
bird activity can be seen in the early morning and late afternoon and of the 740
listed birds of Zambia, 301 species have been reliably reported at Chembe. One
regular visitor is the African Fish Eagle, hence the sanctuaries name of Chembe
which means fish eagle in the local language of Lamba.
History
In the 1950s it was intended to use the dambo at Chembe as a reservoir to supplement the water supply at Chibuluma mine. An inflow channel was to be dug from the Chati stream to fill the dambo during the rainy season. A balancing outflow channel was then to be dug to a point further downstream to maintain the water flow in the Chati stream during the dry season. The inflow channel, the Chati Furrow, was dug although an outflow channel was never constructed. This led to characteristically high water levels during the rainy season. However, since the late 1970s the furrow ceased to flow allowing the water level to fall to a more natural level. The water level does still rise during the rains though, gradually falling to its lowest level in October - November, exposing extensive mudflats which attract wading birds.
Facilities
At the camp, 'Dunstan Lodge', facilities include flushing toilets, a braai/campsite area and, for a small fee, boats can be hired. If you require charcoal for the braai's then this too can be purchased from the Warden. Fishing on the lake is allowed but fish under 23cm long must be returned to the lake and please don't use nets. Use of boats is at your own risk as there are crocodiles in the lake, and parents of small children should be especially watchful both in the boats and at the water's edge. The lake can also be circumnavigated on a 7km track called 'Chinkamba Drive'. By foot this takes some two hours to walk and is also passable by saloon car except in the rains when flooding and tall grass makes passage more difficult. A word of warning for those venturing near the water's edge or taking to boats, there are some large crocodiles in the lake, but on a more cheerful note look out for the Spotted Neck Otters.
Birding Areas
A bird checklist for Chembe can be obtained from the Warden.
 | Dunstan Lodge The lodge is a wooden building offering shelter against the unexpected rainstorm, but nothing more. The location is good for woodland birds, views of the waterside and as a general camping/picnicking area. |
| Causeway This crosses the northwest corner of the dambo and is a good area for marsh and grassland birds. It is usually impassable to saloon cars during the rains. |
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Chati Furrow This man made inflow channel from the Chati stream has some nice stream side habitat with woodland and grassland nearby. However, due to the influx of subsistence farmers in this area, birds are not as numerous. |
| Acacias On the far side of the dambo, opposite the lodge and about one kilometre along from the Chati furrow the area is good for woodland species, with an area of marshy grassland and access to water. |
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Miombo Woodland The greater part of Zambia was covered by Miombo woodland although a lot has now been cleared for farming or by the charcoal burners. It is a two-storeyed woodland dominated by species of three related genera in the family Leguminosae namely Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Isoberlinia. At Chembe, such woodland stretches from the area around the lodge to the southern side of the dambo. The area is good for woodland birds. |
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Dambo A dambo is a shallow grass depression, or a small flat-bottomed valley, that is waterlogged or flooded during the rainy season. They often appear in the midst of Miombo woodlands where drainage is poor and the soil too wet for tree growth. Chembe Dambo is unusual in being flooded all year. |
|
Grassy Dambo Grassland on the southern side of the lake with good views of open country and close to a woodland strip. |
Directions
| Total (km) | Directions from Kitwe | Towards | Road Type | For (km) |
| 0 | Depart Kitwe Central St. traffic lights | Nkana Mine | Tar | 1.5 |
| 1.5 | Turn RIGHT at the end of Central Street | Mindola Shaft | Tar | 2.5 |
| 4 | Turn LEFT at road junction | Kalulushi | Tar | 6 |
| 10 | Turn LEFT at junction signposted Southdowns Airport | Kasempa | Tar | 3.6 |
| 13.6 | STRAIGHT on at Southdowns Airport junction | Kasempa | Tar | 14.1 |
| 27.7 | Turn RIGHT at junction signposted Chembe Bird Sanctuary | Chembe | Track | 0.9 |
| 28.6 | Arrive at Chembe Bird Sanctuary |
Regulations
There are restrictions within the bird sanctuaries that are prescribed by law. For the benefit of all please observe them. They are :
NO hunting or firearms; NO litter (put refuse in the litter bins or take it home with you); NO noisy games such as volleyball or football; NO pets; NO fires (except on braai sites); and NO radios, tape recorders or musical instruments.
