Shiwa Ng'andu (7199)
Zambia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Shiwa Ng'andu
Central coordinates: Latitude: -11.2000, Longitude: 31.7500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1460 to 1760
Area of KBA (km2): 111.20925
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An unusual but well-known private estate. At its heart is an enormous manor house around which has grown a thriving community with its own school, post office and clinic. It lies at submontane levels and the surrounding mountainous terrain is, in places, quite dramatic. Lake Ishiba Ngandu, a natural water-body, provides a somewhat rare plateau habitat, with fringing reedbeds and Cyperus papyrus swamp. Elsewhere, miombo is predominant, both in the flatter areas and on the hills, and there are also broad dambos, some mushitu and riparian forest. The soils are poor and, besides cattle production, other economic activity has included production of essential oils. Situated about 70 km north of Mpika, it is easily accessible and there are tourist facilities at Kapisha Hot Springs, some 10 km west of the main estate.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 3 for key species. With its wide range of habitats, the site supports a considerable diversity of birdlife. Gypohierax angolensis is regularly seen, especially around the lake, and Sarothrura lugens, Tyto capensis, Cisticola robustus and Ortygospiza gabonensis are all found in the dambos. Hirundo fuligula, Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris and Cisticola aberrans are regular in rocky areas and mushitu birds include Sheppardia bocagei and Lamprotornis splendidus. Podica senegalensis and Alcedo semitorquata are found along the rivers and Acrocephalus rufescens inhabits the papyrus swamp where Ardeola idae has been recorded once. Crex crex is occasionally noted, and Gallinago media winters in small numbers. Amongst the Zambezian biome endemics is Ploceus angolensis, at the very eastern edge of its range, and a single species of the Afrotropical Highlands biome, Trochocercus albonotatus, also occurs. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 12 | |
| Shrubland | 9 | |
| Forest | 78 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area is well protected, although there is pressure from tree-cutting.
Additional information
References: Harvey (1997).