Both these reserves are broadly similar in character, although Duba Plains (as you might expect) has more extensive open plains, whereas the plains at Vumbura are often partially flooded, and they’re broken up by more islands, including many small palm islands.

Birdlife
The birdlife here is as varied as you’ll find in any area of the Delta with a good mix of dry and wet environments. Certainly in one afternoon of very casual bird spotting on the river from Vumbura you can expect to find a range of kingfishers (malachite, pied, and giant), jacanas, several species of egrets (including slaty), black-winged stilts, open-bill storks and reed cormorants. In addition, the open floodplains with short grass seemed to attract very good numbers of various waders plus saddle-billed storks, glossy and sacred ibises, spoonbills and – relatively unusually – pelicans.
Similarly, the birds enjoying the waterlogged plains of Duba Plains last October included wattled cranes and, an unusual treat in the Delta, flamingos.

<< Click on the left menu for more details of the flora and mammals found in these areas.