 Dambos have been estimated to comprise 12.5% of the area of Zambia.Similar African words include "mbuga" (commonly used in East Africa), "matoro" (Mashonaland), "vlei" (South Africa), "fadama" (Nigeria), and "bolis" (Sierra Leone); the French "bas-fond" and German "Spültal" have also been suggested as referring to similar grassy wetlands.Dambos are characterised by grasses, rushes and sedges, contrasting with surrounding woodland such as Miombo woodland.