KAFUE NATIONAL PARK was the very first Zambia National Park and is also ranked as the largest National park in Zambia. It occupies an estimated 2240km² of the area and swamps near Kafue River.

Kafue National park Zambia extends to include the abundant Busanga plains in the north to the forested woods on the south. Numerous channels flow within the park and these include Lunga, Lufuba and Kafue that keep Zambia wildlife within this very diverse African safari game park.

Occasional sights are towering termite mounds over the plains, teak forests, several striking ‘candelabra’ tree, and lots of significant black big chunks of rock. Even though the park is within easy reach from both Lusaka and the Copperbelt, it remains typically under developed as compared with other game parks in Zambia.

Busanga Plains in the north are a wide flat expanse classified as one of the most important wetland regions in Zambia. The swamps occupy close to 750 sq km with several river draining in the forests and reed swamps.  In March to May, River Lufuba a tributary of Kafue floods attracting several hippos, buffalos and water birds. In the dry season, there are a few water pools left to draw some thirsty herds.

The Itezhi Tezhi Dam is found on the south Kafue river bank. It occupies some 370sq km with overviews of the open grasslands and trees. On the parks of the dam are birds like fish eagles, cormorants, spoonbills and heron. Itezhi Dam just is surely a good day fishing paradise and the place to find the annual fishing event.

Game Viewing

The lush grasslands are grazed the water loving red lechwe plus other antelope species and animals like blue wildebeest, impala, hartebeest, roan, tsessebe, reedbuck, oribi, sitatunga, puku and also the duiker.  The verdant plains are regularly sighted with buffalo, baboon, vervet apes, zebra, leopards, serval, warthog, jackal, civet, genet, bush pig and the cheetah.

Around 400 species of wild birds are really recorded in the park. Common ones range from the swamp endemic fishing owl, wattle cranes, kingfishers as well as crested loeries.

The Kafue and Lunga Rivers are good for sport fishing with catches like the tasty bream, barbel and fresh water pike. The river banks on Kafue River are adorned with hippopotamus as well as crocodiles.

Getting there

The Park has a poor road network and is best visited using charter plane or sometimes strong 4WD. You’ll find charter plane airstrips at Ngoma, Puku Pan, Chunga, Hippo, Moshi together with Lunga camps.

By road, Mongu-Lusaka route has access to the Busanga plains, camps and also Kafue River Bridge, the northern gate is easily accessed on this route. Coming from the Copperbelt , the road to Solwezi to Kasempa is used and then reach to Lunga Pontoon. To reach the specific northern Kafue gate, go ahead and take left turning 16km in front of the pontoon. From Livingstone town, the route goes through Kalomo to Lusaka then to Ndumdumwense where you’ll have access to the park by the southern gate and Itezhi dam.

When to go

The dry season of April to October is the best time for Game viewing although you are able to visit the park all through the year. The wet season begins in November and ends in April, good for Zambia birding but the roads in Kafue Park are quite impassable in this period.

Accommodation

There is ample Zambia safari lodging and accommodation near Kafue National park. Busanga Bush Camping is an option if you are visiting Busanga Plains and stay at the luxury styled Hippo lodge, Kapinga Bush camping, Leopard Lodge, Lufuba river and Tented Camping yet others. Book your favourite accommodation as well as transfers with a reliable safari provider.

Musungwa Lodge from the south, hosts an annual fishing competition in September upon Lake Itezhi Tezhi. Almost all lodges rent sport fishing tackle, rods, fishing boats for sale and bait.

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