Lochinvar National Park

The Park is situated to the southern edge of the Kafue Homes, a large floodplain in the Kafue River between Itezhi tezhi dam from the west and Kafue Gorge from the east. The vicinity extends regarding 33kms from your Kafue River in the north to extremely wooded hills in the south as well as includes the shallow Chunga lagoon the hub on the park. A water degree made by this lagoon varies relative to the river levels.
The park is one of the smallest national parks (428sq km) on  Zambia safaris, rarely used by visitors regardless of its exceptional magnificence, large wilderness and recorded bird species.
The vegetation is substantially made up of savannah wetlands, woodlands dominated by termitaria, acacia thickets and shrubs. There are trees and shrubs covering large termite mounds whilst grasses and herbs cover the remaining part of the area, which is flooded in the rainy season. Lake and its particular swamp take up 25% on the park total surface area and remains an important home to birds.

Game viewing and Wildlife

Lochinvar is mostly a notable birdlife paradise having close to 500 recorded varieties of birds; woodland type, raptors as well as migratory varieties. The wetland hosts numerous wild birds for instance crowned and cranes as well as large marabou stork scavenging for stranded fish. Around Chunga Lagoon you will locate the flamingos, pelicans, African skimmer, Caspian tern, Baillon’s crake and the red knobbed coot. Other birds living in this place are the ducks, secretary birds, falcons, sand pipers, sparrow hawk, osprey, African cuckoo hawk, korhaans, sandgrouse and others.
The particular Kafue flats are specifically recognized for the lechwe antelope and you’ll absolutely come across hundreds swimming in the Chunga lagoon. The herds eat grasses and even herbs from the banks of the lagoon. During the floods, huge herds may be noticed around the upper floodline and in the extensive grassland in the south. As the inundations reduce the herds move north for the grass and pasture floodplain. Several other common animal sights include zebras, kudu, buffalo, wildebeest, oribi, bushbucks, wildpigs, in addition to vervet monkeys in the woodlands. Hippos and also crocodiles are occasionally found on the banks of the swampy areas.

Sightseeing tours

The Gwisho Hot Springs flow on a geological fault that has verdant vegetation along with surrounded by ivory palms. The water springs up by depths of over 1 km plus temperatures around 60° to 90° c. This water is rich in sodium, chlorine, calcium and sulphate minerals.
Subanzi Hill is probably the earliest archaeological sites around Central Africa. It actually was a place of an Iron Age village, inhabited during the last century. Look out for the Baobab Tree with a big hollow tree trunk, historically deemed to have powers to shield people from animals.Your day’s adventures would include a cultural visit in the close by fishing town.
Conservation
Kafue Flats and even floodplains are now designated as a wetland of great importance in the Ramsar Convention. Some sort of sponsored management project seeks to save the resources through monitored harvesting of resources and also redistribution of tourist income together with the local people.

Travel Guide

The park is actually toured anytime of the year although precaution is important while in the heavy rains because 4WD vehicle will be suitable. Peak rains are during May at the close of the rainy period. The dry season starts around October to November coming with little flood water attracting many animals together with migratory birds in search of water. The game will be simpler to locate from the dry season.
Getting there
Lochinvar will be a three hour drive from Lusaka and is particularly accessible using charter plane. The access route is using the township of Monze over the Livingstone-Lusaka road. At the north of Monze, go west for the gravel track signposted at Namwala, then after about 25kms switch to the right on a signpost to Lochinvar, about 48kms. This park gates are open from 6h00 up to 6pm and then park charges will be payable here.

Hotels and Accommodation
Lechwe Plains Tented Lodge can be described as deluxe camping ground near the Chunga lagoon having clear viewpoints of wildlife around the exclusive decked verandas, en-suite bathrooms and also 6 large tents having limit for 12 guests. The World Wildlife Fund manages a camping site close to the southern checkpoint having small chalets.