One of Africa's most beautiful national parks with the mighty Zambezi River, large flood plains and the Zambezi Valley Escarpment all on centre stage. The natural beauty that surrounds is breathtaking, to say the least, and we have not even touched on the wildlife, birdlife and safari activity options as of yet.
- Size: 4092 square kilometres
- Location: South-Eastern Zambia
- Lodges & accommodation: Lower Zambezi Lodges
Where is Lower Zambezi National Park located?
A question we get all the time and a rather easy (yet complicated) question to answer. The Lower Zambezi is located in the south-eastern corner of Zambia to the east of Lake Kariba, on the northern banks of the Zambezi river (opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pool National Park). It is best all always to see the location of the national park from a map, so without further ado, a google map for your viewing pleasure; Google Maps - Lower Zambezi National Park
Information On Lower Zambezi National Park
A smallish national park in comparison to the other offerings in Zambia, with 4092 km² in total. But please do not make the mistake of thinking that size is everything. What the Lower Zambezi loses in size, it gains in both wildlife and birdlife sightings as well as safari activities on offer.
Wildlife is concentrated on the valley floor and the banks of the Zambezi, with above-average sightings for wildlife. In fact, we would say that one could not drive for more than 10-minutes and not see wildlife. It is that spectacular.
Many of the safari lodges and camps in the national park offer game drives, walking safaris, fishing options, canoeing excursions and boating options as part and parcel of their safari experience. There are not many national parks in Africa that offer as many safaris activities in one place as the Lower Zambezi does other than, say, the Okavango Delta.
The park is famed for its elephants, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyaena, porcupine, civet, genet and honeybadger, and that is excluding the amazing summer migrant birdlife.
The flood plains are dominated my 10-30m high Acacia Abida, Acacia Winterthorn and large Sausage Trees.
Best Time to Visit Lower Zambezi National Park
A few of the lodges and camps on the Zambezi River are open all year (not all, though), but as a general rule, the park is open for business between April and November.
Vast areas within the park become inaccessible when the rains start, and transfers to the lodges and camps that remain open are by boat or chartered light aircraft only.
Just a small note on the months of October and November, it can get HOT, very HOT over these months. Please bear this in mindwe are talking +40° Celcius.
Main Attractions Of Lower Zambezi National Park
- Close encounters wildlife from a canoe's or boat's
- Game walks
- Beautiful scenery
- Tiger fishing
- Night game drives
- Elephants swimming
- Sunsets
- Remoteness
- Birdlife
Devil's Pool Victoria Falls
The Devil's Pool is a natural pool at the edge of Victoria Falls. It is created by the Zambezi River and it's really cool.
You can swim right up to the edge and you will be close enough that you will feel like you are going to plunge over as well as dizzy from all of the water around you.
What To Do In Lusaka
Continuing our series of African cities, we look at the capital of Zambia, Lusaka. Over the last ten years and mainly due to economic expansion, Lusaka has exploded in terms of what it offers the modern traveller.Tongabezi Lodge Victoria Falls Expereince
If you live in Africa, a weekend getaway in the bush on one of Africa's greatest rivers is something that is part of your culture, essentially something you can relate to. If you live elsewhere in the developed world, it is one of the most exotic things you can imagine. Welcome to the magical world of Tongabezi.Best Safari Destinations In Zambia
People tend to forget about Zambia when organising their safari. They think in terms of their more famous regional neighbours: Botswana, South Africa and Kenya with their iconic destinations of the Okavango Delta, the Kruger and the Masai Mara. Even the Victoria Falls is seen purely as a Zimbabwean venue.Celebrating David Livingstone In Zambia
David Livingstone was born in Blantyre, Scotland 200 years ago. He remains the most celebrated of all Victorian explorers, equally known for his humanity and humanitarian work as for his feats of exceptional exploration.Best Victoria Falls Relaxed Activities
The Victoria Falls area has gained a reputation over the past two decades as one of the adventure centres of the world. From bungee jumping to white water rafting, there will be some activity for the adrenalin junkie. However, this is not what the Vic Falls was traditionally about.Best Victoria Falls Adventure Activities
The Victoria Falls is not only celebrated as one of the worlds most beautiful sights but it also is known as the adventure capital of Africa. With Victoria Falls being on most safari itineraries it is good to know what to do and see when in town, whether you are staying on the Zambian or on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls.Canoeing On The Upper Zambezi
Your correspondent has been travelling and going on safari in Africa since the early 1980s. I have lost count of the many, majestic sunsets, of the unique wildlife moments accidentally captured by a camera and of the multitude of happy days with friends in remote places.