Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park
Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?
  • Which Month Is Best For Visiting Kafue National Park?

The largest national park in Zambia, second largest in Africa and one of the largest in the world, the Kafue National Park covers an area of 22 400 km². As a general idea of what 22 400 km² looks like in real life, think of Wales (UK) or Massachusetts (USA).

  • Size: 22 400 square kilometres
  • Location: South-Western Zambia
  • Rainfall: 1200mm
  • Altitude: +- 1350m above sea level
  • Lodges & accommodation: Kafue National Park

Where is Kafue National Park located?

Kafue is located in the centre of south-western Zambia, yes we know that sounds confusing, but there is no better way to describe the location. The best option for eyeballing the exact location of the national park is via google maps; click here for a link that will open in a new page - Google Maps - Kafue National Park

Information On Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is Zambia's oldest park, and by far the largest, being proclaimed a national park in 1950 by the legendary Norman Carr.

Despite the park being within a days drive of Lusaka, Livingstone and the Zambian Copperbelt, the park has remained completely underdeveloped. Certain areas within the national park are as wild as the day it was proclaimed.

The most popular destination within the Kafue is the Basunga Plains, a raw and wild slice of the African bushveld that offers excellent wildlife viewing, birding excursions and a spot of fishing should one wish.

Further south within the park and the wildlife is just as good, highlighted wildlife within the park includes; Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Wild Dog, Side-Striped Jackal, Civet, Genet, Elephant, Hippo, Defassa Waterbuck, Tsessebe, Hartebeest, Zebra, Buffalo, Red Lechwe, Puku, Sable and Roan Antelopes, Oribi and Duiker to mention only but a few. And the list goes on with over 55 species of mammal.

From the astounding Busanga Plains in the North-western section of the Kafue to the tree-choked wilderness and the lush dambos of the south, fed by the emerald green Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue Rivers, the park sustains huge herds of a great diversity of wildlife. From the thousands of red lechwe on the Plains, the ubiquitous puku, the stately sable and roan antelopes in the woodland to the diminutive oribi and duiker.

One of our personal highlights of the Kafue national park is the birdlife on show, +500 species including; Pel’s Fishing Owl, Black-cheeked Lovebird, Chaplin’s Barbet, Wattled and Crowned Crane, African Fin-foot, Bohm’s Bee-eaters, Racket-tailed Rollers, Helmetshrikes, Sooty and Arnot’s Chat's, African Hawk-eagles, Black-chested Snake-eagles, Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers, Lesser Kestrels and European Hobby. Now just that listing alone will have most birders itching to get and experience that +500 species count.

For those interested in fishing, the Kafue and Lunga Rivers offer excellent opportunities, especially for bream, barbel and freshwater pike.

Best Time to Visit Kafue National Park

As a general rule, the Kafue National Park is accessible year-round. However, it is best in the dry winter months (June to October) for the more remote locations, such as the Basunga Plains.

In the wet summer months (November to April), areas like the Basunga Plains are completely inaccessible, while a few areas further south remain open.

All in all, when looking at a safari with the Kafue, winter is the best period for wildlife and accessing those remote regions, while the summer months are best for birding.

Main Attractions Of Kafue National Park

  • Antelopes galore
  • +500 species of birds
  • +55 species of mammal
  • Very remote African bushveld
  • Hippos and crocodiles
  • Walking, birding, wildlife safaris
  • Photography
  • Kafue and Lunga River activities
  • Basunga Plains
Kafue Lodges Map
Zambia Travel Topics

  • 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.

  • Livingstone, Lower Zambezi and Luangwa Safari

    Part 1, Zambia was the destination for Senior Consultant Nicky on an educational trip to experience Livingstone and Victoria Falls, the Lower Zambezi and Luangwa National Parks. Read on to hear about her experiences.