
Lower Zambezi National Park
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
- Sausage Tree CampSausage Tree Camp is set in a stunning location on the banks of the Zambezi in the heart of the Lower Zambezi's best game viewing area. The camp overlooks an expanse of narrow channels and low set reed islands teeming with game, with the magnificent Zambezi escarpment as the backdrop.
- Sussi & Chuma LodgeSussi & Chuma, both lodges take full advantage of their enchanting riverbank setting, resident wildlife, such as hippopotamus and elephant, are likely to wander through the grounds, since in the National Park they have priority.
- Anabezi Luxury Tented CampAnabezi Luxury Tented Camp overlooking the Zambezi River and Mushika River flood plain offers guests a premium safari experience that includes, game drives, night drives, canoeing, and boating activities within a remote corner of this spectacular park.
- Royal Zambezi LodgeA Lower Zambezi lodge refurbished as a 5 star luxury lodge, overlooking the vast Zambezi river with it's wildlife and scenic vistas. Royal Zambezi River Lodge is a striking combination of contemporary style and comfort in a completely unspoiled bush environment.
- Toka Leya CampToka Leya Camp consisting of 12 spacious en-suite safari-style tents, is hidden on the banks of the Zambezi River in the western sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, about 12km upstream from the Falls, offering spectacular views.
- Potato Bush CampPotato Bush Camp located on the banks of the Zambezi River in a very remote corner of the Lower Zambezi National Park offers guests a small and exclusive safari experience like few others. Only four tented suites all offer stunning panoramic views overlooking the Zambezi River and Zambezi escarpment.