Lower Zambezi National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park: Where The Escarpment Meets The Zambezi Floodplain
Lower Zambezi National Park lies on the north bank of the Zambezi River in south-eastern Zambia, directly opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park. The ground slopes gently from the Zambezi Escarpment down to the river and ends in a floodplain, where most of the park's large mammals gather.
The river is the centre of a visit. Many of the camps in the park offer game drives, guided walks, night drives, canoeing, boat outings and tigerfish angling. A canoe safari with a guide puts you on the water beside elephants drinking at the banks and hippos resting in the shallows.
Lion, leopard, buffalo and crocodile share the park with the elephants and hippos, and the birdlife along the river and floodplain keeps birdwatchers busy.
Lower Zambezi National Park Facts
- Size: 4,092 square kilometres
- Established: 1983
- Location: South-eastern Zambia, on the north bank of the Zambezi River
- Lodges & accommodation: Lower Zambezi Lodges
Where is Lower Zambezi National Park located?
The park lies in the south-eastern corner of Zambia, on the northern bank of the Zambezi River, east of Lake Kariba and opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park. For the exact position, see it on a map: Google Maps - Lower Zambezi National Park.
Information On Lower Zambezi National Park
Until 1983 the area was the private game reserve of Zambia's president, and it was declared a national park that year. At 4,092 km² it is far smaller than Zambia's largest park, Kafue, but the wildlife is concentrated on the floodplain and the banks of the Zambezi, so game viewing centres on the river.
The floodplain is lined with ana trees (Faidherbia albida) and sausage trees. Higher ground in the north carries miombo woodland, and the lower slopes in the south carry mopane woodland. Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyaena, porcupine, civet, genet and honey badger are all found here.
Best Time to Visit Lower Zambezi National Park
Our Zambia when-to-travel guide covers the seasons, access and temperatures for Lower Zambezi National Park.
Malaria In Lower Zambezi National Park
The UK's NaTHNaC rates all of Zambia, including Lower Zambezi, as high risk for malaria: see our Zambia malaria guide and our Africa malaria guide.
Main Attractions Of Lower Zambezi National Park
- Close encounters with wildlife from a canoe or boat
- Guided game walks
- Game drives and night game drives
- Tigerfish angling
- Escarpment and floodplain scenery
- Sunsets over the Zambezi
- A remote setting
- Birdlife
Lower Zambezi National Park: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lower Zambezi National Park?
Lower Zambezi National Park is in south-eastern Zambia, on the north bank of the Zambezi River. Directly across the river lies Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park. Lake Kariba is upstream to the west, and the Zambezi Escarpment rises behind the park to the north.
How big is Lower Zambezi National Park?
Lower Zambezi National Park covers 4,092 km². By comparison, Kafue National Park, Zambia's largest, covers 22,400 km², so Lower Zambezi is less than a fifth of its size. Most of its large mammals gather on the floodplain beside the Zambezi, so game viewing centres on the river.
When did Lower Zambezi become a national park?
Lower Zambezi was declared a national park in 1983. Until then the area was the private game reserve of Zambia's president, which protected it from mass tourism. The park and the game management area around it still have no paved roads.
What is the landscape like in Lower Zambezi National Park?
The ground slopes gently from the Zambezi Escarpment down to the river, ending in a floodplain beside the water. Miombo woodland covers the higher ground in the north, with mopane woodland on the lower slopes in the south. Ana trees (Faidherbia albida) and sausage trees grow on the floodplain.
Which animals live in Lower Zambezi National Park?
The park is home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and crocodile, along with many antelope species. Elephants and hippos gather along the river banks. Wild dog are seen only occasionally. The park also has a large number of bird species.
How does Lower Zambezi compare with Mana Pools?
Lower Zambezi is almost twice the size of Mana Pools, at 4,092 km² against 2,196 km². The two parks face each other across the Zambezi. Mana Pools lies within a 6,766 km² World Heritage Site that also takes in the Sapi and Chewore safari areas.
How do you get to Lower Zambezi National Park?
Flying in from Lusaka is the better way to reach Lower Zambezi National Park. Across Zambia, air transfers are the better choice because roads are decaying, seasonally flooded or eroded. Jeki Airstrip lies inside the park, and Uyaphi arranges the transfer to your camp as part of your itinerary.
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