Kafue National Park, Zambia

Safaris to the game-rich Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park

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Kafue National Park, to the west of Lusaka, is the third largest national park in Africa at 22,500km and the largest in Zambia. Yet, despite its beauty and diversity, the comparative inaccessibility of Kafue means that it remains gloriously untamed! Yet in the modern world, underdevelopment can make an environment as vulnerable as overexploitation, thanks to poaching and land pressure. So very recently, massive efforts are being made to transform the fortunes of this unique park and its local communities.

Safaris to Kafue enjoy a unique range of habitats, from the memorable Busanga floodplains in the far northwest to the verdant vegetation of the south, and supports a rewarding variety of wildlife including cheetah which are rarely seen in the more developed South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi parks.

The Busanga Plains, in the north of the Kafue, is one of the most significant wetland areas in Zambia, untouched by human activity. This is Kafue's best area for game. During the wet season the Lufupa river floods this area creating a wetlands paradise. As the dry season begins the waters recede leaving lush vegetation. These plains are then home to thousands of red lechwe, the ubiquitous puku, stately roan and sable as well as the diminutive oribi and duiker. The Defassa waterbuck, herds of tsessebe, hartebeest, zebra and buffalo make for a full set of antelope. This wealth of game on the Busanga plains is also a big attraction for predators, including leopards, wild dogs, cheetah and prides of lion up to 20 strong. All Kafue safaris should include some time in the Busanga Plains.

In the central areas of the Kafue lies the Lufupa river. This area is characterised by miombo and riverine woodlands, dotted with ‘dambos’ (open grassy areas that sometimes fill with rainwater). Though the game is not as rich as on the Busanga plains, there are plenty of antelope including the rarer roan, sable, oribi and defassa waterbuck. As well as lion, cheetah and leopard, this area also has good number of wild dog. On the north-east of Kafue lies the Lunga river which offers excellent birding along its permanent channels. (The Kafue National Park boasts over 450 species including endemics such as Chaplin's Barbet.)

New luxury safari camps have opened up in the Kafue National Park, such as Shumba camp and Kapinga camp on the edge of the Busanga Plains, as well as refurbished old favourites, such as Lunga River Lodge and Busanga Plains Bush Camp. However we would say that Kafue is ideal for the second time safari visitor to Zambia or for the experienced wildlife enthusiast looking for back-to-nature bush camp safari.

When and How to visit Kafue National Park?
Kafue is waterlogged until at least June and we would recommend timing your safari for July onwards. You fly into Kafue on a light charter flight direct from Lusaka.