Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is bigger than many countries, yet it sees a fraction of the visitors of Africa’s famous parks. Its scale is the point: floodplains, rivers, woodland and a great lake, with room for the wildlife — and for you — to spread out.

Why Kafue

• Space. At around 22,400 km², Kafue is the second-largest national park in Africa, and you can drive for hours without seeing another vehicle.
• Variety. From the open Busanga Plains in the north to the Kafue River and Lake Itezhi-Tezhi in the centre and the Nanzhila Plains in the south, each region feels like a different park.
• Antelope diversity. Kafue is home to more antelope species than almost any park in Africa, from red lechwe and puku to sable, roan and the shy sitatunga.
• Accessibility. Central Kafue is a few hours’ drive west of Lusaka — remote in feel, easy to reach.

The Busanga Plains

In the far north of the park, the Busanga Plains are one of Africa’s great wildlife spectacles. For much of the year they lie under floodwater; as it recedes, from about July, the plains open into a vast sea of grass dotted with papyrus islands and wild date palms. Herds of red lechwe and puku graze the plains, followed by lion, cheetah and other predators. The plains are only accessible for a few months — roughly early July to early November — and the handful of camps here are seasonal and mostly reached by light aircraft.

The Kafue River and Lake Itezhi-Tezhi

In the centre of the park, the Kafue River runs past lodges and camps that offer game drives, walks and boat trips. Further south, Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, formed by a dam on the river, is wide and scenic, with excellent birdlife, boat cruises and fishing. Leopard, lion, wild dog, elephant and hippo are all found here.

The south: Nanzhila

The southern Kafue, including the Nanzhila Plains, is the least visited part of the park — open grassland and woodland with good birding and a strong sense of discovery. It suits travelers who prefer exploration over guaranteed sightings.

When to go

June to October is the main season across the park, with the best game viewing as it gets drier. Busanga is accessible from about early July to early November. Many camps close in the rains, from around November to April. See the best time to visit Zambia.

Getting there

Central Kafue is a few hours’ drive west of Lusaka on the main road towards Mongu, and road transfers are common. The Busanga Plains and other remote areas are best reached by light aircraft. Kafue combines well with Livingstone to the south and with Liuwa Plain further west.

Frequently asked questions