Kafue's Rivers & Plains

9 days London to London

Kafue National Park, Zambia's largest protected area, is easily accessible from Livingstone and Lusaka. It extends over 22 400 square kilometres and is roughly the size of Wales. This enormous and under-developed pristine wilderness area is home to an impressive variety of big game including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and hippo. In addition, the Kafue conserves some fascinating species of special interest including Lichtenstein's hartebeest, sable, roan, puku, the diminutive oribi, and, incredibly, lechwe in their thousands. Boasting almost 500 recorded bird species, Kafue is truly a diverse African National Park and one of its last "wild frontiers".

The spectacular Busanga Plains in the north of the Park is a vast flat expanse and forms one of Zambia's most significant wetland resources. This enormous watery wilderness, flooded in the wet season (mid-December to end May) by several rivers and tributaries, covers an enormous 750 square kilometres. After the rains the floods reach their height from March to May, and large pods of hippo are to be found in the shallow pools that are left as the water recedes in the dry season. Join us on safari in this spectacular wildlife haven. Experience a nostalgic, old-style luxury serviced camping / lodge safari that recreates the sense of a game-viewing adventure reminiscent of the times of the great African explorers in the vast Kafue National Park.

Day 1 Friday: Depart UK

Fly with British Airways from London Heathrow to Lusaka (1915-0615*) in economy class. ** denotes arrival the next day

Days 2 - 4: Lufupa Camp, northern Kafue

Upon arrival at Lusaka airport you are met by a representative of Sefofane Air Charters who will transfer you by light aircraft to Kafue National Park. Your private guide will meet you at the airstrip in Kafue and transfer the group to Lufupa Camp. This transfer is approximately 1 hour in duration, and en route we may encounter eland, roan and sable to name a few.

Accommodation is in 6 large meru tents with en-suite facilities. Dining and bar area are under huge Jackalberry trees, overlooking the Kafue River. Dinners served in a traditional-style boma under the stars, next to a lively campfire or in the tented dining room overlooking this impressive river. (B,L,D) (L,D only on day 2)

Days 5 - 7: Musanza Tented Camp, Busanga floodplain, north-western Kafue

Depart Lufupa for an early morning transfer, game viewing as you go to Musanza Tented Camp.

The Busanga Plains' most dominant antelope species include red lechwe and puku, while buffalo, bushbuck, kudu, oribi, reedbuck, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, sable and roan are also often viewed in this enormous open plains system. There are also hippo and crocodile; however the main plains predators are lion and cheetah and spotted hyaena with wild dogs less often seen. Leopard can also be spotted along the wooded tree lines fringing the plains, as well as elephant. Bird life is fantastic, with large flocks of pelicans, crowned cranes and wattled crane in the plains at certain times of the year. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Lunga River Lodge, Lunga River, northern Kafue

After an early breakfast, we transfer by road to Lunga River Lodge, enjoying our last shortened game drive on the Busanga Plains as we leave the area and re-enter the Miombo woodland.

The deep and clear Lunga River is the largest tributary of the Kafue River and flows north to south through a mosaic of miombo woodland, riverine woodland and grassy dambos in the north-east of the Kafue National Park. Species like puku and impala are abundant while roan and Lichtenstein's hartebeest occur in lower densities. Viewing of buffalo herds and elephant bulls is good while lion and leopard are regularly encountered. Additional interesting species in the form of yellow baboons and tree hyrax occur in the vicinity of the camp while a high-density hippo population occurs in the Lunga River. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, guided canoe and boating trips as well as fishing. Night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Homeward

Early morning light aircraft transfer from Lunga River Lodge to Lusaka Airport to connect with your flight with British Airways to London Heathrow (0850-1805) in economy class. (B)

Extension Idea

Why not extend your trip and see the wonderful Luangwa Valley - either contact us for details, or see the suggestions in our fact sheet (above right).