Kafue National Park takes its name from the 1,900 kilometre long, emerald-green Kafue River, which is fringed by riverine vegetation. During the dry season from May to November, the river is the park’s lifeblood, attracting all manner of wildlife and providing a plentiful supply of water for many different species.
Enormous crocodiles lurk in the river, and the birdlife is prolific, with specials including the Pel’s fishing owl and African finfoot. Defassa waterbuck, sable, hartebeest, blue wildebeest, Cape buffalo and Burchell’s zebra graze the grassy dambos. The prominent ilala palm is abundant in the area, and attracts elephants who rattle the fruits to the ground before throwing them into their mouths.
The northern section of the park is dominated by the vast, rolling Busanga Plain fed by the Lufupa River system, which recedes in the dry season, stranding large herds of hippos in shallow pools. This is one of the Kafue’s richest wildlife areas, attracting a diverse range of antelope that includes many thousands of red lechwe and – deep in the swamps – the reclusive sitatunga. This profusion of game attracts numerous lion, leopard and cheetah, while for birders the park is a not to be missed destination offering the colourful spectacle of more than 500 recorded species.
As well as being one of the largest parks, Kafue is also one of Zambia’s oldest parks. Although it wasn’t awarded national park status until 1950, Kafue was established as a protected area under British colonial rule as early as 1924.
This upmarket flying safari combines three of southern Africa’s most fruitful wildlife areas: Hwange and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, and the vastness of the Kafue in western Zambia. Staying in delightful tented camps in the best locations, enjoy day and night game drives and boat trips to see the abundant wildlife.
Find out more about Best of Zimbabwe & Zambia
Kafue National Park is one of the last tracts of true wilderness in Africa and it offers some of the most rewarding wildlife viewing on the continent. On this tailor-made safari you can hopefully enjoy countless opportunities to view wildlife and experience the varying habitats of Kafue.
Find out more about Classic Kafue Safari
This trip focusses on the essence of Zimbabwe and Zambia – neighbouring countries that boast some of Africa’s finest wildlife areas. From the stunning Mana Pools and its aquatic wildlife, fly to the remote Busanga Plains in Zamiba’s Kafue National Park for vehicle safaris to see plains game and their predators.
Find out more about Distinctive Zimbabwe & Kafue
Discover two of Zambia’s finest national parks; Kafue and Lower Zambezi on a dedicated photographic safari, led by photographer and team member Bret Charman. Enjoy the chance to photograph the country’s iconic wildlife including leopard, lion, African wild dog and elephant.
Find out more about Kafue & Lower Zambezi Photo Safari
This safari travels to Busanga Plain in the northern sector of Zambia’s Kafue National Park, home to huge herds of lechwe and puku and an exceptionally high density of lion, before taking in the mesmerising Victoria Falls. The final stop is wildlife-rich Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest national park.
Find out more about Scenic Splendour & Wildlife Wonders
This journey takes in some of Africa’s finest wilderness: Kafue is one of Zambia’s best kept secrets and it is home to an incredibly diverse range of wildlife, and Hwange National Park in neighbouring Zimbabwe teems with impressive fauna and flora. The mesmerising Victoria Falls provide a suitable end to this stunning trip.
Find out more about Scenic Wonders of Kafue & Hwange
The west of Zambia is seldom visited by even the most seasoned safari travellers. This is Zambia at its most untamed, undisturbed and unspoilt. This is as wild as Zambia can be! On this exceptional tailor made holiday you can find the very best wildlife that the Wild West has to offer.
Find out more about Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain
Destination: Zambia
Price
(inc. flights): 11 days
from £6,895
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
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Suggested accommodation options are shown below.
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Taking its name from the local Kaonde name for the monkey-bread tree, Musekese is a small camp situated on the Kafue River, with superb views over the floodplain. Four chalets are surrounded by the sounds of the bush, with leopard coughing at night, hippo snorting and the eerie call of the scops owl.
Find Out More about Musekese Camp
Located right in the centre of Kafue National Park’s Busanga Plains, this bush camp accommodates eight people in four en suite chalets. Activities include game drives, walking safaris and night drives, led by qualified experienced guides who are extremely knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife.
Find Out More about Ntemwa-Busanga Bush Camp
Located on a huge private concession in the centre of the Busanga Plains, Shumba is a luxurious camp named after the area’s large prides of lion. It comprises six spacious safari tents raised on platforms with spectacular views of the varied landscape of estuaries, grassy plains and island thickets.
Find Out More about Shumba Camp
