This unique, peanut-shaped country, once known as Northern Rhodesia, offers visitors an authentic African experience complete with adrenalin pumping adventure sports, a variety of fascinating cultural activities, and an abundance of indigenous wildlife, which finds refuge in Zambia’s vast national parks. Spend your evenings enjoying the spectacular site of the world’s largest waterfall, the Victoria Falls, while sipping on sundowners after an exhilarating day of whitewater rafting down the rapids of the mighty Zambezi River. If that sounds a little too adventurous for your taste, take a houseboat cruise along the exquisite Lake Kariba while watching wild elephants drink at the riverbank as you try your hand at catching the elusive tiger fish. However you choose to spend your time in this unique country, you are bound to leave with a heavy heart and a desire to return again soon to this exceptionally beautiful Southern African country.
Kafue National Park, the oldest and largest in Zambia, covers an expansive 22,400 square kilometers. This description focuses on the Northern Kafue, excluding the remarkable Busanga Plains, which we have detailed separately. The park is enriched by the Lufupa, Lunga, and Kafue rivers, creating a vast network of waterways that support an abundant array of wildlife. Renowned for its diverse array of animal and birdlife, the park may boast the highest species variety of any African National Park. It is home to 20 different antelope species, including the Sable, Roan, Red Lechwe, Reedbuck, and Defassa Waterbuck. The park's predator population is significant, with lions widespread across the area. Leopard density studies by Musekese Conservation have revealed numbers exceeding expectations, and cheetah sightings are common, often in open woodlands and clearings.
Endangered wild dogs are also present throughout the park, with their population on the rise. The park's diverse wildlife also includes Elephants, Hippos, Buffalos, Zebras, Hyenas, and more. With relatively few visitors, Kafue National Park offers an authentic, undisturbed safari experience, perfect for those seeking an adventurous engagement with nature. Its landscapes are rich in wildlife and serenity, making it a remarkable destination.
Northern Kafue features diverse landscapes including savanna and miombo woodlands, characterized by small-leafed trees and a dense understory. This environment provides a sanctuary for browsers such as kudus and predators like leopards. Clearings, locally known as Dambo's, attract wildlife to the lush grazing available in these wet, open pans.
The woodland habitat is also dominated by miombo woodland, offering cover and food for a variety of animals. Along the Kafue River and its tributaries, the riverine habitat flourishes with flora and fauna, including species like baboons, vervet monkeys, various birds, African fish eagles, and kingfishers. These riverbanks are also prime locations for sighting Leopards and Lions, drawn to the water and the cool river breeze.
In conclusion, Kafue National Park presents a rich tapestry of habitats, each supporting unique ecosystems and hosting a wide array of wildlife. This diversity renders it an exceptional destination for those eager to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of Zambia.
