ZambiaHow many tours are available for Kafue National Park?
There are currently 0 listed tours that include Kafue National Park in the itinerary.
Overview
Kafue Game Reserve was established back in the 1920s when it was proclaimed a protected area under British colonial rule. In 1950, the renowned conservationist Norman Carr (famous for returning two lion cubs, Big Boy and Little Boy, to the wild) was the driving force behind the proclamation of Kruger as a game reserve. Full national park status was granted on February 25, 1972.
Kafue is the second largest reserve in Africa and one of the largest in the world. At 8,650 square miles (22,400 km²), it’s twice the size of Yellowstone National Park in the USA! Kafue National Park also forms part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), the largest transboundary conservation area in the world.
The Busanga Plains in the northern sector is a must on any itinerary. It is the best area for viewing predators, including lions, cheetahs, and leopards. In the south, the Nanzhila Plains are the home of many antelope species and provide superb viewing opportunities.
Kafue National Park has long fought against the hostile forces of poaching, lack of financial support, government mismanagement, and the recent devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism.
The good news is that with the formation of KAZA (which, at 106 million acres, is more or less the size of France), resources and expertise are effectively reversing the downward spiral. In the last two years, Kafue National Park has seen a very close to 200% increase in tourism income.
Pros and Cons
Upsides
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Access to the park is easy from Livingstone or Lusaka, either by road or air.
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The diversity of all forms of wildlife makes for an unforgettable safari experience.
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The climate is relatively mild throughout the year.
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In the last few years, the infrastructure and accommodation quality have improved drastically.
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Kafue National Park is still relatively undiscovered, so you’re unlikely to be hassled by hordes of other tourists.
Downsides
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The park's size means the game population can move huge distances. This may make sightings difficult.
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Much of the park lies in a flood plain, so it’s inaccessible during the “rainy season” of November through March.
Wildlife
If you want a whistle-stop safari to view the “Big Five” Kafue National Park is not for you. What it does offer is a diversity of wildlife that you won’t find anywhere else in Africa — 158 mammals, which includes 21 antelope, as well as 71 fish and 36 species of amphibians. The park also has more than 500 recorded bird species — as many as the whole of Europe!
More about the wildlifeBest Time To Visit
Best Time to Visit The dry season, from March to October, is the most popular time for visitors, as all areas are accessible, viewing is easiest, and the weather is still relatively cool because of the park's altitude (an average of 3,600 feet above sea level.)
More about best time to visit
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