ZambiaHow many tours are available for Lower Zambezi National Park?
There are currently 0 listed tours that include Lower Zambezi National Park in the itinerary.
Overview
The Zambezi River forms the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe, so the Lower Zambezi is the country’s southernmost national park. That possibly makes it the most remote, but the trip is worth it – TripAdvisor rates it as the #1 National Park in Zambia, and we fully agree.
Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 1,580 square miles (4,092 km²), ranging from the steep and rugged landscape of the Zambezi escarpment in the north to the lush riverine valley where most of the game is to be found.
Until 1983, when it was proclaimed a National Park, the area served as the private game reserve of Zambia's president. As a result, very few people experienced its beauty. Even today, the number of tourists visiting the park is limited, and it remains a pristine wilderness.
Surrounding the park, as well, is an extensive Game Management Area, so the game can venture freely over a much bigger area.
Talking of game, what can you expect to see in Lower Zambezi National Park? Firstly, massive herds of elephants are protected from poachers by rangers. The river is home to hippos, crocodiles, and every sports fisherman’s dream: the tigerfish.
The game, including buffalo in large numbers, lions, leopards and waterbuck, is concentrated in the river valley, making viewing a rewarding and awe-inspiring experience. While other parks may have a more diverse game population, over 400 bird species have been recorded in Lower Zambezi, and that, too, is a significant drawcard.
What puts Lower Zambezi National Park in a class of its own is the quality of the accommodation on offer. The choice is yours, from luxuriously appointed chalets on an island in the river to self-catering lodges and tented bush camps with every facility you could wish for.
Pros and Cons
Upsides
-
Different areas of the park each have their own character — the rugged escarpment, mopane forests, and the ebony- and fig tree-lined riverbanks each reflect a unique side of this diverse African wilderness.
-
Lower Zambezi National Park's remoteness means it's seldom over-crowded with tourists, and you are assured of a peaceful, almost personalized safari.
-
The river is the focal point for most of the park’s animals and birds, so viewing is a rich experience. Watching elephants totally submerged with only the tip of their trunk above water while crossing and buffalos “island-hopping” — these are unique viewing moments.
-
The standard of accommodation is exceptional. And it’s not only the accommodation — almost all the various lodges and camps offer a range of activities that will keep you busy — boat cruises, canoeing, tiger fishing, walking safaris, and night drives (even with predators in close attendance).
Downsides
-
Being remote has advantages, but it also requires considerable time and effort to get to Lower Zambezi National Park by road, and a 4WD is essential.
-
The cost of staying in Lower Zambezi National Park depends on which lodge you choose, but most are “high-end,” and for budget travelers, the price may be too high.
-
You won’t see giraffes, cheetahs, and rhinos, but the park does have four of the Big Five.
-
October is unpleasantly hot, particularly in the valley, where temperatures average about 97⁰F (36⁰C), and the area receives heavy rain in the wet season of November to March, particularly in January.
Wildlife
Not only is there abundant water and food in Lower Zambezi, but the park is also one the best protected in Africa in the fight against poaching and encroachment and is home to
More about the wildlifeBest Time To Visit
Birdwatching or game-watching? The best time of the year depends on your interests, so contact your tour operator for expert advice. Still, it's important to know that only one lodge stays open all year — the rest close from November to March because of the rain and because the game becomes much harder to find.
More about best time to visit
Botswana
Ethiopia
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Continue with Google
