Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park Overview

Kafue has great game and bird viewing opportunities. The elephant population is small but large buffalo herds mean that lion numbers remain high. Rare antelope include red lechwe, roan, sable and sitatunga. Wild dog numbers are on the rise. Cheetahs inhabit the central Kafue, northern Busango and southern Nanzhilla pans.

Traditional daytime game drives and night drives are available from the lodges. A night drive allows for sightings of the elusive nocturnal animals such as leopards, genets and civits.

The Kafue, Lufupa and Lunga rivers, along with the Itezhi Tezhi dam are great spots for day-time and sunset boat cruises. Fisherman can try and catch bream, barbell and pike.

Highlights & Places in Kafue National Park

This vast park has a number of different interesting geological features. The Busango wetlands in the north, is the jewel of the park. Inaccessible for half the year it is home to vast flocks of birds, herds of buffalo and the predators that prey on them.

The rocky 370km square Itezhi tezhi dam in the south of the park is home to hippos and bird species. The Kafue River runs throughout the park and is fed by many tributaries. Clearings locally known as ‘dambos’, formed by Ox bow lakes are found dotted throughout the park. These are excellent grazing areas for antelope. Through out most of the park miombo and mopane woodland dominate.  

Best Time to Visit Kafue National Park

When to Go

The best time to visit is in the June to October dry season as certain sections of the park, particularly the Busango plains, are inaccessible during the November to April wet season. Some of the permanent camps on the plains can be reached my light aircraft. May to August are the coldest months, although daytime temperatures still reach the mid twenties (Celcius).

Getting There & Getting Around

Getting To Kafue National Park

Kafue can be accessed by car from Livingstone in the south, the Copperbelt in the north, Mongu in the west and Lusaka in the east. If travelling from Lusaka to Itezhi Tezhi the previously tarmac road from Mumbwa is often appauling. Once in the park all roads are dirt and vary in quality.

Charter airlines from Lusaka and Livingstone service the air strips at Ngoma, Lufupa, Puku Pan, Hippo Lodge and Misozhi.

Getting Around Kafue National Park

If you have your own car you can access all of Kafue in the dry season, a 4x4 is recommended. Road conditions vary depending on the time of year. Driving is more challenging during and just after the rainy season.

If you are staying in a lodge you will be transferred by them in, out and around the park. 

Kafue National Park Tips : Know Before You Go

ATMs:
There aren’t any ATMs in the park. The most reliable ones are in Lusaka and Livingstone.

Forex/Money:
Money can be changed at the many banks and bureau de changes in Lusaka and Livingstone. Most lodges will offer a money changing service.

Credit/Debit cards:
National Park fees must be paid in cash. If you are staying at a lodge they will often pay park fees for you. It is best to check with your lodge as to the possibility of paying them with a card.

Internet availability:
This is very dependant on way you are staying. Most lodges will have some form of satellite internet service.

Drinking water:
Water is either from a borehole or pumped from an adjoining river, in which case it is treated. Bottled water is available at the lodges.

Hospitals & Medical:
There is a government hospital at Mumbwa and a mission hospital at Nangoma. The nearest big hospitals are in Lusaka and Livingstone but it may be necessary to fly to Johannesburg for major emergencies.

Zambian Visa Requirements:
Citizens of USA, Australia, New Zealand and all European countries -excluding Ireland - require visas. Single entry is US$50 and double entry US$70. 

Kafue National Park Map