Kafue National Park Travel Guide

Kafue, Zambia's oldest and largest national park is relatively close to Livingstone and offers an uncrowded game-viewing experience.

Diverse wildlife of Kafue National Park

Renowned for its extraordinary diversity of wildlife, Kafue National Park is home to the highest number of ungulate species south of the Congo Basin, including rare antelopes like the blue and yellow-backed duikers, sitatunga, lechwe, roan, sable and hartebeest.

For predator enthusiasts, Kafue is a prime destination. It's one of the best places in Africa to spot leopards, especially during night drives and afternoon boat cruises along the Kafue River. The park is also home to Zambia's only viable cheetah population which thrives in its mixed woodlands and riverine areas.

Kafue also boasts a healthy population of African wild dogs. These elusive predators are often seen in packs throughout various habitats, from dense woodlands to riverine areas.

The Kafue River and its tributaries are teeming with life, featuring pods of hippos and some of southern Africa's largest crocodiles. During the dry months of August and September, elephants can often be seen swimming across the river, adding to the park's dynamic wildlife scenes.

The Busanga Plains in the northern part of the park are a highlight, known for their seasonal flooding that supports large herds of red lechwe, buffalo, and relaxed roan antelope. Birdlife is abundant here, with pelicans, egrets, and open-billed storks, among many others. The plains also serve as a breeding ground for endangered wattled cranes and attract large flocks of crowned cranes.

Unique species and birdwatching opportunities

Kafue is a sanctuary for some of Africa's more elusive and rare species, such as pangolins, bushpigs, monitor lizards, aardvarks, and numerous species of mongoose. With 158 recorded mammal species, the park is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts.

Birdwatchers will find Kafue a paradise that boasts over 500 species—more than the entire continent of Europe. Notable birds include Pel's fishing owl, black-cheeked lovebird, and Zambia's only endemic bird, the Chaplin's barbet. The varied habitats, from miombo woodlands to open plains, support a wide range of birdlife, making every game drive a unique experience.

Scenic landscapes and vegetation

Kafue's landscape is dominated by miombo woodlands, characterized by semi-deciduous trees and interspersed with seasonally flooded dambos. These dambos are vital for sustaining wildlife during the dry months. The park also features teak forests and mopane woodlands, offering a variety of ecosystems for safari enthusiasts to explore.

The Kafue River, the park's lifeline, bisects it from north to south and is a significant tributary of the Zambezi River. This broad, slow-moving river, with its sand islands and rapids, provides habitats for otters, hippos, and basking crocodiles. Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, created in the 1970s, is a hotspot for birdwatching, particularly around the dam area.

Best times to visit Kafue National Park

Kafue's climate is milder compared to the Luangwa or Zambezi valleys, with temperatures occasionally dropping to freezing in winter (June to August). The park is accessible year-round via several airstrips, although the dry season (June to October) is the best time for game viewing, as wildlife congregates around water sources.