Facts about Kafue National Park Zambia

Facts about Kafue National Park Zambia

Facts about Kafue National Park Zambia. Kafue National Park is the largest Zambia National Park and the second largest game park in Africa covering about 22400 square kilometers. The abundant fauna and flora of Kafue National Park puts it on the list of African safari destinations to visit before you age. More than 152 wildlife species find Kafue National Park a comfortable habitat to live in.

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Filming in Kafue National Park

 Ngoma situated in the southern part of Kafue National Park is the park’s headquarters

River Kafue runs north to the south covering three provinces of Zambia that is the North West, Central and Southern. It is from this river that Kafue National Park gets its name.

 The vegetation of Kafue National Park is composed of mainly miombo woodland that is composed of forest, swamp vegetation especially in the floodplains of River Kafue

 Several animals spend their day in Kafue National Park that some include Impalas, Oribi, African Bufaloes, aardvark, Sitatunga, red lechwe, bushpigs, warthogs, hartebeests, yellow backed duikers and others.

Two tributaries also feed Kafue River closer to this park that is Lufupa and Lunga.

 Kafue National Park was first a game reserve created in 1920s but later in 1924, the British Colonialists evacuated the locals that is the Nkoya of Mwene Kabulwebulwe people around the game reserve to another location. This was the hunting ground for the local people where they collected bush meat and this is still a problem which is claiming a number of wild animals.

The game park was finally changed into a National Park in 1950s by Normal Carr.

What to Do In Kafue National Park Zambia

Game Drives in Kafue National Park

The game drives of Kafue National Park are the highlight of this vast Zambia National Park. Tracks to allow quicker navigation in the park provide a great opportunity to spotting wide range of wild animals. Starting the game drive in Kafue National Park early morning and late afternoon gives you better chances to spot a number of wild animals.

During the game drive in Kafue National Park you may spot wild animals like herds of elephants, Zebras, blue Wildebeests, defassa waterbucks, Pangolin, bushbucks, kudus, pukus, lions, leopards, duikers, cheetahs, Oribi, Bushbaby, aadvark and others. The Kafue River is the gathering spot for most animals especially in the dry season when there is water scarcity in the park.

The Hippos and crocodiles enjoy spending time in Kafue River. Leopards love living in the forested parts of the park.

The long list of wild animals in Kafue National Park is attributed to the presence of different vegetation zones in this park which favor there survival.

Birding Safari in Kafue National Park

The Kafue National Park in Zambia is a great birding destination with more than 500 bird species recorded in the country. During the Zambia birding safari in Kafue National Park especially in the flood plains  and swampy areas you get an opportunity to identify a wide range of birds including Chaplin’s Barbet on the IUCN list, Pelicans, Grey Crowned Cranes, flamingos, African Finfoot, pigeons, bastards, African Openbill turacos, sand grouse, guinea fowl, king fisher, African Skimmers to mention but a few.

 The presence of swampy spots of the park like Buganga swamp provides a great birding spot of Kafue National Park where you may get the opportunity to see birds like wattle cranes and others.

For better birding experience in Kafue National Park an early start is rewarding before the birds disperse to different locations of this park.

Sport Fishing On Kafue River

Sport fishing is another exciting activity anglers can engage in while in Kafue National Park. The presence of the Kafue River with various fish species makes it a desired activity to be part of. There are designated spots of River Kafue where sport fishing is done. You need to book a fishing permit and carry your fishing equipment too.

 Some of the fish types found in Kafue River include barbell, bream, Tilapia, Killifish, Kapenta, Cyprinid and others. Tt is a catch and release adventure in order to allow sustainable existence of these fish species. Hiring a boat and boat captain for your time at the river is more relaxing and gives you better chance of catching fish.

Canoeing on Kafue River

Enjoying the canoeing adventure on Kafue River is relaxing as you watch wild animals and birds that grace the banks of the river. The environment along the River banks is cool and punctuated by ever green vegetation.  Schools of Hippos and crocodiles launch there day time in this water and the hippos may put up a fountain show as they pill water during the ride.

Walking safari in Kafue National Park

Do the African game safaris differently by walking on foot where you get the opportunity to be just a few meters from the wild animals. All walking safaris must be guided by a ranger guide in Kafue National Park and require advance booking. The walking safaris in Kafue National Park give you an opportunity to get to locations considered to be out of bounds for vehicle drivers and this is driving off track.

During the walking safaris in Kafue National Park, you get to mingle with the wilderness directly, smell nature, observe things from a closer range and much more. these walks are taken from a particular area and during the walk, you may get to spot animals like elephants, waterbucks, reedbucks, buffaloes, several antelopes and much more.

What is The Climate Of Kafue National Park?

On average, the park receives about 510 mm in the south and 1020 mm in the north of rain annually.  The average temperature of Kafue National Park is 21 degrees to 33 degrees centigrade annually. the winds blow lightly from the east.

When is the best Time to Visit Kafue National Park?

Kafue National Park is open all year but the dry season which is June to October is most exciting as wild animals and birds traverse the park. The grass is lower in the dry season allowing easier animal viewing even from afar during the game drives. The nature of the topography of Kafue National Park is generally flat with less highlands so this vast plain opens better chances of seeing a number of animals.

The tracks in Kafue National Park are quicker to drive through but dusty and bumpy too.

More people book Zambia safaris in the dry season so expect traffic in the Kafue National Park during this peak season. It is best to book your logistics that support Zambian safaris in advance in order not to get disappointed at the last minute.

The wet season that is March to May is normally the low tourism season of Zambia but you can visit the park too as chances of witnessing new births are more possible during this time. If you wish to share your holiday space with less people, the wet season in this park attracts fewer crowds. Even those with a limited budget may make use of the low season when prices of some safari amenities may be discounted by providers as they try to break even. Contact our team to plan your visit to Kafue National Park.

What accommodation to Book On Kafue National Park Safari?

A variety of accommodations are available to book in and around Kafue National Park in Zambia. These accommodations are categorized into luxury, mid-range and basic. Some of these Kafue National Park accommodations include Ntemwa Busanga Camp, Musekese Camp, Busanga Bush Lodge, KaingU Lodge, Fig Tree Camp, Mukambi Safari Lodge, Shumba camp, Chisa Bush Camp and others.

During the peak season, accommodations in and around the Kafue National Park sell out so it is best to book in advance to avoid inconveniences.

How safe is Kafue National Park For A Safari in Zambia?

Kafue National Park is safe for safaris in Zambia as on ground are ranger guides who regularly patrol the park in search for anything odd in and out of the park. As a tourist, following the guidelines on safari is very important for your safety. During the game drives, you must stay in the vehicle and no stepping out with permission from a ranger guide because you do not know what is watching.

Driving off track while in Kafue National Park may be quite dangerous because you may land in some of the unsafe spots of the park.

Do not step out of your facility in the night because most of these lodges have no fence and are prowled by some carnivores and other animals that may hurt you.

How Much is the Cost of Safari to Kafue National Park?

The cost of a safari in Kafue National Park vary with the safari plan you choose. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we package our safaris according to Up-Market, basic and Mid-range. Some of the factor that determine the cost of safari in Kafue National Park include number of people travelling with, number of days on safari, activities to engage in , timing of the safari and much more.

Paying park entrance fees is a compulsory cost for tourists travelling to Kafue National Park no matter the package you choose. The park fees are a contribution to the funds required to conserve Kafue National park and park maintenance.

How to get to Kafue National Park?

The drive from Lusaka to Kafue National Park is about 4 hours but you need a 4x4wheel drive vehicle in good condition in order to successfully complete the safari. The roads in the countryside are quite rough allowing you to feel the African massage.

Fly Safari to Kafue National Park can also be arranged but this need to be organised in advance. There are charter flight services to Kafue National Park. No schedules flight services are available. Contact us to organize your transportation means in advance.

Can Kids Travel To Kafue National Park

Children are allowed to visit Kafue National Park but they must be with a responsible adult. The Kafue National Park has a variety of wild animals including carnivores that are dangerous in case children wander into the park. Even noise making is not allowed in the park so when traveling with children while on safari in Kafue National Park you must brief them and use at least a pinky to prevent the babies from noise making.

 Warn children about toilet breaks during the game drives because they are not allowed unless in company of a ranger guide.

What are the guidelines of A safari in Kafue National Park

• Calling out on the animals while in the Kafue National Park is forbidden because it disturbs the wild animals and may push them into the deeper ends of the park yet others would like to see them too.
• Honor the speed limit while on game drive in the Kafue National game parks to prevent accidents on both the animals and the tourists. Driving off track is not accepted unless with permission from Zambia Wildlife Authority.
• Never disturb the wild animals by hooting at them as you may cause them to run away yet other tourists would like to have some moment with them just like you have. When you find them crossing stop and wait for them. Some of them may charge at you when you sound the vehicle horn which is dangerous.
• Do not come with dogs or other pets into the park as chances of getting infection from the wild animals or the pet may happen which is quite dangerous to conservation.
• Keep all your litter in your car like plastic wraps as these alter the nature of the environment where these animals thrive.
• Carrying ammunition in the park is not accepted because you may be triggered to use it and kill the wild animals or anyone in your company.
• Never pick flowers or trample on the vegetation in the parks as you destroy the environment where animals thrive. Do not pack anything from the park but just take pictures while on safari and leave only vehicle tyre prints.
• Retain all official receipts for verification at exit so that you are not inconvenienced
• All the park gate are open from 0700 hrs to 1900 hours.

For further information, please contact us.