Found in the central-western region of Zambia, the Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest of Zambia's national parks covering a massive 22500 Km Sq.
First established as national Park in the 50's by the legendary Norman Carr, The Kafue is one of the largest national parks in the whole of Africa and remains largely un explored. 67% of the Park is still designated as "Wilderness Area" where only walking safaris can be conducted.

In recent years the Kafue has seen a small and well managed growth in the number of Safari camps & Lodges that operate in the Park, this new interest has brought with it more visitors and investment. There are still far fewer visitors to the Kafue when compared to other smaller national parks and it is very likely that apart from your fellow guests in camp you will not encounter other visitors during a safari. mportantly the wildlife now enjoys an increased level of protection from the Zambian wildlife authorities (ZAWA) and from the conscientious efforts of the Safari camps & lodges that operate in the national park. The bush is still very wild and natural. The dominant ecological make up of the the Kafue is "Miombo Woodland" a semi-continuous tree cover dominated by small trees of the Brachystegia and Julbernardia family with a grassy undergrowth. Bush fires which can occur in the dry season cause these trees to develop a fire-resistant bark. Less common is Mopane woodland, in these areas mighty Baobab also grow.

The Kafue is dissected roughly North to South by the broad slow flowing Kafue River which is fed by seasonal streams that flow from the emptying plains. Often these stream gully's have steep sandy banks which provide nest sites for bee eaters and day time cover for diminutive creatures like Duiker. The larger tributaries are the Lufupa and Lunga rivers.

The Busanga Plains found in the north / north west are regarded as the jewel in the crown of this beautiful park. Busanga is a vast flood plain which for much of the year is submerged below seasonal flood waters which generate vast areas of grazing for the huge herds of Buffalo which can be found here, great flocks of Open Billed storks can be seen spiraling in the thermals over the plains rising and falling to the lagoons where they feed on snails and invertebrates in the shallows. Crowned cranes and rare Wattled cranes search amongst the grass for insects and beetles .

Throughout the park and especially where tree lines occur are areas dotted with thousands of small termite mounds some rubbed smooth by generations of warthogs and all making ideal perches for Chats and Thrushes as they hawk insects. Some termite mounds are enormous, having developed over hundreds or thousands of years in to small hills often topped with Euphorbia Candelabra and Jackleberry trees also known as African ebony their seeds are said to be found in the dung of Jackals.

The bush is interspersed with clearings formed by old river channels oxbows which are known as "Dambos'" with near constant water these areas provide lush grazing even in the dry season attracting wide variety of antelope species. The Kafue holds possibly the greatest diversity of wildlife of any national park in Africa, a number of rare antelope are regarded as commonplace including Red Lechwe, Liechtenstein's Hartebeest, Roan, Sable and Reedbuck who along with Impala , Kudu, Puku (endemic) make who make up the core diet of the Lion population and there are also surprisingly shy Zebra (Burchels), BlueWildebeest, Bush Buck, Oribi and increasing numbers of Eland.

Lions are a very frequent sighting in most parts of the Kafue and often heard calling at night, but of course nothing can be guaranteed and if Lions make a kill far of in the bush, days may pass with out a sighting, but that is unusual. The Plains are regarded as one of the best places to see them, the main pride in this area is well known to the guides, The majestic "Big John" (named after John Chibwantu one of the Kafue's best known guides) held court on the plains for nearly 8 years and his passing in 2006 has seen new males move in and the hope is that with them will come more cubs. The Kafue Lions are well known for their preference for Buffalo and herds numbering in the hundreds are seldom at rest for fear of the attention of Lions. Unfortunately Rhino were persecuted out the last one seen in the early 1980's although rumors exist of sightings.

The Kafue is regarded as one of the best places in Africa to see Leopard , the quality of the Kafue's guides is such that experienced and highly skilled guides can often find them especially on night drives and it is not unusual to follow a Leopard at a respectful distance as it stalks a Bush buck or as it lays in wait for an Impala to stray close enough to make a kill. It is possible to encounter Cheetah at any time and they often seen in the Lufupa & Kafwala areas and in the South on the Nanzhilla Plains , on the Busanga plains and we have observed cubs each dry season for the last few years. African Hunting Dogs appear to be on the increase recovering from low numbers in the last decade. This very mobile animal is difficult to track because of the speed and distances they cover but visitors have enjoyed many more sightings in the last few years which is wonderful for guests and guides alike. Spotted Hyena in the Kafue are very timid compared to their cousins in east Africa and with good cause, research has shown just how aggressively Lions react to their presence, it is noticeable that Leopards don't feel sufficiently threatened by Hyena to tree their kills preferring to eat on the ground.

The Rivers are a magnet for wildlife of every possible kind and there are lot of Hippos, most evenings in camp you can expect to be serenaded by Hippo grunting from the river and may hear them squealing in a most un Hippo like way as the bulls sort out territorial disputes. Magnificent Elephants are frequent visitors to the Rivers and river safaris produce some great photo opportunities,as well as being seen on game drives and walks. Mature confident bulls visit some camps, but only on their own terms and usually to feed on the trees in camp. The Kafue Elephants had a hard time from poachers in the 80s and 90s and although this problem is now very well under control, the breeding herds are quite nervous but this is sure to change overtime.

Many small animals feature in the Park common sightings include : Banded, Slender, Water & White tailed Mongoose. Foraging Genet, Civet cats, Lesser & Thick tailed bush baby's, Spring hare (rare), Duiker (including Blue species), Grysbok, Clawless Otter ( confusingly sometimes also called water mongoose but not the same ), Honey badger (Rattel). Crocodiles are found basking in the sun on the banks, as are water Monitors and any number of birds.

With around 450 species the Kafue is a bird spotters paradise, during the day Fish eagles call from the river, Kites are nearly always over head and King fishers (various) actively fish from trees in camp also often seen in camp are Paradise Fly Catchers, Blue Cardinals, Fire Finches tiny Sunbirds. Amongst the woodlands and riverine Forest marshal eagles glide over the tree tops there presence often first revealed by the Gray Lourie with their familiar “go away” call. The plains are a magnet to birds Storks, including Saddle billed, Wattled, Yellow and Open billed. Kites, and snake eagles Armadas of Pelicans come together in rows as they herd fish in to the shallows during the dry session feeding . Senegal Coucals fly clumsily between trees and the ground to feed, Pratincoles fly low and fast in open areas and at night spotlights show up Dikkops (the flat battery bird) and churring Nightjars. The list of Birds and animals wildlife goes on and on and for many visitors one visit is not enough, returning time and again to this wild and unspoiled wilderness.

The Rivers are a magnet for wildlife of every possible kind and there are lot of Hippos, most evenings in camp you can expect to be serenaded by Hippo grunting from the river and may hear them squealing in a most un Hippo like way as the bulls sort out territorial disputes.
Magnificent Elephants are frequent visitors to the Rivers and river safaris produce some great photo opportunities,as well as being seen on game drives and walks. Mature confident bulls visit some camps, but only on their own terms and usually to feed on the trees in camp. The Kafue Elephants had a hard time from poachers in the 80s and 90s and although this problem is now very well under control, the breeding herds are quite nervous but this is sure to change overtime.

The Rivers are a magnet for wildlife of every possible kind and there are lot of Hippos, most evenings in camp you can expect to be serenaded by Hippo grunting from the river and may hear them squealing in a most un Hippo like way as the bulls sort out territorial disputes.
Magnificent Elephants are frequent visitors to the Rivers and river safaris produce some great photo opportunities,as well as being seen on game drives and walks. Mature confident bulls visit some camps, but only on their own terms and usually to feed on the trees in camp. The Kafue Elephants had a hard time from poachers in the 80s and 90s and although this problem is now very well under control, the breeding herds are quite nervous but this is sure to change overtime.