Kafue National Park
Vast, wild and remote, Kafue’s immense landscapes are home to elephants, iconic predators and 21 antelope species.
©Mike Dexter
Experience Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park is a land of immense scale and diversity. Its vast landscapes invite exploration, offering a rich tapestry of wetlands, floodplains, savannah, and characteristic miombo woodland. At 2.2 million hectares, Kafue is Zambia’s most extensive protected wilderness area, yet it remains largely undiscovered. This has allowed the park to retain an authentic, wild quality. While seasonal flooding makes some areas inaccessible at certain times of the year, Kafue is always a rewarding destination.
Perhaps more so than any other area of Zambia, Kafue is shaped by the rhythm of the seasons, with water levels in the Kafue River and its tributaries dictating wildlife movements. The sheer scale of Kafue is reflected in the size of the herds of elephant and buffalo that traverse the plains in search of food and water. Alongside these more familiar species, roan and sable can also be encountered – just two of the total of 21 species of antelope found in Kafue.
With knowledgeable local guides leading walking safaris, game drives, and boat excursions, Kafue slowly gives up its secrets and offers regular sightings of hippo, crocodile, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog. Kafue also offers rich pickings for birders, with over 500 species having been recorded here.
Humans, too have played their part in the story of Kafue. During your stay, you can gain insights into fascinating cultures moulded by the ebb and flow of Kafue’s waters.
©Marcus Westberg
Guided Game Drives
Wildlife dramas play out against an immense backdrop of sky, savannah and woodland, as experienced guides explain how animal behaviour is shaped by the forces of nature.
©Emma Badger
Guided Walks
Led by expert guides, walking safaris give you a chance to slow the pace of your adventures and notice the finer details of the Kafue ecosystem.
Overnight Walking Trails
Kafue offers 3- and 6-day self-catered walking trails. Spend your days following animal tracks and your nights in spectacular settings for the ultimate Zambian wilderness experience.
Self-drive Safaris
Wild and authentic, Kafue is just four hours from Livingstone and Lusaka, making it an ideal destination for self-drive safaris in this vast wilderness.
© Marcus Westberg
A Birder’s Paradise
Kafue’s prolific birdlife includes species like the black-cheeked lovebird, African finfoot, Pel’s fishing-owl, wattled and crowned cranes, the endemic Zambian or Chalin’s barbet and many diverse raptors.
Fishing
Catch-and-release fishing is offered on Kafue’s rivers during the fishing season. Lake Itezhi-Tezhi is a particular favourite.
© Mike Dexter
Guided Night Drives
For overnight guests, a sunset departure for a guided night drive adventures is an ideal way to end your day and is your best changes for seeing nocturnal wildlife. The safari vehicle, with pop-up rooftop, can take a maximum of seven guests.
© Marcus Westberg
Tradition and Cultural Engagement
Engaging with Kafue’s communities offers insight into the cultural traditions and how the local people have adapted to the region’s dynamic seasonal changes.
©Andrew Beck
Game Viewing by Boat
Kafue’s waterways and lakes offer access to remote areas and a new perspective on wildlife, blending serenity and excitement—the essence of Kafue.
Where We Are
Located in south-western Zambia, Kafue National Park overlaps both the Central African Plateau and the Miombo Ecoregion and is accessible from Lusaka, Livingstone and Victoria Falls.
Getting Here
3-4 hours’ drive or a one-hour flight from Lusaka or Livingstone; Kafue Main Gate is 298 km from Lusaka and Dundumwezi Gate only 204 km from Livingstone.
Exceptional Diversity
With 21 antelope species – more than any other protected area in Africa – Kafue’s abundance of game attracts a high density of predators.
Climate
The dry season (April to October) is cooler and arguably the optimum time for wildlife viewing, while the green season (November to March) offers new life and abundance.
Where to Stay
By choosing to stay in one of Kafue National Park’s accommodation options – from camping to luxury lodges – you’re also helping to support sustainable wildlife conservation and community development initiatives, ultimately contributing to the long-term viability of the park.
Luxury Lodges
Kafue’s luxury lodges redefine the modern safari, offering secluded and exclusive experiences alongside exceptional service, beautiful accommodation and immersive activities.
Classic Lodges
Our classic range includes authentic safari accommodation and bush lodges that offer a unique blend of tailored comfort in wild and diverse settings.
Adventure
Immerse yourself in nature by choosing one of the park’s exceptional campsites or affordable accommodations found in spectacular locations.
About Kafue National Park
As Zambia’s oldest national park, Kafue safeguards a vital national water source. Over millennia, its rivers have sculpted the granite massif, creating a landscape shaped by water. Seasonal floods transform grasslands into nutrient-rich dambos, while the Lufupa and Nanzhila rivers spill across the iconic Busanga and Nanzhila Plains.
The granite hills of Lubalanzuki, Kaindabaila, and Mutumbwe have a cultural significance that transcends their prominence in the landscape, while Lake Itezhi-Tezhi is a wildlife haven offering superb shoreline game viewing.
Vast Miombo woodlands dominate the park, interspersed with teak and mopane forests and expansive grasslands, together forming a rich mosaic of habitats.
Kafue is home to some 158 mammal species, 70 types of reptile, 72 fish species and 36 amphibian species. Over 500 bird species have been recorded in Kafue – a further testament to its sheer size and diversity.