Kafue National Park and the Busanga Plains
The vast Kafue is the oldest National Park in Zambia and by far the largest covering a huge 22,400 square kilometres, the largest National Park in Africa, and the second largest national park in the world after the North East Greenland National Park. Yes, it really is about the size of Wales. Kafue has remained largely untouched by development until very recently, yet Kafue remains a pristine African wilderness with superb game viewing and birdwatching
Busanga Plains
The huge (750 square kilometres) Busanga Plains are regarded as the highlight, but there are many diverse habitats from dense woodland, lush green riverine bush, semi arid scrub and large areas of swamp. The northern park is fed by the Lunga and Lufupa rivers which both merge with the Kafue River. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may need to travel my Mokoro (dug out canoe) to access some areas. The flood season is March – May.
The huge (750 square kilometres) Busanga Plains are regarded as the highlight, but there are many diverse habitats from dense woodland, lush green riverine bush, semi arid scrub and large areas of swamp. The northern park is fed by the Lunga and Lufupa rivers which both merge with the Kafue River. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may need to travel my Mokoro (dug out canoe) to access some areas. The flood season is March – May.
Wildlife of Kafue
Probably as diverse as any park in Africa, the wildlife of Kafue is as numerous as it is varied. There is abundant numbers of ‘standard’ wildlife, elephants, lions (large prides of up to 20), buffalo, hippo, cheetah and leopard, though strangely no giraffe. But Kafue is also a great place to see more unusual game, and especially different antelope species such as Tsessebe (very rare), Oribi, Blue wildebeest, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, roan, sitatunga, yellow-backed duiker, red lechwe (in their thousands), Defassa waterbuck, sable and puku. Other unusual wildlife includes pangolin, bushpig, side striped jackals, various mongoose species, and nocturnal species such as genet cats and civets.
Probably as diverse as any park in Africa, the wildlife of Kafue is as numerous as it is varied. There is abundant numbers of ‘standard’ wildlife, elephants, lions (large prides of up to 20), buffalo, hippo, cheetah and leopard, though strangely no giraffe. But Kafue is also a great place to see more unusual game, and especially different antelope species such as Tsessebe (very rare), Oribi, Blue wildebeest, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, roan, sitatunga, yellow-backed duiker, red lechwe (in their thousands), Defassa waterbuck, sable and puku. Other unusual wildlife includes pangolin, bushpig, side striped jackals, various mongoose species, and nocturnal species such as genet cats and civets.
birdlife
More than 470 species of birds have been recorded here, too many to mention, but notable species include; Margaret’s batis, Pel’s fishing owl, Wattled crane, Black-collared eremomela, spoonbill, Bocage’s akalat Scaly-throated honeyguide, Black-tailed waxbill, Green-headed sunbird, Blackbreasted Snake Eagle, Goliath heron, fish eagles and Anchieta’s sunbird.
When to visit
The dry season runs from June – October. Some parts of the park can be inaccessible at any time from November – April, though it is possible to get to some places by canoe. The park can be very different at different times of year. The wet season can be very difficult to get around in, but to see the plains flooded, and the different wildlife attracted is a bonus. After the rains everything is very green and lush, and very beautiful, though wildlife is harder to see. In the dry season it is much easier to get around, game is easier to see and the hippos congregate in the remaining river pools in great numbers.
To find out more about Kafue National Park, and how to visit, Click Kafue.net.
More than 470 species of birds have been recorded here, too many to mention, but notable species include; Margaret’s batis, Pel’s fishing owl, Wattled crane, Black-collared eremomela, spoonbill, Bocage’s akalat Scaly-throated honeyguide, Black-tailed waxbill, Green-headed sunbird, Blackbreasted Snake Eagle, Goliath heron, fish eagles and Anchieta’s sunbird.
When to visit
The dry season runs from June – October. Some parts of the park can be inaccessible at any time from November – April, though it is possible to get to some places by canoe. The park can be very different at different times of year. The wet season can be very difficult to get around in, but to see the plains flooded, and the different wildlife attracted is a bonus. After the rains everything is very green and lush, and very beautiful, though wildlife is harder to see. In the dry season it is much easier to get around, game is easier to see and the hippos congregate in the remaining river pools in great numbers.
To find out more about Kafue National Park, and how to visit, Click Kafue.net.
