Blue lagoon national park

Overview–zambia

Blue Lagoon National Park

Blue Lagoon National Park, one of Zambia’s lesser-known parks, is a true bird-watcher’s paradise. Together with Lochinvar National Park, it protects part of the Kafue Flats, a seasonal floodplain that transforms into a watery wonderland in the Wet season. You can drive through the wetlands on a 5km/3mi causeway that terminates at a stilted viewing platform that offers incredible views across marshy plains brimming with birdlife.

Best Time to Visit

Blue Lagoon is best visited in the Wet season, from November to April. At this time, the 5km/3mi causeway will reach well onto the water, and the sight of the lechwe is spectacular from this vantage point. Blue Lagoon is mainly a birding destination. November to April is the best time for birding, as migrants are present, and many birds are in breeding plumage.

Scenery

When the Kafue River leaves Kafue National Park, it meanders through a magnificent 6,000km²/2,317mi² seasonal floodplain known as the Kafue Flats before eventually merging with the Zambezi River. Blue Lagoon protects an intricate network of channels and lagoons in the northern section of the Kafue Flats. The floodplains are fringed with acacia woodland.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

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Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

Dec

May

Jun

Oct

Nov

Rates

From: $187 to $981 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Most parks)

High Season

From: July to October (Victoria Falls and South Luangwa get busy)

Size

From: 752,618km² / 290,587mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Blue Lagoon isn’t a conventional wildlife destination, but the birdlife is sensational in the Wet season. This is also when the endemic Kafue lechwe gathers on the marshy floodplains. At dawn or dusk, the viewing platform offers a bird’s eye view of these marsh-loving antelopes splashing in the wetlands. Also, keep an eye out for sitatunga; less flamboyant than the lechwe, this shy, water-loving antelope can sometimes be seen creeping through the reeds.

General Wheather

The weather and climate of Blue Lagoon is comparable to that of Zambia in general. The Dry season in Zambia is a lovely time to visit – it’s divided into a cooler period (May to August) and a hotter one (September and October). Zambia is right in the tropics and gets lots of rain in the Wet season (November to April). At that time many camps in Kafue, Lower Zambezi, and the more remote parks shut down. The Mfuwe section of South Luangwa can be visited at any time of year.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

In winter, there’s hardly any rain and humidity is low. Thirsty animals crowd around the waterholes and rivers to drink.

May – The end of summer, when temperatures are pretty cool: typically, 11°C/52°F in the morning and 25°C/77°F in the afternoon. Nighttime temperatures also start to drop and the rains have mostly come to an end.
June, July & August – The average morning temperature is a chilly 10°C/50°F, so bring warm clothing for early game drives. Afternoons are pleasant, with temperatures around 23°C/73°F, although lower-altitude parks such as South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi will be hotter.
September & October – The heat slowly builds and the first rains bring relief from very dry conditions. Daytime temperatures are around 31°C/88°F in October, which is the hottest month. In the lower-lying parks, temperatures often peak at over 40°C/104°F.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

Due to high rainfall and bad roads, the Wet season months from December to March are not ideal for visiting Zambia.

November – An unpredictable month, but usually with some afternoon rain. Temperatures average between 18°C/64°F in the morning and 29°C/84°F in the afternoon.
December, January, February & March – The wettest months, with heavy downpours in the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures are around 26°C/78°F and the humidity is high.
April – The rains slow down and so does the humidity.

Prons

Great birding destination
Close to Lusaka
Home to big herds of the endemic Kafue lechwe
Off-the-beaten-track destination
Unguided walking permitted

Cons

Very seasonal and only worth visiting in the Wet season
Undeveloped park: visitors must be self-sufficient
Only a 5km/3mi road in and out of the floodplains

How To Get There

Visitors to the park should come with their own 4x4. The park is located 120km/74mi from Lusaka on a reasonable road. The drive takes approximately 2 hours*.
*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.