Overview–zambia

Lochinvar National Park

Lochinvar National Park is renowned as a fantastic birding destination; waterbirds, especially, are abundant on Chunga Lagoon. This area is also home to large herds of the endemic Kafue lechwe, and you’ll enjoy seeing these water-loving antelopes splashing through the wetland. Also of interest is Gwisho hot springs and several massive baobab trees.

Best Time to Visit

Lochinvar National Park is mainly a birding destination. The best bird-watching months are in the Wet season from December to April, when the floodplains fill with water and migrant birds settle in for the season. At this time many birds are in breeding plumage too. The Kafue lechwe can be seen throughout the year. The floodplains might, however, be difficult to access after heavy rain.

May to October –Dry Season

It is sunny and it rarely rains
There are few mosquitoes and the risk of malaria is minimal
Game-drive tracks are dry
The dried-up vegetation makes general wildlife viewing easier
The sky is very hazy and the bush looks parched
October is very hot

November to April –Wet Season

The best time for birding as migrants are present
The floodplain is filled with water
December to January is the mating season for the Kafue lechwe
The scenery is green and fresh – this is called the ‘Emerald season’
The floodplain becomes difficult to approach
Roads are in bad condition and driving becomes more limited
Hot and humid conditions
Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season

Scenery

Lochinvar is located on the southern edge of the Kafue Flats, a vast swampy floodplain fed by the Kafue River. The wetland also includes the open waters of the Chunga Lagoon, which is the focal point for birding and seeing the lechwe. To get there you’ll drive through woodland and grassland dotted with termite mounds.

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Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: December to April (Excellent birding)

High Season

From: Never (The park is rarely visited)

Size

From: 428km² / 165mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Lochinvar National Park is home to big herds of Kafue lechwe, which can be seen in the wetland area around Chunga Lagoon. Other wildlife is present, but numbers are very low. There are buffalo and plains zebras, but you’re not likely to see them. Aside from spotted hyenas, which can sometimes be heard at night, there are no big predators.

Wildlife Highlights

The main interest in Lochinvar is the incredible birdlife. Aside from the Kafue lechwe, you might see greater kudus in the woodland and perhaps a pair of oribi in the grassland area. There are plenty of crocodiles and hippos in the lake but as there are currently no boat trips available, you might not see them.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

As Lochinvar isn’t primarily a wildlife destination, you can visit the park at any time. The wetland area is most beautiful during the Wet season months of December through to April. However, rain can interfere with activities at this time and the roads around the floodplains might become difficult to navigate.

General Wheather

Lochinvar National Park’s climate is hot, and there’s a Wet and Dry season. Because it is in the tropics, the average temperature is quite consistent year-round, although a notable increase in temperature occurs in October, before the rains. It gets quite cold at night from May to August.

Dry Season –May to October

There is practically no rain in the Dry season. The bush gets drier as the season progresses. It is warm during the day, but cold at night. Warm clothing is essential for chilly, early mornings.

May – The start of the Dry season when the bush is still lush and there is a lot of water around. By May, rainfall has almost stopped.
June & July – The rain has finished, and the bush is drying out. These are the coolest months with daytime temperatures around 24°C/75°F. Nights are chilly, with average temperatures of 9°C/48°F.
August & September – No rainfall, so the bush is starting to look very dry. It is warming up – September has an average temperature during the day of 30°C/86°F. Mornings are temperate at 17°C/63°F on average.
October – Temperatures increase to average 32°C/90°F, although they often reach much higher and the heat can become oppressive. Mornings are far milder with temperatures around 19°C/66°F. October usually marks the start of the rains, with temperatures falling after precipitation begins.

Wet Season –November to April

Roads deteriorate in the warm Wet season. Afternoon showers are the norm and nature puts on quite a show with spectacular thunderstorms. The floodplain fills with water.

November – If the first drops of rain haven’t appeared by late October, then it will be in November. It’s very hot, and the rain comes as a relief. In the daytime, it’s around 32°C/90°F. Rain comes mostly in afternoon thunderstorms.
December, January, February & March – The wettest months bring rain most days, but it rarely lasts the whole day. Daytime temperatures average 31°C/88°F, while nighttime (and early morning) temperatures average 15°C/59°F.
April – This is a lovely month with everything lush and green. Although there isn’t much rain, the roads are still wet, and driving is difficult.

Prons

Great birding destination with over 420 species recorded
Home to big herds of the endemic Kafue lechwe
Off-the-beaten-track destination
Unguided walking is allowed

Cons

No accommodation or other facilities
Low wildlife densities and little variety
Very limited access to Chunga Lagoon and no boat trips
Limited game-drive network
Gypsum mine in the park

How To Get There

Lochinvar National Park is located 186km/115mi from Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. The drive takes about 3 hours*. It can easily be visited en route to Kafue National Park. Due to lack of facilities in the park, most people stay in Moorings Campsite, about 60km/37mi from the park entrance. From here, the drive takes about an hour.

Most visitors to the country fly into Zambia’s main airport, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), which is 14km/9mi outside of Lusaka. If Victoria Falls is also on your itinerary, you could fly in or out of Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), just outside Livingstone and close to the falls.

There are no scheduled flights to Lochinvar. The domestic carriers operating scheduled flights to some of the high-profile parks are Proflight and Zambia Airways.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), and what tickets would cost.