Overview–zambia

Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is one of the largest parks in Africa. It’s larger than some small countries and bigger than Kruger National Park. Although Kafue is very accessible on a good road from Lusaka, it feels remote and wild. Animal densities are quite low compared to South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks, but the diversity of wildlife is unparalleled.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Kafue National Park is from July to October – the middle and end of the Dry season. The bush has dried out and thirsty animals head to rivers and waterholes, which makes these the best months for wildlife viewing. The Busanga Plains are off-limits in the Wet season when they are flooded.

May to October –Dry Season

Animals are easier to find
Days are sunny; it rarely rains
Malaria risk is low as there are few mosquitoes around
Busanga Plains is only accessible in the Dry season
High-season rates may apply
The sky is very hazy and the bush looks parched
October is very hot
Mornings are cold; wear warm clothing on early morning game drives

November to April –Wet Season

The scenery in the ‘Emerald season’ is green and fresh
There are few tourists around and rates are low
It’s the best time for birding because migratory birds arrive
You can see lots of newborn animals
You’ll see more animals in the Dry season
Many lodges are closed and the Busanga area is off-limits
Roads are in bad condition and various game-drive routes become impassable
It’s hot and humid
Malaria is a bigger concern than in the Dry season

Scenery

The Kafue River and its tributaries are lined with riverine forests, best appreciated on boat cruises. Away from the rivers, the main vegetation is miombo woodland interspersed with open plains and wetlands. Termite mounds, big and small, dot the landscape throughout the park. The vast Busanga Plains, in the far north, offers Kafue’s most productive wildlife-viewing area in the Dry season.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Jan

Feb

Mar

Dec

April

May

Jun

Nov

Rates

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

Best Time to Go

From: July to October (Animals are easier to find)

High Season

From: July to October (Higher rates apply; busier)

Size

From: 22,400km² / 8,649mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Although different areas of the park offer different experiences, Kafue National Park has a fair amount of wildlife. Elephants are very common and the 300-plus super herds that form around Lake Itezhi-Tezhi are a sight to behold. There are plenty of hippos and crocodiles in the rivers and, while some of the wildlife can be a bit skittish, lions are as lazy and relaxed as they are anywhere.

Wildlife Highlights

This ecologically diverse park stands out for its wide variety of antelope, with a total of 20 species present. You’ll see massive herds of red lechwe in the wetlands (where you also find puku). On drier ground, you might spot Lichtenstein's hartebeest, sable antelope, roan antelope, greater kudu and oribi. Leopards are widespread and regularly encountered on night drives, while cheetahs are mostly seen on the Busanga Plains.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for wildlife viewing in the park is the middle and end of the Dry season, from July to October. This is when animals gather around remaining water sources. The thinning vegetation makes spotting easier too.

General Wheather

Kafue National Park has a hot climate, with a Wet season and Dry season. The average temperature is quite uniform throughout the year, as the park is in the tropics. However, there is an increase in temperature in October, before the rains begin. The nights tend to be cooler from May to August.

Dry Season –May to October

There is very little rain in the Dry season. It is warm during the day, but cool at night and in the early morning. Warm clothing is essential for early morning game drives.

May – This is the start of the Dry season. The bush is still lush, and there is a lot of water around, but precipitation has become minimal.
June & July – The rain has completely stopped. These are the coolest months – daytime temperatures are around 24°C/75°F. It gets cold at night with average temperatures of around 8°C/46°F.
August & September – It is still completely dry. The bush is starting to look parched. It is warming up too, and September has an average daytime temperature of 30°C/86°F. Mornings are less cold at 16°C/61°F on average.
October – Temperatures keep increasing to an average of 31°C/88°F. Peak temperatures can be much higher. Mornings are comfortable with temperatures around 18°C/64°F. The first rain usually falls this month – temperatures will drop after the rain.

Wet Season –November to April

During the warm, Wet season, roads deteriorate, and many camps are closed. The Busanga Plains area is totally off-limits during these months. Afternoon showers are a regular event. The bush is green and lush.

November – It usually begins to rain in late October or November. The rain is a relief because the bush is very dry and hot. Daytime temperatures average 31°C/88°F. It doesn’t rain every day, but there might be thunderstorms some afternoons.
December, January, February & March – The wettest months bring rain most days, but rarely lasting the whole day. Daytime temperatures are around 31°C/88°F, while night and early morning temperatures average about 14°C/57°F.
April – This is a lovely month with less rain, but everything is lush and green. Although there isn’t much rain, the roads are still muddy.

Prons

Great wildlife viewing
Four of the Big Five are present (rhino is missing)
Lots of antelope species
Remote, with so much to explore
Great night drives, walking safaris and boat safaris
Easy to get to and relatively close to Lusaka

Cons

The animals, especially elephants, are quite shy
Lots of harmless but annoying tsetse flies
Hazy skies in the Dry season

How To Get There

Kafue National Park is located 360km/223mi from the capital, Lusaka. The drive, on a good tar road, takes about 4 hours*.

There are many safari packages to Kafue and self-drive to the park is relatively easy too. However, to venture any distance into the park itself, a good 4x4 is essential.

Most people staying at the high-end lodges fly by chartered plane to Kafue. There are several airstrips in the park.

Zambia’s main airport, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), is 14km/9mi from Lusaka – this is where you will most likely enter the country. Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone is also handy for the park.

The domestic carriers Proflight and Zambia Airways offer flights to several parks, but currently not to Kafue.

Charter flights between parks are usually part of your safari package and are booked by your tour operator.

*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.