Kafue National Park

The Kafue National Park in Zambia is the oldest and largest park in Zambia. It is centrally located in Zambia and is roughly the size of Belgium. The park is divided by a main road (M9) and therefore has a northern and southern part. The northern part is characterized by the Busanga Plains, a part that is still untouched and known for the cheetahs that have their optimal habitat there. The southern part is perhaps the most developed with several lodges and camps and extends to Lake Itezhi-Tezhi. Since African Parks took over the management, the park has seen several good developments such as infrastructure improvement, but awareness of nature conservation in particular has taken flight.

Kafue is not so much known for the amount of animals, but mainly for its diversity. You can see many grazers such as buffaloes, elephants, puku, roan antelope, sable antelope, sitatunga, lechwe, but also the necessary predators such as cheetah, lion, leopard, African painted dog and more than 500 species of birds, one even more colorful than the other.

Kafue is easily accessible from Lusaka and from Livingstone. From Lusaka you follow the M9 and after the Hook bridge you have the option to go left into the park to the south, or right to the northern part. Travel time is approximately 3 hours from Lusaka.

From Livingstone follow the T1 north and exit at Kalamo. Travel time from Livingstone is approximately 2.5 hours. The roads in the park have a gravel or hard sand / stone surface which makes it easy to drive around yourself.

There are a few good and some high-end lodges in the park, and a few wonderful campsites. You will find accommodation that fits every budget.

You pay the park entrance fee at the gate to the left or right of the M9, or traveling south from Kalomo. The cost for international customers with private transportation is $20 per day per person and $15 per car per day, plus $5 per person per day if you are camping in the park.