What animals can be found in Kafue National Park?

Kafue is home to iconic African predators: prides of lion, rare and elusive leopards, packs of wild dogs and most notably cheetah, which are scarce in other parts of Zambia. Common sightings in Kafue include elephant, buffalo, zebra, impala, and hippo. An array of antelope species are also found in Kafue, including puku, bushbuck, roan, sable, waterbuck, and the endemic Kafue lechwe.

When is the best time to visit Kafue National Park?

The best time to visit Kafue is between June and October, when conditions are dry and the wildlife congregates around water, making for wonderful game viewing. Our camps in Kafue, Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp, are only open during these winter months, as the area becomes inundated in the rainy season.

Where is Kafue National Park located?

Kafue National Park is in the centre of western Zambia.

What should I pack for a safari in Kafue National Park?

As the temperatures are generally warm in Kafue National Park, we recommend you pack light clothing and a jacket for early morning and evening activities. On safari, neutral colours work best. Also, don’t forget to pack comfortable walking shoes, a rain jacket, sunglasses, a hat, and binoculars.

How big is Kafue National Park?

Kafue is Zambia’s largest national park, covering an area of 22,400km², larger than the country of Wales.

How deep is the Kafue River?

The Kafue River is one of the longest and widest rivers in Zambia and is a tributary of the Zambezi River. The depth varies over its 979km length.

Zambia

Kafue

Unfenced and untamed, Kafue is known for its predators and boundless Busanga Plains. Explore Zambia’s largest protected area.

Home Africa Zambia Kafue National Park

Larger than life safaris in Kafue

The Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue rivers give life to this remote swathe of Zambian wilderness. A Kafue National Park safari will see you exploring vast tracts of unspoiled Zambian country. Here lions have adapted to hunt in the swamps, following great herds of semi-aquatic lechwe. The birdlife is thrilling in its diversity and sheer numbers, with numerous regional specials.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Kafue at a glance

The north of Kafue National Park is dominated by rivers, seasonal floodplains and wildlife-rich wetlands, where lions leap across channels and hippos are seen bobbing in the deeper channels. As the Kafue River flows south, woodlands and grassland take over and large populations of plains game abound.

Key Facts

Habitats

Wildlife

Weather

Kafue key facts

At 22,400km², Kafue National Park is some 15% bigger than South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park, and an important stronghold for Zambia’s wildlife. The Busanga swamps are an official Ramsar site, and birders will delight in the many special species that make this precious protected area their home.

GEOGRAPHIC SIZE

22,400km²

BIRD SPECIES

+/- 500

MAMMAL SPECIES

+/- 158

BEST TIME TO VISIT

June to October

WILDERNESS CAMPS

2

Weather

Kafue’s climate is generally warm, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year as the park is in the tropics. The nights tend to be cooler between May and September, with October usually being the hottest month. Most camps are closed during the rainy season as the grass plains are inundated and Busanga becomes inaccessible.

SUMMER SEASON

October to April

DRY SEASON

May to September

Key Facts

Kafue key facts

At 22,400km², Kafue National Park is some 15% bigger than South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park, and an important stronghold for Zambia’s wildlife. The Busanga swamps are an official Ramsar site, and birders will delight in the many special species that make this precious protected area their home.

GEOGRAPHIC SIZE

22,400km²

BIRD SPECIES

+/- 500

MAMMAL SPECIES

+/- 158

BEST TIME TO VISIT

June to October

WILDERNESS CAMPS

2

Habitats

Wildlife

Weather

Kafue’s climate is generally warm, with distinct wet and dry seasons. The temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year as the park is in the tropics. The nights tend to be cooler between May and September, with October usually being the hottest month. Most camps are closed during the rainy season as the grass plains are inundated and Busanga becomes inaccessible.

SUMMER SEASON

October to April

DRY SEASON

May to September

THINGS TO DO

Kafue experiences

The exceptional biodiversity of Kafue creates a rewarding range of activities. Boat rides before the channels and plains dry out offer eye-level sightings of the big cats and their prey, while a birding session will satisfy your search for specials among the 500+ species found in the park. Scan the plains for Kafue’s wildlife on a game drive or better yet, on foot with our expert safari guides.

Explore all experiences

01 / 10

Birding

Birding with a knowledgeable Wilderness guide is spectacular across all our regions, with 930 different species for twitchers to tick.

Birding

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Private safari

Create treasured memories with family and friends on an exclusive private safari across Africa’s most iconic destinations.

Private Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Wilderness Experiences Boating Family Fun

Boat safari

View wildlife from the water on a thrilling boat safari, past hippos, sunbathing crocodiles and a dazzling array of birds.

Boat Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Rwanda

Game drives

Get closer to thrilling wildlife interactions and see creatures big and small on morning and afternoon game drives.

Game Drives

Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia

Nature drives

Get close to rare wildlife, explore otherworldly landscapes and immerse yourself in uncharted territory on a nature drive.

Nature Drives

Namibia

Wilderness Experiences Natural Wonders Victoria Falls

Safari wonders & attractions

There’s something epic awaiting at every one of our destinations. Discover Africa’s top attractions when you safari with us.

Safari wonders & attractions

Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda

Hides

Is there anything more thrilling? Observing wildlife just inches away, from the safety of our strategically placed hides.

Hides

Botswana, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Experiences Fat Bike Namibia Little Kulala

Wilderness e-bike

Is there any better way to explore the vast Sand Sea of the Namib Desert, than on an electric bike?

Desert e-biking

Namibia

Stargazing

Lie on a blanket, behold the beauty of your surrounds, and contemplate space and your place in it when you go stargazing.

Stargazing

Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

Helicopter safari

Soar above the lush and wildlife-rich Linyanti and Okavango Delta on a breath-taking helicopter safari.

Helicopter Safari

Botswana

TRAVEL WITH US

Journey with Wilderness

Browse through our tailor-made Kafue journeys that will take you on an adventure of a lifetime. Completely customisable, we can cater to your every need. Find inspiration or get in touch with our dedicated team of Travel Designers.

See all journeys

MAP

Explore camps in Kafue National Park

Our luxury safari camps, Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp, are situated in the north of Zambia’s thrillingly remote Kafue National Park. Zambia’s oldest and largest protected area, Kafue is an important refuge for endangered wildlife and rare bird species.

Go to Destination Map

FAQ

General

01

JOURNAL

Kafue featured stories

Read about Zambia’s wetland-adapted lions and what we do to conserve these extraordinary prides, marvel at award-winning photography and tune in to our on-the-ground updates on conservation in Kafue.

SEE ALL STORIES