Found in the centre of western Zambia, Kafue is the oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks. It covers a massive 22 400 km² / 8 650 mi². Founded in the 1920s and formally established as a national park in the 1950s by the legendary Norman Carr, Kafue is one of the largest reserves in the whole of Africa. Despite its size and prominent location only two hours’ drive from Livingstone, it remains little-known and largely unexplored with vast tracts of its virgin bush still untouched. Thanks to its size and variety of habitats, Kafue holds a fantastic diversity of wildlife.

In recent years it has seen a well-managed growth in the number of safari camps and lodges that operate in and around the park. This interest has brought with it more visitors and investment to the area, notably in infrastructure with a number of well-graded roads and airstrips.

As a consequence of the increasing interest and benefits in terms of investment this brings, the wildlife is beginning to enjoy an increased level of protection by the Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), always aided and supported by the operators in and adjoining the park.

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USEFUL FACTS

Co-ordinates: -14.386797,26.152954

Area: 22 400km² / 13 900mi²

Founded in: 1924

Provinces: North-Western, Central and Southern Zambia

WHEN TO VISIT

Temperature-wise, Kafue is mild due to its altitude, averaging 1 100m / 3 600ft above sea level. It is generally cooler compared to the Luangwa or Zambezi valleys in October and November and, in fact, Kafue reaches 0°C / 32°F in winter (June to August) in some areas.

The park is well serviced by a number of all-year airstrips, notably at Chunga, Ngoma and Lufupa that enable tourists to make the most of the park in any of its ever-changing seasons.

The dry season runs from June to October, with most of the park being inaccessible during the wetter months of November through to April. Inaccessibility, however, need not be a deterrent to those wanting to visit Kafue in the ‘green’ season as it is a spectacular time of year and the lush greenery is something really to behold. The trick is visiting the camps that do stay open for 12 months (or as close as possible to) in the central and northern sections of the park.

It is possible to reach the Itezhi-Tezhi Dam all year round, too. The dry season does, however, enable better driving and game is generally easier to view in the drier months.

The Busanga Plains area is still strictly only accessible from early July (depending on water levels) until early November. This area is a floodplain and unless you enjoy swimming with crocs and hippos then unfortunately you must visit in these months! There is an airstrip at Busanga that facilitates access to the camps, some of which don’t operate in the green season.

Boat cruises are available from most of the river-based camps and lodges and are available all year around, although water levels do change dramatically through the year. Fishing is possible at selected spots only and there are restrictions on the number you catch and keep for the pot. There is a strict off-season to allow spawning and breeding without disturbance (between November and March).

Canoeing trips are also available, notably at Kaingu.

GETTING THERE: DIRECTIONS FOR SELF-DRIVERS

Kafue is bisected by the main M9 or Mongu Road. This is tarred and allows for easy access, even by 2-wheel drive vehicles. The drive can take three to four hours to reach the Hook Bridge. Do NOT attempt to drive the relatively extensive internal road and game drive network in a 2-wheel drive vehicle: 4×4s are a must. Do NOT even attempt self-driving in the park in the wet months as the black-cotton soil is notorious and plentiful. It is very thick and ‘sticky’ and there is an extremely high chance that you will be stranded.

Notable roads to avoid from November to June are the road from Hook Bridge to Lufupa and further north to Moshi, Kabanga and Busanga. In the south of the park, heading south from Ngoma and Itezhi-Tezhi towards Dundumwezi and Nanzhila is not advisable when wet and needs local knowledge. The road to Chunga from the M9 is well graded and generally accessible 12 months of the year.

The park can also be accessed from the tourist hub of Livingstone in the south, again on a well-graded road, reaching Dundumwezi Gate after three or so hours. Kafue is also accessible by plane, with many airstrips, some all-weather, such as Ngoma, Chunga and Lufupa.

From Lusaka – Take the main M9 tar road due west to Mumbwa. If you plan to visit the north-eastern camps, then go into Mumbwa town (124km / 77mi from Lusaka) and take the left turn at the roundabout by the filling station. Continue on this road out of Mumbwa on the D181 gravel/graded road to your destination.

To reach the central and southern sectors using the Spinal Road – After passing the turn off for Mumbwa, stay on the main M9 road, heading west for 38km / 24mi to the Nalusanga Entrance Gate. Continue on the M9 for another 80km / 50mi, drive over Hook Bridge and, after a further 7km / 4mi,  turn left on to the 21K road (ignore the 17km road turn-off). The Spinal Road is reached 14km / 9mi south of the 21k road and continues to Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, a further 130km / 81mi away. This is a good road and driveable year-round. Seasonal river crossings can flood from time to time in the wet season.

To reach the southern section of Kafue – After passing the turn-off for Mumbwa, stay on the main M9 road, heading west for 66km / 41mi from Mumbwa. You pass the Nalusanga Entrance Gate to the park. Approximately 20km / 12mi later is a left turn for Itezhi-Tezhi town and the dam. Following the Itezhi-Tezhi D769 road allows access to Puku Pan and the various lodges on the lake itself. This road requires a good strong vehicle as it is long and bumpy.

To reach the Busanga Plains – Driving from the Hook Bridge Gate will take you approximately five to six hours: this road is only accessible when dry. When reaching the Busanga Plain be advised that it is easy to get lost.

From the west – Take the Mongu to Lusaka tar road (M9). The entrance is at Tateyoyo Gate.

From the north (Copperbelt area) – Take the road from Solwezi and then to Kasempa (note there is a good hospital at Kasempa). From Kasempa follow the graded gravel D181 Kaoma Road and branch off it to reach the Kabanga Entrance Gate. To reach the Kabulushi Gate, take the left fork off the Kaoma Road onto the D301 towards Mumbwa and follow this road to the Lunga River pontoon (approximately 98km / 61mi). Then drives onwards until the Lubungu River pontoon. After crossing it and another 86km / 53mi you reach Kabalushi Gate. As always, local advice at the time of travel is essential.

From Livingstone – Travel 124km / 77mi to Kalomo on the T1 that heads to Lusaka. At Kalomo, turn left through the open-air market, taking the D714 graded road for 74 km / 46mi to the southern Dundumwezi Entrance Gate. This gate leads to Ngoma and Lake Itezhi-Tezhi further north.