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|  KAFUE NATIONAL PARK
Found in the central-western region of Zambia, the Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest of Zambia's national parks covering a massive 22500 Km Sq.
First established as national Park in the 50's by the legendary Norman Carr, The Kafue is one of the largest national parks in the whole of Africa and remains largely un explored. 
The Kafue holds possibly the greatest diversity of wildlife of any national park in Africa, and in recent years the Kafue has seen a small and well managed growth in the number of Safari camps & Lodges that operate in the Park, this new interest has brought with it more visitors and investment. Importantly the wildlife now enjoys an increased level of protection from the Zambian wildlife authorities (ZAWA) and the conscientious efforts of the Safari camps & lodges that operate in the national park.
Ecology The dominant ecological make up of the the Kafue is "Miombo Woodland" a semi-continuous tree cover dominated by small trees of the Brachystegia and Julbernardia family with a grassy undergrowth. Bush fires which can occur in the dry season cause these trees to develop a fire-resistant bark.
Less common is Mopane woodland, in these areas mighty Baobab also grow. Throughout the park and especially where tree lines occur are areas dotted with thousands of small termite mounds many rubbed smooth by generations of warthogs and all making ideal perches for Chats and Thrushes. Some termite mounds are enormous, having developed over hundreds or thousands of years in to small hills often topped with Euphorbia Candelabra and Jackleberry trees.
The bush is interspersed with clearings formed by old river channels oxbows which are known as "Dambos'" with near constant water these areas provide lush grazing even in the dry season attracting wide variety of antelope species. The Kafue is dissected roughly North to South by the broad slow flowing Kafue River which is fed by seasonal streams that flow from the emptying plains. Often these stream gully's have steep sandy banks which provide nest sites for bee eaters and day time cover for diminutive creatures like Duiker. The larger tributaries are the Lufupa and Lunga rivers.
The Busanga Plains found in the north / north west are regarded as the jewel in the crown of this beautiful park. Busanga is a vast flood plain which for much of the year is submerged below seasonal flood waters which generate vast areas of grazing for the huge herds of Buffalo which can be found here, great flocks of Open Billed storks can be seen spiraling in the thermals over the plains rising and falling to the lagoons where they feed on snails and invertebrates in the shallows. Crowned cranes and rare Wattled cranes search amongst the grass for insects and beetles .
The Plains are well known for Lions and the Busanga prides are well known to the expert guides from the few safari camps that operate in this remote area. A must see for any safari to the Kafue in the dry season. WIlderness Safaris offer balloon trips at certain times of the year.
In the south the Kafue runs into the Itezhi Tezhi Dam covering an area of 370 square kilometres. This vast inland sea is surrounded in parts by grassy plains, often ‘mowed’ by hippos. Rocky bays and stretches of submerged trees provide perfect perches for the many waterbirds inhabiting the area - fish eagles, cormorants, spoonbills and the stately goliath Heron. Elephant. buffalo, zebra and wildebeest frequent the dam. Itezhi is also an angling paradise and home to an annual fishing competition. 
Wildlife A number of rare antelope are regarded as common place and key predators such as Lion and wild dogs are increasingly seen. The Kafue is regarded as one of the best places in Africa to encounter Leopards, seen frequently especially on night drives and it is not unusual to follow a Leopard at a respectful distance as it stalks a Bush buck or as it lays in wait for an Impala to stray close enough to make a kill.
It is also possible to encounter Cheetah at any time and they often seen in the central Kafue areas and in the South on the Nanzhilla Plains and on the northern Busanga plains.
Across the Kafue Wild dogs appear to be on the increase recovering from low numbers in the last decade. This very mobile animal is difficult to track but visitors have enjoyed many more sightings in the last few years which is wonderful for guests and guides alike.
The Kafue is home to many interesting and rare antelope species including Red Lechwe, Liechtenstein's Hartebeest, Roan, Sable and Puku , Blue Wildebeest, Sitatunga, Defassa Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Eland and several species of diminutive Duiker.
The Rivers are a magnet for wildlife of every possible kind and there are lot of Hippos in the shallow wide rivers. Magnificent Elephants are frequently seen especially mature confident bulls who visit some camps.
 The Kafue Elephants had a hard time from poachers in the 80s and 90s and although this problem is now very well under control, the breeding herds of females and young are quite nervous, a patient approach to elephant encounters especially on the Busanga Plains has led to Elephants being more relaxed and visible. In addition, there is a plethora of other unusual wildlife with Pangolin, Bushpig and Aardvark . Many more small animals feature in the Park common sightings include : Banded, Slender, Water & White tailed Mongoose. Genet, Civet cats, Lesser & Thick tailed bush baby's, Spring hare , Duiker (including Blue species), Grysbok, Clawless Otter, Honey badger.
Crocodiles are found basking in the sun on the banks, as are water Monitors and any number of birds.
Birds:  More than 470 species of birds have been recorded in the Kafue, obviously too many to recite here, but notable species include; Pel's Fishing Owl, African Fin-foot, Wattled Crane, Southern Crowned Crane, Fulleborns Longclaw, Chaplin’s Barbet, Spoonbill, Bocage's Akalat, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Blackbreasted Snake Eagle, Goliath Heron, Bohms bee-eaters, to name but a few.
During the day Fish eagles call from the river, and King fishers dart about often seen in camps are Paradise Fly Catchers, Blue Cardinals, Fire Finches tiny Sunbirds. Amongst the woodlands and riverine Forest marshal eagles glide over the tree tops there presence often first revealed by the Gray Lourie with their familiar “go away” call. The plains are a magnet to birds Armadas of Pelicans come together in rows as they herd fish in to the shallows during the dry session feeding. Pratincoles fly low in open areas and at night spotlights show up Dikkops and churring Nightjars .
When to visit? The dry season runs from June to October. Some parts of the park can be inaccessible at any time from November - April. The dry season enables easier driving and game is easier to see. At around 4000ft temperatures are mild compared to the Lower Zambezi and Luangwa valleys.T he park can be very different at different times of year. The wet season from November to May is particularly difficult to get around in due to the heavy black cotton soil, which turns to sticky clay. But to be able to see the plains flooded, and the wildlife it attracts is a spectacle well worth the visit and can be achieved with the help of light aircraft servicing some of the permanent camps in the northern Kafue. After the rains everything is awash with beautiful green and lush vegetation. A few camps stay open all year. The ones closest to the Main dissecting road through the park, can be accessed in 2 wheel drive or 4 x 4 without problems. The loop roads in the park are less but the animals migrate to these higher areas so the game viewing can be excellent. The road up towards Lufupa gets closed as it has a notorious amount of black cotton soil and anyone stuck would be in extreme difficulty. The road to Chunga stays open (puddles and 4 x 4 recommended) – the road to the old Pontoon stays open, the tar road has good viewing also. This is a 17 km road - it also depends on how much rain there has been. Boat trips on the Kafue are excellent and walking safaris are is still possible as the grass is not yet too high. You also have the advantage of the camps being quite a bit quieter so more attention for the guests! Birding is fantastic and the emerging vegetation is another source of investigation and delight! Many camps offer special reduced rates in the green season.
Getting there (updated July 2011) The Park is easy to access. The main roads are mostly good, but do seek local advice if you plan to drive by yourself. The park can be accessed by air charter and there are operational air strips at Ngoma, Lufupa, Puku Pan, Hippo Lodge and Misozhi. By Vehicle, Kafue can be reached from all four sides of the country but 4 x 4 vehicles are a must except for Mayukuyuku and Mukambi where 2 wheel drive is fine all year round) . - From Lusaka take the road to Mumbwa. If planning to visit the northern camps such as Hippo Camp or Mc Brides then go into Mumbwa town and take the left turn at the first roundabout and then a right turn almost immediately will put you on the northern road out of Mumbwa .
- To reach the southern section of the park, continue through Mumbwa on the main road. Sixty six kilometers from Mumbwa is a left turning to Itezhi Tezhi Dam and the southern lodges. This previously appalling, once tar road has recently been graded back to gravel and is a lot better although it still requires a strong vehicle.
- To reach the Busanga plains and nearby camps, take the M9 road that goes through the park until you reach the Kafue Hook Bridge, shortly after the bridge is a gate on the northern side. This leads to the Lufupa camps. The drive time from the bridge to the Plains is about 4 ˝ hours. One can access the plains alone but it’s very easy to get lost here, so seek local advice. There are no campsites in the Busanga plains area and there is no private camping allowed anywhere in the park – campers must stay in proper camps and campsites. Mayukuyulu is the closest but still 5 hours drive from the plains.
- From the west, take the Mongu-Lusaka road which dissects the park.
From the north, coming from the Copperbelt, take the road to Solwezi and then to Kasempa. (It may be useful to note there is a very good hospital at Kasempa). From here, a reasonable graded track for 98 kilometers will take you to the Lunga Pontoon. To reach the northern Kafue gate, take the left turning 16 km before the pontoon. This is only possible between June and November. From Livingstone travel to Kalomo on the road to Lusaka and turn left, shortly after this take a left turn towards Ndumdumwense gate at the southern edge of the park. This road has recently been graded and is easy to traverse with a 4 x 4 vehicle.
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