NORTHERN ZAMBIA

Northern Zambia comprises the Northern, Luapula and Muchinga Provinces. This is a large area bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Malawi. It is often reached by the Great North Road or T2, which commences at the Cairo Road-Great East Road junction in Lusaka and passes through towns like Kabwe, Serenje and Mpika before ending at Nakonde on the Tanzanian border. T2 is the Zambian section of the Tanzam Highway into Tanzania.

When looking at a map, northern Zambia can be said to be everything above the Pedicle, a part of the DRC that juts into Zambia and gives the country its distinctive ‘heart’ or ‘butterfly’ shape. Somewhat confusingly, North Luangwa National Park is not in the north but in the east.

LAKES AND WETLANDS

Northern Zambia is packed with incredible sites including Lake Tanganyika, Lake Mweru and Lake Bangweulu as well as the Chisimba Falls. Mweru was once a black rhino stronghold and consists of hilly miombo woodland and itigi-shumbu thicket. Bangweulu is now venerated as a sanctuary for shoebills and one of the best places in the world to see these enormous birds. You should also find black lechwe, an antelope species endemic to the area, which is studded with hardwood mukwa trees.

NATIONAL PARKS

Although much less visited by safari goers compared to the south, northern Zambia does have numerous national parks that are slowly increasing in popularity. Accommodation is generally comfortable but basic: everything you need without superfluous frills. There are a handful of lodges and campsites, some of which are still seasonal. Because accommodation options are more limited, be sure to book your place well in advance. Certain sections of Lake Tanganyika have beach ‘resorts’ especially around the shoreline town of Samfya.

The major national park is Kasanka, famous for its November migration of millions of straw-coloured fruit bats. Visitors clamber onto wooden platforms at sunset and sunrise to see the bats departing for a night of feasting, returning in the morning to roost for the day. It is also worth keeping an eye out for shy sitatunga antelope that live in the wetland areas of Kasanka. Birders should also be on the lookout for Pel’s fishing owl and possibly a shoebill or two.

Nsumbu National Park is home to three bays: Nkamba, Kasaba and Ndole. As well as seldom-seen sitatunga, the park is known for a good puku population.

Lusenga Plains National Park is predicated on the Kalungwishi River and three waterfalls: the Lumangwe, Kabwelume and Kundabwika.

Isangano National Park comprises mostly miombo woodland and is known for the Luabansenshi River.

MORE INFORMATION

WHEN TO VISIT

In keeping with the rest of Zambia, the wet summer runs from about November to around April but can shift with early or late rains. Because of the many lakes, wetlands and rives in the north, seasonal flooding can occur in the early part of the year. As roads, bridges and even some formerly dry areas may become impassable, some accommodation is still highly seasonal and will close for periods between November and June.

GETTING THERE

Experienced 4×4 drivers can take T2 (Great North Road) and branch off to national parks and campsites on gravel or dirt roads of varying standards. There are limited seasonal flights to areas like the Bangweulu Wetlands that only operate when airstrips are also operational. These are generally pricy. There is limited

WILDLIFE

The north is known for the largest aerial mammal migration as millions of fruit bats pour into the Kasanka area in around November and December after the first summer rains trigger fruiting on trees. Look out too for endemic black lechwe as well as healthy numbers of puku.

BIRDS

Without a doubt, the north is a birder’s dream thanks to being a sanctuary for one of the biggest ticks of all: shoebills. Concerted conservation and education efforts are helping to save this rare and impressive bird. It is present year around and is best seen in the midyear dry season.