Dry season is proving productive in Kafue National Park with plenty of new arrivals and exciting sightings. First on the list is a herd of 400 Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) that were released around Lake Itezhi-Tezhi. Kafue lechwe are a sub-species of the more common southern lechwe and are endemic to the Kafue Flats. They are listed as vulnerable after a huge decline from around 80 000 in the 1970s to about 23 000 today, according to the Endangered Wildlife Trust. The new inhabitants should help achieve genetic mingling and hopefully bolster numbers further.

Another welcoming celebration was for two elephants translocated from the nursery at Lusaka National Park after it was decided that they were old enough to survive in the wild. It will be interesting to see if they are accepted into the Chamilandu herd that roams the north of the park.

As if that isn’t enough, cheetah and wild dog have been spotted more and more often on the Busanga Plains, while a collared female cheetah in the central region of the park has been exhibiting denning behaviour so let’s all hold thumbs for healthy and thriving cheetah cubs soon.

Proflight Zambia’s new link between Lusaka and the Changa Airstrip makes it easier and more convenient to visit Kafue than ever before. Choose from rustic campsites to luxury lodges when considering Kafue safari accommodation.

PHOTO Chisa Busanga