Kafue is Zambia’s largest national park, covering 22500 sq km, roughly the size of Wales. Ranging from open plains in the north-west to thick bush and woodland in the south, the park has a wide range of wildlife, including lion, leopard, cheetah, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, puku, waterbuck, zebra and buffalo, as well as many smaller species. There are also over 400 species of birds.
The Busanga plains in the north are a giant wetland in the rainy season, with hippo plentiful in the rivers, and are home to aquatic antelope such as the red lechwe and the rare sitatunga. Relatively large herds of roan and sable are also found. The most numerous antelope in the north is the puku.
In the south are the Nanzhila Plains. Termite mounds stud the open grassland and there are forests of teak and candelabra trees. Elephant, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest are common as well as yellow-backed duiker, common duiker, kudu, grysbok, warthog, bushpig, serval, hyena, jackal, baboon, vervet monkey, porcupine, civet, genet and many species of mongoose.