Kafue, Busanga & Liuwa

Kafue, Busanga and Liuwa are part of Zambia’s rich safari heritage.  Though perhaps not on the radar for first time visitors to Zambia, they often feature for return travellers thirsty for another trip to this amazing country.

There are certainly fewer visitors here and together with the diversity of both wildlife and landscape it makes it hugely attractive. Those wanting an authentic Africa experience, with a plethora of untouched wilderness and wildlife should consider this part of Zambia.

• Kafue National Park: This enormous park is the size of Wales. It is Zambia’s largest park. Guests can expect diverse landscapes from swamps, plains, rivers, plains which provide a home for a plethora of wildlife.
• Busanga Plains:  Possibly the go-to area of Kafue for safari is Busanga Plains. It’s considered the best area for wildlife in the park. In the dry season (from about mid-July to October) Busanga Plains are reminiscent of the Serengeti. Cheetah, lion and other predators love this area. Buffalo and other big game pass through too. In the rainy season it becomes a giant wetland with superb birding, red lechwe and sitatunga. You can opt for a balloon safari and survey this vast wilderness from the air.
• Nanzhila Plains: The open grasslands of Nanzhila Plains in the south of Kafue are loved by elephants, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Though wildlife viewing can be harder here than in the north you are unlikely to see many other visitors.
• Liuwa Plains National Park:  ‘Remote Africa’ sums this park up to a tee. Neglected for many years, but now under the stewardship of African Parks, Liuwa Plains is coming into its own. Quite rightly it is THE sought-after destination in Zambia for those wanting off-the-beaten-track Africa, but a visit comes with a very hefty price tag. One of the main attractions is the migration which begins at the beginning of the wet season. Thousands of wildebeest, zebra and other usual suspects gather to enjoy the juicy fresh grass. Whilst this may not quite be on the scale of the Serengeti’s migration, the difference is you won’t see scores of other vehicles. The very best time to come here is just after the first rains around November. Otherwise, try at the end of the wet season around May and June.