Southern Kafue

Lions, wild dogs and serval are some of the wildlife highlights of this area of Kafue National Park. Aardvark, eland and herds of elephants 100 or more strong are surely good reasons to spend some time on safari here. Bird life too is prolific with over 500 bird species as you would expect with such diversity of habitats.

First though on arrival into Livingstone you should explore Victoria Falls. With so many activities on offer and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park there is something here for everyone, even if you have visited previously. The national park is the only place to see rhinos in Zambia but usually it is the spectacular falls that are the draw, whether a trickle into an impressive canyon in the dry season or in full flood after the rains in the mountains far away.

Dundumwezi park gate is around 5 hours by road from Livingstone with breaks, but this is set to drop dramatically once the final section of road to the park is finished. Another hour or so deep into the park brings you to the small site of Nanzhila Plains Camp set under sausage trees.

Roan antelope, reedbuck, Defassa waterbuck, bushbuck, hartebeest, duiker, oribi, kudu, and impala are common around Nanzhila. Black-cheeked Lovebirds are endemic to this area and much sought after by bird watchers on safari as are Pel's Fishing Owl, Chaplin's Barbet that have been recorded here. Days will spent on game drives typically morning and evening although all-day drives are possible across almost 3,000 square kilometres of this wilderness that surround the camp. Bush walks will show you the many things you miss from a safari vehicle and may bring you close to large mammals too. Night drives are included too to maximise your safari experience.

Around 3 hours safari drive north across the park is Konkamoya. After gazing across the grasslands at Nanzhila to look out over Lake Itezhi Tezhi from Konkamoya is a real contrast and quite refreshing. With just 4 thatched tents you are assured this camp is personal and welcoming. Views from the elevated bar look out to an island and when the waters are low dead trees emerge and the gentle banks become grazing for puku and other species, often prey to the local lions. Konkamoya is also a good place to search for aardvark. Andrea who runs the camp is an evolutionary biologist and so you are sure to be fascinated by his stories from the bush. Similar activities are possible to those at Nanzhila but the setting is so very different and game drives day or night are often along the lakeshore where much activity occurs.

For those that like small wilderness camps the southern sector of Kafue is highly recommended and will not disappoint. More intrepid travellers can continue north through Kafue or combine with Zambia's other National Parks via Lusaka.