There is something magical about this park, so much so that I wish it had a more alluring name.
But rest assured, this is one of the top wildlife parks in all of Africa. A short flight from Lusaka, the capital of Zambia and your most likely entry point, you will quickly discover the escarpment on the northern side of the park as you fly over the terrain. It acts as a natural barrier keeping a vast quantity of large game between it and the mighty Zambezi River. Traveling between Lower Zambezi Camps via boat on the Zambezi River (Jason Maynard)
The park is larger than the state of Rhode Island, but with GMAs (Game Management Areas) on either side of the official boundaries of the national park, the wildlife have a massive safe area to congregate. Activities in Lower Zambezi National Park include the traditional game drive; canoeing either on the Zambezi River itself or along one of the channels flowing around larger islands in the river; walking safaris or bush walks; spotlight game drives at night; and boating and fishing on the river. Canoeing the Discovery Channel of the Zambezi River (Jason Maynard)
The park has large herds of elephants and cape buffalo, alongside massive amounts of antelope such as puku, waterbuck, and impala. Lions, leopards, and wild dogs are the big predators. African Wild Dog with impala kill in Lower Zambezi National Park (Jason Maynard)
And over 400 species of birds can be found in the park. Southern Carmine Bee-eater (with its lunch) in Lower Zambezi National Park (Jason Maynard)
On my last visit to the park, I had the opportunity to stay at two different bush camps. A bush camp is usually not a permanent camp, but one that is only open during the prime game-viewing season (here, we are talking about May to early November). Bush camps lack certain amenities (you won’t find a swimming pool) but their location is key—they are generally located in some of the best game-viewing areas within the park. Kutali Camp tent along the Zambezi River (Jason Maynard)
As an example, let me tell you about one evening during my stay at Chula Island Camp. I had gone on an afternoon canoeing trip along the Discovery Channel where I slid past many, many hippos, a few crocodiles, and was able to see some nice animals along the bank: bull elephants and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, among others. A bloat of hippos (Jason Maynard)Very Young Elephant in Lower Zambezi National Park (Jason Maynard)
After a sundowner, we loaded up to drive back towards camp. One of the guides using a spotlight saw a leopard and we stopped to observe as it searched for prey. Then a lioness comes from behind our vehicle, as she was keeping an eye out on the hunting leopard, probably hoping to steal a meal if the leopard got lucky.
We left them to continue on towards camp. Almost home, we spot another leopard with the light. It was creeping up on a large herd of impala. We shut down to watch but the leopard decides to take their time. After 20 minutes, our guide suggests we go on into camp for dinner; if the leopard is successful, we will probably hear it—camp was iust 100 meters from the impala herd!
While staying at Kutali Bush Camp, a hippo was grazing past my tent when I woke up. An elephant was in the camp that afternoon. And since we were in the heart of their territory, I was able to witness a pack of African wild dogs devour an impala. African Wild Dogs play Lady & the Tramp with impala leftovers (Jason Maynard)
So put Lower Zambezi National Park on your bucket list, try and stay at a bush camp like Kutali or Chula Island, and enjoy all that they have to offer. You won’t regret it.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
