Kafue National Park – Bespoke Zambia Safari Itineraries

Kafue is the largest national park in Zambia and second-largest in all of Africa. It is a pristine wilderness with a wide variety of game and an astonishing 495+ species of birds on record.

A seasonal floodplain, Busanga is underwater from December-June and best explored by boat and mokoro. From July-October, game drives are on offer and hot air balloon flights are available in August and September. Direct daily flights from Lusaka connect the area with other components of a Zambia safari but a flight from Livingstone is also an option on certain days of the week.

A safari camp deck with chairs and lanterns overlooks open bushveld at dusk in Zambia.

A wild dog with large rounded ears stands alert in dry tawny grass in Kafue National Park.

Two hippos wade through a river in Kafue National Park.

Why visit Kafue National Park?

Though the entirety of the park is roughly the size of Massachusetts, the jewel of Kafue is undoubtedly the Busanga Plains up in the north. Spanning various lion pride territories, the Plains are said to provide some of the best lion viewing in Africa. The area also boasts large numbers of plains game like puku, red lechwe, hartebeest, oribi, buffalo, elephant and wildebeest. Cheetah and wild dog may also be seen, while a special treat is the ‘resident’ herd of rare roan antelope.

1
Though the entirety of the park is roughly the size of Massachusetts, the jewel of Kafue is undoubtedly the Busanga Plains up in the north. Spanning various lion pride territories, the Plains are said to provide some of the best lion viewing in Africa. The area also boasts large numbers of plains game like puku, red lechwe, hartebeest, oribi, buffalo, elephant and wildebeest. Cheetah and wild dog may also be seen, while a special treat is the ‘resident’ herd of rare roan antelope.
2
In the Central Kafue, boating and fishing on the Lufupa River can be enjoyed throughout the year as well as game drives and bush walks. Wildlife is varied and in high quantities here but more widely dispersed, meaning that game drives might feel disappointing for first time safari-goers. Ila Safari Lodge is reached by a 4-hour drive from Lusaka and is a luxurious entry to Central Kafue.
3
A 3-hour drive further north takes you to Musekese, a true gem for anyone looking for pure wilderness and charismatic guiding by the camp’s owners.

Interested in this?

Add to shortlist

Still exploring? Add this to your shortlist so you can easily find it again. When you’re ready, send us your shortlist so we can start organizing your trip.

Contact us

Want to find out more, or ready to start organizing your trip? Get in touch and we’ll take care of everything.

Other areas to explore

A visit to Kafue puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of Zambia.

Victoria Falls thunders into a deep gorge beneath a vivid rainbow arching through the mist.

Livingstone

A compact, energetic town on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi, Livingstone is the gateway to Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls

You don't just see Victoria Falls, you feel it. The roar, the spray, the hum underfoot. Extraordinary Journeys tailors your stay around your mood, contemplative or adrenaline-seeking.

Three African wild dogs stand alert in tall dry grass in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park.

Liuwa Plain National Park

Set in Zambia’s far western region, Liuwa Plain is a remote landscape characterized by seasonal flooding and abundant wildlife.

A campfire burns beside a simple wooden chair at a remote wilderness camp in North Luangwa.

North Luangwa National Park

North Luangwa National Park is Zambia's great secret—a vast, pristine wilderness that sees a fraction of the visitors that its more famous southern neighbor attracts.

Why book with Extraordinary Journeys?

We go deep

We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.

Sketch of a flashlight held in a person's hand.

We keep it honest

Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.

Sketch of an umbrella with decorative fringe.

We’ve got it covered

Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.

Sketch of a telescope pointed at the stars.

We know it’s personal

There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.