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What is Zambia's largest national park?

When it comes to experiencing untamed African beauty, few places can rival Zambia - and at the heart of its wild charm lies Kafue National Park. As the oldest and largest national park in the country, Kafue offers a rare blend of raw wilderness, ecological diversity, and serene solitude. Stretching across three provinces, this park is a hidden treasure for safari lovers, nature photographers, and anyone seeking an authentic encounter with Africa's natural splendor.

Kafue National Park – The crown jewel of Zambia

Kafue is not only the largest national park in Zambia but also ranks among the biggest in Africa.. Covering an impressive 22,400 square kilometers, Kafue National Park spans across three provinces: Central, Southern, and Western Zambia. Established in the 1950s, Kafue is Zambia’s oldest national park and reflects the country’s long-standing commitment to wildlife conservation.

Diverse ecosystems and rich wildlife

Kafue enjoys the reputation of being an amazingly diverse region, due to its diverse ecosystems. These include:

  • Miombo woodlands
  • Floodplains
  • Savannah grasslands
  • Wetlands, especially the Busanga Plains in the north

This diverse landscape supports a rich array of wildlife. Visitors can expect to see:

  • Lions, leopards and cheetahs
  • Elephants and buffaloes
  • Sable antelopes, roan antelopes and hartebeests
  • Over 500 species of birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers

Note: Cheetahs, though present in parts of Kafue like the Busanga Plains, are less commonly sighted compared to lions and leopards

Tourism and conservation efforts

It might be huge but compared with other parks in Africa, Kafue becomes less of a tourist destination, and this makes the safari experience more intimate and far less crowded than in more commercialized parks. The collaboration of the Zambia government and conservation bodies such as the Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) has played a vital role not only in improving anti-poaching strategies, but also in enhancing the development of eco-tourism.

In fact, nowadays, there are a variety of eco-lodges and safari camps in the park especially in Busanga Plains and central Kafue region where wildlife observation is excellent, especially during the dry seasons (May to October).

Why Kafue matters

Kafue National Park is not only large, but it is an important environment for endangered species, source of livelihood for neighboring communities and a model of responsible tourism in Africa. Its enormity, remoteness and pristine splendor are a must-visit destination for adventurous travelers seeking to experience African wilderness in one of its most untouched and authentic forms.

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