Neighboring the famous Mana Pool National Park of Zimbabwe, Lower Zambezi is a wide, vast wilderness that’s underdeveloped, but is lucky with quite a great opportunity to spot wildlife since it shares a wider wilderness combined. The diversity of animals is not as wide as the other big parks, but the opportunities to get close to the game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular.
Even though the Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4092 square kilometers, most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end which acts as a physical barrier to most of the Park’s animal species. Enormous herds of elephants, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river’s edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are common. The Park also hosts good populations of lion and leopard, and listens to the ubiquitous cry of the fish eagle.
What You Are Likely To See While In Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
There are a wide variety of wildlife and bird species you will be able to spot while on a holiday safari in Kafue National Park, Zambia.
- African wild dogs,
Also known as the painted wolves, are some of the major attractions in Lower Zambezi. Although they are declared endangered, the Wild dogs are in a small population around Africa. They are great hunters with a lot of aggressiveness, and they hunt in packs. - Majestic Lions,
Lower Zambezi is home to an impressive population of Lions. The wilderness has exposed them to be the real Kings of the Jungle. They are great hunters as well, hunting solo. Female lions tend to stay away from male lions, mostly with their cubs, or in groups of female lions. - Lean Leopards
Leopards are known to be very elusive and dangerous. Generally, they are amazing hunters, love to hunt solo, and keep their meals on trees. - Elephants
The gentle giants of Africa are an amazing wildlife species that are great to see and interact. They face extinction, and that’s a threat to their existence. The government of Zambia plays a great role in its protection. You will spot them in huge herds while grazing or at a water hole. - Buffalo
Buffaloes are part of the big five wildlife species. They live in herds, and old bulls are always isolated to live alone. Isolated bulls are prone to get hunted by the big cats, and also tend to very dangerous and aggressive when they sense danger. - HIPPO
The hippopotamus is one animal you won’t miss. As you enter the park, you will be able to spot several hippos lounging in the river below. Its quite a scenic experience to see them sunbathing in the morning and breathing underwater. - ZEBRA
Zebras can be seen running in small herds of about a dozen. The difference between Zambia’s zebras and those in the south and east of Africa is in the stripes. Here they are evenly spaced as opposed to broad light stripes with a faint shadow stripe in between. - ANTELOPE
The Park has 14 different antelope species, most of which are easily seen on game and night drives. Watch out for the elusive bushbuck, which prefers to inhabit densely covered areas. The most numerous antelope is the impala; these gregarious animals can be seen in herds all over the Park. Not to be confused with the puku, of similar size but a much fluffier buck with a rich orange coat, and also prolific. - KUDU
Perhaps the most beautiful is the Kudu, with its majestic spiral horns and delicate face. Although fairly common, they’re not always easy to find due to their retiring habits and preference for dense bush. Reedbuck, roan, sable, hartebeest, grysbok, klipspringer, and oribi are all here but not prolific in the central tourist area of the Park.
