Lower Zambezi National Park

THE most beautiful place in Africa.

Since visiting this park all future parks visited are compared to this absolutely magnificent place.Stunning scenery that leaves you humbled and misty eyed.Great accommodation options,fantastic guides,easy access from Lusaka,and such a large choice of activities from walking to game drives,fishing, canoeing and motorboat safaris. There is certainly nothing ho hum about this little Eden.God was smiling the day he created this place.

The Lower Zambezi National Park adds the Zambezi River as another element to safaris. One day was spent floating down a side channel of the river in canoes, bringing a new perspective to seeing hippos in the water and crocodiles on the banks. Others fished for the noted tiger fish. Lunch was taken on boats on the river one day and we had our sundowner one the evening on the river.

The world I live in got turned off and I experienced the world.

My family and I stayed with Tusk and Mane Safaris.
The Lower Zambezi National Park, with the company, offered no Wi-fi, no internet, no phone signal and solar power only.
It re-booted our world.
530am wake up. We were busy dawn ‘til dusk. The bush noises over night and the sound of hippos echoing of the Zambezi serenaded a deep sleep; the stars were the last thing you see before rest.
A Lion call in the night is fabulous to rouse to; beats the neighbour’s car alarm.
We are saving to go again.
Photos- Flickr Simon Ruffle (Nhsfatcat)

A pleasant and extremely positive surprise!

Lower Zambezi was a really pleasant experience! The only negative thing is that arriving there is quite complicate, but when you arribe, I have to admit that is worthwhile. Maybe the variety of wildlife is not that great (you mainly see hippos, elephants, buffaloes and crocodiles) but the scenery is just astonishing. I really recommend making a boat safari through the river, as you can interact from close distances with hippos and crocs, and you can see many details of their behaviour that you wouldn't be able to see if you did a normal game drive. if you are lucky you might see lions (I was lucky) and even leopards. Also good chances of spotting monitor lizard.

PD: If you self drive, do not take Leopard Hills as a road to arribe there as it is extremely dangerous.

Loved the canoeing down the canals with the hippos. Loved fishing and releasing Tiger fish. Such a nice end to trip staying and playing on the mighty Zambezi River.

True african feeling

In June we had a fantastic experience in Mvuu lodge in one of the Game Management Areas (GMA) of Lower Zambezi National Park. As with most lodges this one is located at the bank of the Zambezi river. The proximity to the National Park itself is probably the reason why so many elephants visit the camp. The dry river that forms the eastern boundary of the camp is used by a herd of elephants multiple times per day to wander from their grazing areas to the Zambezi to drink. They actually walked along our fireplace at less than 5 metres frequently. Sometimes they get into the camp. At night the grassy areas of the camp are visited by Hippo's that eat the grass. Velvet monkeys and baboons are also present.

The lodge is well maintained, the camping places (8) are a good budget option, each place having their own open-aired toilet / shower. A caretaker helps you to keep the fire going. The restaurant / bar area is beautifully constructed and blends with the surroundings very well. Natural materials are used, which make it stand out from some of the other lodges we saw from the river. Views over the river from the terrace are splendid. Binoculars, books on animals, birds and regional information are freely available. Food is somewhat expensive (bring your own if on a budget), basic but tasteful and good portions. Since the nearest proper town (Chirundu) is 2.5 hours drive away everything has to be brought in. Various activities can be organised: fishing trips, canoe, guided game viewing from river or from your own car, etc. People are friendly and helpful.

For the two days we were there, there was enough to do in the GMA and on the river, although the west boundary of the National Park (Chongwe river) looked very promising with regards to wildlife (different types of antilopes, crocs, hippo's, warthogs, all kinds of birds, elephants, etc) and was very, very scenic. Next time we would definitely go back there for a longer period. We would take some time inside the park as well. We would probably bring some of our own food.

Be sure to fill your petrol tank before heading there. There is no petrol station between the camp / Chirundu (Zim border) and Kafue village (1 hr from Lusaka). You definitely need a high clearance Vehicle. We did not need the 4x4 on ours but I would not feel safe without. The dry river crossings were sometimes sandy and steep. In the rainy season I doubt whether you can get there by road.

Lower Zambezi is of stunning beauty, and the wildlife superb. The accessible safari area is pretty small, but with only 7 or 8 (very exclusive) camps never crowded. For a self-drive it is difficult to get to, with no facilities inside the park.

Too many tourists to my taste

Can only improve with time (review from 2004)

It's an adventure just getting to Lower Zambezi National Park. You must cross the Kafue River on a hand-winched punt and in some places the road and bridges are washed away (floods in 2003). A highlight was the community campsite just outside the park, which was in a wonderful location to relax on the banks of the Zambezi. It was wonderful watching the full moon rise over that great river with the hippos grusting nearby.The sunrise through the door of the tent, just meters above the river was great as well as was the visited by an inquisitive elephant, which Philip the campsite manager expertly dealt with when it got too close. To get into the Park you drive through a river, which can be tricky if the water is high. In 2004 the animals were quite wild and ran from cars on the west side of the park. Further in, near the more expensive lodges, it may not be the case, but it seemed that there must have been poaching going on. Over time hopefully things will improve and Lower Zambezi National Park will be more accessible. It would be great to visit again.

A lot of animals but quite difficult to see because of the vegetation.