Zambia’s third-largest park, Sioma Ngwezi National Park is a remote and seldom-visited wilderness area with practically no amenities and low wildlife densities. As long as your expectations aren’t too high, the park is worth a visit when staying in the area. Nearby attractions are the impressive Ngonye Falls and a beautiful stretch of the Zambezi River (popular for tiger fishing). Sioma Ngwezi forms part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), a vast international peace park that allows free movement of animals throughout.
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Best Time To Go
- May and June (Best wildlife viewing)
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High Season
- Never (The park is never busy)
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Size
- 5,000km² / 1,931mi²
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Altitude
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975-1,023m /3,199-3,356ft
Pros & Cons
- Off-the-beaten-track destination
- Easily visited en route to Liuwa Plain National Park
- Nearby attractions include Ngonye Falls and the Zambezi River
- Several nearby lodges, on the Zambezi, are set up for fishing
- Not much wildlife and animals are skittish
- Lack of permanent water makes animals move out in the Dry season
- Very little development in the park
Wildlife
There is a good variety of wildlife in Sioma Ngwezi. Most of the usual species are present (rhino is missing). Elephant numbers are high, and giraffes might be spotted too. Different habitats support herds of zebra, puku, impala, eland and tsessebe. Sought-after antelopes such as sable and roan are present too. The main predators are lion, leopard and spotted hyena but they are rarely encountered. Cheetah and wild dog might be present as well.
Scenery
Sioma Ngwezi’s main habitat is Kalahari woodland. The dry terrain is flat and forested with tracts of miombo and acacia woodland. There are areas of magnificent teak forest as well. The Kwando River forms the western boundary (also the border with Angola) but there are no other waterways in the park. Dambos (wetland pools) are the main source of water for animals.
Weather & Climate
The weather and climate of Sioma Ngwezi is comparable to that of Zambia in general. More info:
Best Time To Visit
Sioma Ngwezi has no permanent water sources and animals move out in the Dry season. The park is best visited in May and June, just after the Wet season, when there is still some water around. From December to April, the roads might become difficult to navigate.
Getting There
There is a good road from Livingstone to Sioma Ngwezi, but the sandy tracks in the park aren’t great, and a sturdy 4x4 is essential. If you want to visit the park independently, you should pick up a scout at the park’s office. Alternatively, you can try to book a trip with one of the lodges along the Zambezi near Ngonye Falls.
Health & Safety
Please read our ‘Malaria & Vaccinations – Zambia’ page and our general ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ for more info: