​Lower Zambezi National Park

Lower Zambezi National Park is a relatively untouched natural beauty. Its isolated location, coupled with the larger surrounding game management area, means you are unlikely to encounter another tourist whilst travelling around.

The large mammals in the park gather on the floodplain, including the Cape buffalo, a large elephant population, lion, leopard, many antelope species, crocodile and hippopotamus. An impressive array of birdlife can be found along the riverbanks. Fish and black eagles, various bee eaters, hornbills, parrots and lovebirds are a small selection.

This park lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the Zambezi River is a massive wildlife habitat largely undeveloped and beautiful in its wild self. The River banks are overhanging with thick ebony and fig trees. Further inland is a floodplain fringed with mopane forest and interspersed with winterthorn trees and huge acacias.

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 elephant, 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 is host to many of the bigger mammals, elephant, buffalo, hippo, waterbuck, kudu, zebra, and crocodiles, and occasionally, roan, eland and the Samango monkey. Nocturnal animals here are hyaena, porcupine, civet, genet and honeybadger.

The birdlife along the riverbanks is exceptional. Zambia’s national emblem the African Fish Eagle can be heard for miles around. Nesting along the cliffs and rivers are bee eaters, the red-winged pratincole, the elegant crested guinea fowl, black eagle, and vast swarms of quelea. In summer the stunning narina trogon makes its home here. Other specialities are the trumpeter hornbill, Meyers parrot and Lilian’s lovebird making this a ‘must visit’ park for all that want to experience Zambia’s staggering array of wildlife