Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is Zambia's oldest park and spreads over 22 400 sq kilometres and is one of the largest parks in Africa. As a result of its vast size Kafue remains largely undeveloped as a game viewing destination and in many respects is still an untouched wilderness. Each corner of this remote, wild and diverse park offers its own unique landscape - from the wetlands of the Busanga Plains in the north-west and the Nanzhila Plains in the far south. The emerald green Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue Rivers whose banks are lined by luxuriant riverine forest contribute to the great diversity of landscape and offers excellent fishing opportunities especially bream, barbel and fresh water pike.

Kafue sustains a great diversity of wildlife and exceptional variety of antelope. The Busanga Plains are a magnet for the swamp dwelling sitatunga as well as puku and thousands of red lechwe who wander in great herds over the golden plains. De Fassa waterbuck, oribi, duiker, Liechtenstein's hartebeest, roan, magnificent sables and zebra are easy to see. In turn large prides of lion, leopard and even cheetah (which are rare elsewhere in Zambia) are drawn to Busanga. There are a host of smaller carnivores from the side-striped jackal, civet, genet to various mongooses. Birdlife is equally abundant with over 450 species that includes many "specials" such as Ross's Turaco and Locust Finch.

In the south the Kafue runs into the Itezhi Tezhi Dam covering an area of 370 square kilometres. This vast inland sea is surrounded in parts by grassy plains, often 'mowed' by hippos. Rocky bays and stretches of submerged trees provide perfect perches for the many waterbirds inhabiting the area - fish eagles, cormorants, spoonbills and the stately Goliath heron. Elephant, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest frequent the dam. Itezhi is also an angling paradise and home to an annual fishing competition.