Lower Zambezi

Lower Zambezi, Zambia; an Expert Safari Guide to the National Park

The Lower Zambezi is Zambia’s newest park and duly refreshingly undeveloped. Located opposite Mana Pools (the Zimbabwean Park on other side of the Zambezi) the park stretches down the Zambezi for 120km, trapped between a huge escarpment to the North and the Zambezi itself to the South. It is without doubt one of Africa’s most attractive parks.

Covering an area of approximately 5000 sq kilometres, the park is relatively small but the habitat is diverse with the escarpment home to thick bush, the valley floor home to acacia and mopane woodland and the river itself lined by indigenous riverine trees and dotted by game rich islands.

Lower Zambezi - The Wildlife

Much of the escarpment is within the parks boundaries, acting as a natural buffer zone to the game in the park. The result is that the highest concentration of game is found on the valley floor, in a long but very narrow stretch of land trapped between the escarpment and the Zambezi.

Good herds of elephants and buffalo are the big mammals in the area, often crossing the full width of the Zambezi – it is not uncommon to see large herds on the riverbanks. Rhino, as with the population of many of Zambia’s parks were hunted so severely that none remain. Plentiful hippos and huge crocodiles line the river and the floodplains are home to large numbers of warthogs, impala and other antelope such as kudu, waterbuck, bushbuck and zebra. There are approximately 350 species of bird in the valley.

Lower Zambezi - The Predators

Lion and leopard are the main cats in the park; both are found in good numbers. There have been no recent sightings of cheetah although they do exist in the Park but good numbers of hyena are present as well as side striped jackals. Wild dog numbers seem to fluctuate hugely, currently few can be found but they seem to appear again when all hope gets lost. Perhaps this is due to their huge ranges and that much of the park is fairly inaccessible due to the escarpment.

Lower Zambezi - For the Connoisseur

Apart from the wild-dog and the Tiger fish, the prize game in the Lower Zambezi is the Cape Clawless Otter (very rarely sighted), aardvark, serval, African wildcat, thick-tailed bushbaby (galago) and the massive water monitor lizards. A couple of rather massive crocs too! Keen birders should keep a look out for the gorgeous Narina trogon, Pels fishing owl, colonies of carmine bee-eaters (Sept-Nov only), the thick billed cuckoo and the amazingly diverse population of herons, egrets and storks.

Lower Zambezi - Our overall view

When your plane flies over the escarpment to reveal a strip of land effectively cut off by the Zambezi, you cannot help but be in awe; this is a truly beautiful park. What we really love about the place, apart from its sheer beauty is that there is hardly anyone here. The result is what Zambia is so famous for; exclusivity. Packed with game and with the added bonus of game viewing by boat, walking safaris up the escarpment (cracking views), night drives, Zambezi canoeing and some of the best tiger fish fishing in the world, this park is an absolute must for any safari enthusiast….or in fact for someone who has never been to Africa before- as you have probably guessed, we absolutely love it!

Lower Zambezi - Further information

For details of all the lodges in the Lower Zambezi please look at Lower Zambezi Lodge Page

For General safari information please look at Zambia Safari Page

Phone us to discuss with one of our consultants their last trip to the Zambezi Valley. Even better, come in in person. Tel 44 (0) 20 7471 8780 or Email Us