River Safari
Spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous birds from the Kafue River.
Explore Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, Kafue – a vast but little-visited wilderness. Venture deep into the wilds of this captivating park, spotting plains game, big cats and incredible numbers of birds. Finish with the majestic landscape of the Busanga Plains, where lion prides stalk rare red lechwe.
Often overlooked in favour of Zambia’s smaller parks, Kafue is a sleeping giant. This journey offers a chance to explore the depths of this fascinating park. Staying at select, small, beautifully positioned camps, discover the hidden treasures of Kafue. The Busanga Plains, with their rich predator population, are an undoubted highlight, but the quieter central and southern sectors of the park offer a very different – and arguably wilder – experience.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Busanga Plains
Admire the herds of antelopes and stalking lions on the floodplains of Busanga.
Kafue Birding
Home to over 500 bird species, including slaty egrets, wattled cranes, and Bohm’s bee-eater, which eat up to 300 bees daily.
African Wild Dogs
Track packs of endangered African wild dogs from Konkamoya Lodge.
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Day 1
Lusaka - Kafue National Park - KaingU Lodge
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Days 2
KaingU Lodge
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Days 3-5
KaingU Lodge - Konkamoya Lodge
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Day 6
Konkamoya Lodge - Shumba Camp
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Days 7-8
Shumba Camp
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Day 9
Shumba Camp - Kafue National Park - Lusaka
Day 1
Lusaka - Kafue National Park - KaingU Lodge
From Lusaka International Airport, take a 5.5-hour private transfer to KaingU Lodge on the eastern edge of Kafue National Park.
Days 2
KaingU Lodge
Enjoy a full day at KaingU Lodge, an intimate camp centered around a thatched boma. From the lodge, take guided game trips by vehicle, inflatable canoe, or on foot to spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants and numerous birds on the Kafue River and surrounding plains.
Days 3-5
KaingU Lodge - Konkamoya Lodge
Drive south, along the shores of the man-made Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, to the remote Konkamoya Lodge. Sitting on a promontory that juts out into the lake, it sits amongst mahogany and ebony trees, interspersed with gnarled baobabs. Track packs of endangered African wild dogs from the lodge.
Day 6
Konkamoya Lodge - Shumba Camp
Admire the herds of antelopes and stalking lions on the floodplains of Busanga at Shumba Camp, which sits upon a slightly raised island under a canopy of aged fig trees.
Days 7-8
Shumba Camp
Further exploration of the Busanga Plains, where more than 20 species of antelopes roam the floodplains, and leopard, hyena, cheetah and lion battle for prey. Night and day game drives, guided bush walks, boat trips and hot air ballooning (extra cost) are all possible from the camp.
Day 9
Shumba Camp - Kafue National Park - Lusaka
Transfer back to Lusaka International Airport for onward travel.
More Details
Central Kafue and the Kafue River
Begin on the eastern fringes of central Kafue, at the beautifully positioned KaingU Lodge. This small, traditional camp sits beside the swirling waters of the Kafue River, with the wild landscape of the park just a boat ride away. Explore the central portion of the park – carpeted with miombo woodland that is interspersed with rocky stream valleys and dry kopjes – on foot, by boat or in a 4×4. The waters of the river attract thirsty game, including leopards, elephants and hippos.
Southern Kafue and Lake Itezhi-Tezhi
To the south, some of the wildest, least explored areas of the park can be found. Explore this wilderness, where verdant thickets merge with recovering teak forests. Low granite hills disrupt the landscape, which eventually returns to grasslands, at the very southern tip of the park. The varied terrain attracts a diversity of wildlife. Spot lions and cheetahs stalking plains game, look out for leopards hiding amongst the rocks, watch herds of pukus flock to the lake and track packs of wild dogs as they hunt their prey.
Northern Kafue and the Busanga Plains
Finish with the park’s most iconic region, the Busanga Plains. These rich floodplains attract an incredible variety of wildlife. Take guided game drives, bush walks and boat trips through this area. Most – if not all – of the park’s 21 antelope species can be spotted here, including rare red lechwes. Consequently, numerous predators, including prides of lions, can be seen stalking this bountiful landscape. Take a hot air balloon ride (at an additional cost) and float silently over the green, watery landscape below; this airborne perspective offers unrivalled views of Kafue.
How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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KaingU Lodge and its associated KaingU Trust places community responsibility at the heart of its values. The trust supports local schools in rural communities by funding teachers’ salaries, constructing essential infrastructure such as boreholes and classroom blocks, and providing bursaries for students pursuing further education. Guest visits to nearby villages and schools offer firsthand insight into the challenges faced by these communities, often inspiring donations towards these vital projects.
Despite its prominent location, Zambia’s oldest and largest national park—Kafue National Park spanning 22,400 km2—is little known relative to many of Zambia’s smaller parks. In recent years, however, the park has seen well-managed growth in both the number of camps and visitors, prompting increased investment into the area’s infrastructure. The construction of well-graded roads and airstrips has improved access to the park, which in turn has channelled more funding into conservation efforts coordinated by the Zambian Wildlife Authority.
While staying at Konkamoya Lodge, take the opportunity to visit the release facility of the Game Rangers International Elephant Orphanage Project. Supported by the David Shepherd Foundation and working closely with the Department of National Parks & Wildlife, the project oversees the rescue, rehabilitation and reintroduction of orphaned elephants and other animals into the wild. Visitors can learn about the effects of poaching and human/wildlife conflict as well as the work being done to mitigate these impacts and made possible through funding generated by tourism.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
A note on price
Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.
This Itinerary
Price
From £7,900 Per person
When to travel
Zambia in January
There are three seasons in Zambia – the cool, dry winter season, the hot, dry summer season and the rainy season, which is in fact even hotter. It will depend on your activity preferences and the destinations in Zambia you are travelling to as to the best time to visit the country.
Zambia in February
Similarly to January, February will experience heavy rainfall throughout the country. Some destinations and accommodation will be open to a variety of outdoor activities, but it should be noted that the majority will remain closed.
Zambia in March
Throughout the winter months, it can be a perfect opportunity for bird watching although some wildlife may be more difficult to spot with the thick vegetation flourishing after the rainy months. You can expect temperatures of 23°C with heavier rainfall at the start of the month.
Zambia in April
As the rainy season comes to an end, both April and May are the best months to visit Victoria Falls, where temperatures are marginally cooler, averaging 21°C and there is less rainfall than previous months.
Zambia in May
Zambia will experience the cool, dry winter season from May until September making it the best time to travel to Zambia as the wildlife is in abundance. Temperatures are pleasant at the beginning and end of this season and there is considerably less rainfall.
Zambia in June
For the best game viewing in Zambia, it is suggested to travel from June to October although safaris are an all-year-round activity. In June temperatures will average 25°C during the daytime and remain cooler through the evening.
Zambia in July
July is one of the peak months to travel to Zambia as temperatures range from 22°C to highs of 30°C. Zambia will experience the least rainfall during July and all accommodation and destinations throughout the country will be fully open, with opportunities to partake in all the activities.
Zambia in August
From June to September, Zambia will experience its peak season as it can be one of the best times to visit the country when both travelling for the wildlife viewings and to see Victoria Falls. It is a popular time to travel to Zambia and so accommodation should be booked well in advance.
Zambia in September
During the month of September, temperatures will begin to rise and can reach highs of 28°C in certain regions of the country. Like July and August, September can be an ideal month for safaris in Zambia, with higher chances of regular wildlife viewings on game drives.
Zambia in October
During the months of October and November, Zambia will experience the hot, dry season, particularly in the river valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa where it will become very hot. Game drives during the day can sometimes become uncomfortable due to the humidity and high temperatures.
Zambia in November
As the dry season comes to an end in the months of October and November, water levels are low and so can be an ideal time to visit Zambia to see the magnificent rock formations yet not the most ideal time to visit Victoria Falls, which is better viewed in April and May.
Zambia in December
From the month of December until April, Zambia experiences the rainy season, which is in fact much hotter than the summer months of October and November. Temperatures can rise to highs of 28°C in December and as rainfall becomes more regular, Zambia will start to experience the lush, green vegetation – harder for spotting wildlife!
Holiday Inspiration
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