Lower Zambezi National Park

Zambia

Relatively undeveloped, the Lower Zambezi National Park’s rugged beauty will appeal to those with a sense of adventure. It’s located on the Zambezi River, opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park; both parks are part of the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools TFCA (Transfrontier Conservation Area) which forms a large protected area in the Zambezi Valley where game can roam freely.

Formerly the property of Zambia’s president, the area was declared a national park in 1983. Regular patrols by the Department of National Parks has curbed (although not entirely contained) poaching and the game numbers have increased significantly.

Not available

ACCESSIBILITY:
The park is accessible by fly-in and self drive with a 4WD vehicle only as it can become inaccessible in wet weather. For fly-ins private charter planes will land at one of the four airfield within the park: the Royal airfield, Jeki airfield, Kulefu airfield and Kayila airfield. Prior arrangements should however be made. (Feb-2019).

There are flights between Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa. You could book a return flight to South Luangwa from Lower Zambezi, leaving your vehicle safely at Mvuu Lodge. This will mean organising your accommodation in South Luangwa and asking them to pick you up at Mfuwe airport. (2019).

ACCOMMODATION:
Various accommodation options in the park includes a bush camp, river camp, lodge, tented camp and island camp. Most lodges in Lower Zambezi National Park only operate seasonally. As a general rule lodges are open from mid March until mid November. Only Kasaka River Lodge is open year round. (Feb-2019).

Note that there are no self-drive campsites in the park. (2018).

EMERGENCY SERVICES:
Tow-in services: +27(0)97 473 7848 / +260(0)96 676 1647 (Based in Lusaka). (2019).

GAME VIEWING:
This is a beautiful park, but the game is limited. (2019).

FUEL:
There is no fuel in the park - the last fuel stop before the park is in Chirundu. (2019).

SEASONAL ACCESS:
This is a dry season only park although there are some lodges that remain open (I will confirm which ones) but they generally just do boating water based activities. There are no all weather roads and vast areas of black clay so getting well and truly stuck in the wet season is guaranteed.
Fishing September/October. In recent years a fishing ban has been instituted, no fishing from 1st December to 1st March.

SERVICES & SHOPS:
There are no shops, services or facilities in this park. (2019).

TRAVELLER FEEDBACK:
Lower Zambezi is good park to visit, but there are more and more operators there, although the park itself still has a wilderness feel. (2019).

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