Lower Zambezi National Park Overview
Lower Zambezi is thought to be one of Zambia’s most picturesque parks; its landscape leaving you speechless. Founded in 1983, the Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4,092 square kilometers on the north western banks of the Zambezi River. Prior to 1983, the area was a personal sanctuary to the Zambian president which protected it from excessive tourism exposure and maintained its pristine appeal.
The Zambezi riverside has a thick fringe of river vegetation which gives way to the floodplains and it is here where most of the wildlife is found on the valley floor and enclosed in the north by the escarpment.
Several smaller rivers flow through the park and across the floodplains are islands of Acacias and other large trees, flanked by a steep escarpment on the northern side, which is covered with thick Miombo woodland.
The park protects an area of unique biodiversity and the mesmerising flow of the Zambezi River as well as its sheer expanse can be overwhelming.
On the opposite bank of the Zambezi River, in neighboring Zimbabwe, is Mana Pools National Park, and together these to pristine parks constitute for one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas.
When To Travel
The Lower Zambezi has a hot tropical climate with a wet and dry season, and fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year. The dry season months of July through to October, before the first rains, are great for wildlife viewing as the vegetation is dry and sparse, and animals gather along the river for water. In the months of May through to August it does get quite cold at night and early mornings, so it is recommended to bring warm clothes for morning and late afternoon activities.
Getting There
Most visitors to the park do so via light aircraft charters or scheduled flights. Self-drives are possible but you will need a high clearance 4 x 4 vehicle, and should have 4 wheel drive experience.
Species
Wildlife
Whilst the variety of the wildlife is not as diverse as other parks, there are still healthy populations of several species and the Lower Zambezi National Park is renowned for its predator sightings, primarily leopard, hyena and large prides of lions. It should be noted that giraffe, rhino and cheetah are absent in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Birdlife
With over 350 recorded bird species, Lower Zambezi a birding hotspot. The park is particularly rich in resident and migrant water birds, which can be found on the sandbanks and along the rivers edge. The escarpment cliffs are a good place to look for raptors, including the impressive Verreaux’s eagle. One of Africa’s most sought-after birds, the Angola pitta, breeds here and can be found regularly during the wet season. Other specialties include the Trumpeter Hornbill, the Pennant-winged Nightjar, Osprey, the Palm-nut vulture, Pel’s fishing owl, and the collared Pratincole among others.
Lower Zambezi is thought to be one of Zambia’s most picturesque parks; its landscape leaving you speechless. Founded in 1983, the Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4,092 square kilometers on the north western banks of the Zambezi River. Prior to 1983, the area was a personal sanctuary to the Zambian president which protected it from excessive tourism exposure and maintained its pristine appeal.
The Zambezi riverside has a thick fringe of river vegetation which gives way to the floodplains and it is here where most of the wildlife is found on the valley floor and enclosed in the north by the escarpment.
Several smaller rivers flow through the park and across the floodplains are islands of Acacias and other large trees, flanked by a steep escarpment on the northern side, which is covered with thick Miombo woodland.
The park protects an area of unique biodiversity and the mesmerising flow of the Zambezi River as well as its sheer expanse can be overwhelming.
On the opposite bank of the Zambezi River, in neighboring Zimbabwe, is Mana Pools National Park, and together these to pristine parks constitute for one of Africa’s finest wildlife areas.
The Lower Zambezi has a hot tropical climate with a wet and dry season, and fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year. The dry season months of July through to October, before the first rains, are great for wildlife viewing as the vegetation is dry and sparse, and animals gather along the river for water. In the months of May through to August it does get quite cold at night and early mornings, so it is recommended to bring warm clothes for morning and late afternoon activities.
Most visitors to the park do so via light aircraft charters or scheduled flights. Self-drives are possible but you will need a high clearance 4 x 4 vehicle, and should have 4 wheel drive experience.
Wildlife
Whilst the variety of the wildlife is not as diverse as other parks, there are still healthy populations of several species and the Lower Zambezi National Park is renowned for its predator sightings, primarily leopard, hyena and large prides of lions. It should be noted that giraffe, rhino and cheetah are absent in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Birdlife
With over 350 recorded bird species, Lower Zambezi a birding hotspot. The park is particularly rich in resident and migrant water birds, which can be found on the sandbanks and along the rivers edge. The escarpment cliffs are a good place to look for raptors, including the impressive Verreaux’s eagle. One of Africa’s most sought-after birds, the Angola pitta, breeds here and can be found regularly during the wet season. Other specialties include the Trumpeter Hornbill, the Pennant-winged Nightjar, Osprey, the Palm-nut vulture, Pel’s fishing owl, and the collared Pratincole among others.
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