The rest of Zambia's National Parks

Lavushi Manda National Park

South-east of the Bangweulu Swamps with no facilities and little wildlife

Liuwa Plain National Park

In the remote far west with no facilities but some large herds of animals

Lochinvar National Park

This is a small park that is world-famous for bird life and herds of lechwe. The park is very similar to the Blue Lagoon National Park on the other side of the Kafue on the northern flats.

This was a former ranch, the park was designated in 1972. The antelope and birds flourish in the absence of larger predators, which have been killed off by ranchers in the area. Lochinvar is also home to hot springs, echoing rocks, remains of a Neolithic settlement and an Iron Age village on Sebanzi Hill, also known for its caves, ancient baobab and wildlife. The old colonial-style farmhouse was converted as the lodge for the park.

Lower Zambezi National Park

East of Lusaka, offers good wildlife viewing on the Zambezi River. The river provides a focal point for attracting abundant wildlife including elephant, hippo, buffalo, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard, various antelope species, and a large variety of birds. Canoe safaris and fishing expeditions along the river are popular and provide close viewing of animals in their natural habitat. As do organised walking safaris and night time game drives. If you would like to stay over in the park do book well in advance.

Luambe National Park

A small park, close to South Luangwa National Park, this park is busy recovering after previous neglect. The life force of the Luangwa Valley is the Luangwa River. In the rainy season it floods and as it retreats, lagoons remain at the side of the main channel. The river does not dry up completely at Luambe but by the end of the dry season flows are reduced to a trickle. The river scene changes throughout the year according to the water level, which changes the landscape of its banks and floodplain. This combination of water and land has created a very special ecosystem. In Luambe, there are numerous lagoons, which are visited by animals and birds in the dry season and which promote biodiversity.

Lukusuzi National Park

East of Luambe, undeveloped but with potential

Lusenga Plain National Park

East of Lake Mweru, no facilities, no easy access with little wildlife

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Victoria Falls National Park)

Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park is the country's smallest National Park only covering an area of 66 sq kms, and situated approximately 450 kms south of Lusaka. The name has been given by the local people and means the smoke that thunders. Mosi-ao-Tunya National Park is divided into two sections, showing off one of the great natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls and the other section the game park which lies further west along the riverbank. From the park entrance a network of paths lead through thick vegetation to different viewpoints of the falls. You can get a panoramic view of the falls from the Knife Edge footbridge, which spans a narrow ridge of rock between mainland and an island downstream where you face the falls. Other good viewing points are Falls Bridge, Boiling Pot, the Power Station and the various gorges. The Falls are particularly magnificent on a moonlit night. The game park, north of the Maramba River is best known for its giraffe, but also contains sale, eland, wildebeest, Lechwe, impala, warthog, baboon and monkey. Elephants sometime migrate to the Zambian side from Zimbabwe in the height of the dry season.

Mweru Wantipa National Park

They have no facilities are neglected with little wildlife but has potential for redevelopment

North Luangwa National Park

This reserve has no facilities and is closed except to specially-licensed tours

Nsumbu National Park (also known as Sumbu)

This park was once ranked with Kafue and Luangwa. It is only in recent years that the park has been restocked, after being virtually wiped of game stock by poachers. It now has a varied range of wildlife including large herds of elephants which head for the lakeshore during the dry season. Bushbuck, warthog, puku, the magnificent roan antelope, sable, eland, hartebeest, buffalo and zebra. The park is good for viewing lion and leopards are fairly common here, although they are rarely seen due to their nocturnal nature. Flamingos do visit the lake during their migrations. The lake is one of the greatest attractions for game-fishing. Every year in March/April a national fishing competition is held at Kasaba Bay which is attended by fisherman from all over the world.

Nyika National Park

Famous for its highland scenery and vegetation rather than wildlife; one lodge, but reached from the park of the same name in Malawi.

This park is unlike anything else. It is deep in the heart of Africa, filled with the animals of Africa. the rolling montane grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, broken only by the occasional patch of evergreen forest, even as the lower slopes are hidden by extensive miombo woodlands. The wild, open nature of the plateau attracts visitors who come to view the birds and animals, study the flowers, walk or ride across the hills and valleys, or simply sit in the sun and absorb the magnificent scenery.

The dry, cool season is May to October with the main rains in January and February.

Sioma Ngwezi National Park

In the remote far south-west with no facilities but some large herds of animals

West Lunga National Park

No facilities with no easy access the park is neglected with little wildlife but has potential for redevelopment.