What to do in Kafue

Fed by the mighty Kafue River, the lush plains are loved and lived in by wildlife aplenty. We’re talking puku, spectacular herds of red lechwe, buffalo and wildebeest, the rare roan antelope, cheetah and, of course, the famous lions of Kafue. And with two safari drives a day from most camps (in the early morning and late afternoon), you should have the chance to see as much of it as possible. In the moments when your binoculars aren't affixed to your eyes, there'll be refreshing beverages to sip on as you gaze at this wild scene.

As Zambia's largest park, Kafue may seem more suited to all-day game drives, but walking safaris are one of its hidden gems...Picture strolling across the flood plains in the early morning light without another soul around for miles, heaven! With your seasoned guide leading the way, put your walking boots to good use as you explore this exquisite wilderness, spying huge herds of red lechwe, cheetah speeding to catch their prey and learning to read the signs these creatures leave behind. Without the rumble of an engine or clues given over walkie-talkie, you'll get back to the roots of a safari. The best time to see the most wildlife is, of course, the dry season (May to October) and September is especially good for avid birders.

Considering its size and sheer power, the Kafue River is remarkably serene, and a morning or afternoon boat cruise along its glassy surface is a real treat. Navigate your way through scaly crocodiles and yawning hippo, catch elephant coming down the grassy banks to drink or splash their way across, and watch kingfishers darting in and out of the shallows. For a touch more romance, set sail at sunset and watch as the waterscape begins to look like a vibrant oil painting - with a cold G&T in hand, of course...

Night drives in Kafue offer something wonderfully different to the day – a window into a different world, where a diverse range of species can be spotted. After sunset drinks in the bush, your guide will power up the spotlight and, in hushed tones, explain the crackles and calls breaking through the silence. From then on, it’s all eyes peeled for aardvark, porcupine, fluttering owl, smaller cats like genet and civet, and even the elusive leopard.

Safari drives in the watery Busanga Plains, raved about as one of Kafue’s game-viewing hotspots, are ideal for spotting nervous herds of puku and red lechwe, prowling lion and some of the highest concentrations of painted dog and cheetah in Zambia. And as your expert guide will surely tell you, keep your eyes peeled for birdlife you've never seen before! Whether you leave at first light or as dusk approaches, you'll make a pitstop for warming (or cooling) drinks in a scenic spot. Bear in mind that the plains are only accessible from July to October, when the floodwaters recede and leave behind a carpet of luscious grasses that are perfect for game drives, but that makes it all the more special.

Learn what it takes to help conservation efforts in the remote North-Eastern Kafue National Park, from anti-poaching to wildlife research – There are several conservation organisations working within the Kafue landscape due to its size. What makes Musekese Conservation so unique is that it was founded thanks to tourism. The operations of Classic Zambia (previously Jeffery & McKeith Safaris) enabled in 2017, the establishment of a dedicated NGO non-profit, working to help fill what was a growing void in the protection of wildlife in this vast sector of the park, some 2 600 square kilometers!