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Home>Zambia>What to see | 
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| Zambia: What to see | |||
| Lower Zambezi National Park | |||
>see photographs Best known for This is Zambia's newest national Park and is still very underdeveloped. The Park is thus unique in how naturally intact it is - and the stunning scenery. Although there is not the volumes of game found in some of the other Zambian Parks - the closeness with which one can approach game from the Zambezi River is absolutely amazing. Location Downstream from Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba the Lower Zambezi National Park is located in Southern Zambia, east of Lusaka. The Park ends at Mpata Gorge in the east and the western boundary is the Chongwe River. The main gate is at Chongwe. The Park is situated on the Zambezi River bank opposite the famous Mana Pools National Park of Zimbabwe. Size This Park covers an area of 4 092 square kilometres. Wildlife Four of the Big Five are found here: lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo; other species include African Civet, genet, hippo, honey badger, hyena, impala, kudu, zebra, warthog and waterbuck. Rarer species include eland and roan antelope, and the Samango monkey. The variety of some 380 bird species includes fish eagles, black eagles, Lilian's lovebirds, Meyers parrots, white fronted and carmine bee-eaters and trumpeter hornbills. Environment A 1200 metre high escarpment along the northern side of the Park acts as a natural barrier stopping the animals from leaving. Most of the animals are concentrated on the Zambezi Valley floor. Vegetation The vegetation of the Park can be divided into three main zones: the river banks consist mainly of dense overhanging trees such as leadwood, ebony and figs; a floodplain is further inland and is fringed by mopane forest and interspersed with winterthorn trees (Acacia albida); the escarpment consists of hills and these are covered by broadleaf miombo woodland. Climate and when to go The best time to visit is considered to be between June and September, although the entire dry period between April and November is good and most operators function during this time. The fishing is best between September and October. Activities Game viewing by vehicle and from a boat, guided walking safaris, tiger fishing, bird watching, and canoeing along the Zambezi River are the activities on offer. The canoe safaris are particularly popular, allowing close undisturbed encounters with the game and bird life at the waters edge. Accommodation A number of excellent exclusive lodges exist along the banks of the Zambezi including: Royal Zambezi Lodge, Kayila Lodge, Mwambashi Lodge, Sausage Tree Camp, Kiambi Lodge , Kiubo River Lodge and Kulefu Lodge. How to get there Not suitable to self-drivers the best way to see this Park is to travel to either a private lodge, or with a private operator - both of which will organize transfers from either Lusaka, Chirundu, or Kariba. By road To Chirundu and then by boat down the Zambezi River to the lodges. By air There is an airstrip at Jeeki. |
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