Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park

Useful Information

History

Lower Zambezi is one of the youngest national parks in Zambia, established in 1983. Until then, it was the private nature reserve of Zambia’s president. The Cumings family later brought the first tourists into the park at Chiawa Camp in 1990. Over the last three decades, development has been measured and sensitive.

The valley needed some infrastructure to provide visitors access to its natural wealth. Airstrips and camps were established, and access routes opened. Today, fishing within regulations and community relationships in the broader GMA remain important parts of the park’s story.

Wildlife

The lush, pristine wilderness encompassing Lower Zambezi supports high densities of wildlife. Elephant herds of a hundred or more often gather on the floodplains, and large buffalo groups are common. The park holds healthy populations of impala, kudu, eland, wildebeest, waterbuck, and bushbuck, with chances of duiker or grysbok. Large numbers of hippo and crocodile inhabit the river.

The Big Five—except the rhinoceros—can be found in Lower Zambezi. Leopard and lion are regularly encountered along the riverine floodplain, and spotted hyena and African wild dog occur, taking advantage of the area’s abundant prey.

Vegetation & Terrain

The Zambezi Valley was shaped by ancient tectonic and volcanic activity, creating the dramatic escarpment and the broad river channel. Along the river are thick belts of riverine woodland and tall ebony, leadwood, and fig. North from the river, vegetation grades to floodplains, with mopane forests and miombo woodlands on higher ground and ridges.

Acacias and winterthorn trees are common, and the short grasses make for excellent guided walks. Floodplains provide grazing throughout the year; in the dry winter, wildlife concentrates along these green corridors. Giant baobabs and acacia are enduring symbols of the park.

Activities

Lower Zambezi National Park offers a variety of game-viewing experiences. Daily game drives in 4x4 vehicles with experienced rangers cover the lush plains and higher ground. Bush walks are led by armed game rangers and allow guests to explore habitats up close. Boat rides on the Zambezi reveal hippo and crocodile at eye level, and canoeing offers a quiet vantage point along channels.

If you enjoy fishing, the feisty tigerfish is found along the river and offers a great challenge (fishing is strictly catch-and-release in the park). Bird enthusiasts will be impressed by the multitude of species. The African fish eagle is common, and photographers find superb light over water and floodplains. Guests can also relax at their lodge with pool time or a spa treatment.