The Lower Zambezi is a lovely conservation area on the northern bank of the Zambezi River, opposite Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. It is one of Africa's off-the-beaten-track safari destinations that offers authentic safaris in a true wilderness.
Need Advice?The beauty of the Lower Zambezi National Park is its wildness. Canoeing here is a fantastic experience and is one of the best ways to observe a wide variety of birds and animal life.
The lodges in the park allow you to choose day-long canoe trips or a leisurely hour on the river. You will meet up with various animal and bird species on bush walks while engaging in animal tracking. Game viewing is best in mid-season between June and October. There are no operations inside the park during the rainy season from November to February.
Boating along the Zambezi River with magnificent views within proximity to the hippos and crocodiles is an unforgettable experience. The area is teeming with life in the water and on the banks – the riverine vegetation creates the perfect environment for smaller animals to find protection and shelter. There is never a dull moment.
The Zambezi River is synonymous with the infamous tiger fish. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a safari experience combined with an angler's dream of catching one of these monsters, you've found it. The lodges arrange everything for you, which includes tackle and gear, so you can focus on bringing your A-game.
Visiting the park offers guests the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the kings and queens of the wild(Lions) swim. Although their noses are scrunched up, just like a house cat in a bath, they swim with great determination and skill and are known to be the only predators for which the crocodile is also prey.
Visiting the Lower Zambezi is about indulging in the spoils of the prolific Zambezi River - whether you are gliding across the surface, fishing from its wealthy waters, or admiring the ample wildlife drawn to its bounties.
Upon arrival at OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, guests are welcomed and assisted in transferring to their flight to Lusaka, Zambia. A short two-hour flight will take you to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. Once in Lusaka, guests fly directly to the Chiawa Game Management Area, conveniently located within the Lower Zambezi.
The park is approximately 150km from Lusaka, and although it is accessible by road, the drive can take up to four hours. Guests on an African Sky safari will be chartered directly to the park, where they will be transported privately to their lodge. Guests can rest assured that they are in the skillful hands of an expert ranger.
From June to October, the dry season is the best time to visit the Lower Zambezi National Park. The park is not only more accessible, but some camps close due to inaccessibility in the rainy season. At this time, you can better view wildlife through the sparser vegetation. The clearer skies are also perfect for stargazing. Fishing is fantastic in September and October.
During the wet season, the park is lovely, with the vegetation becoming a lush green and flowers blossoming. It is the best time for birders to visit the area as the breeding season gets underway. At this time, a multitude of newborn antelope grace the floodplains.
Lower Zambezi is one of the youngest national parks in Zambia, only established in 1983. Up to this time, it was the private nature reserve of Zambia's president. The Cumings family owns and operates the Chiawa Camp and brought the first tourists into the park in 1990. Over the last thirty years, very little development has occurred in the national park.
The famous explorer Dr. David Livingstone was the first European to explore the area. Livingstone was born in Blantyre, Scotland, on 19 March 1813. In 1836, he began his studies in medicine and theology and later decided to become a missionary doctor. He crossed paths with the lower Zambezi area after he set out in 1852 to complete a four-year expedition from the upper Zambezi to the coast.
The lush and pristine wilderness encompassing Lower Zambezi has a mind-blowing array of animals that occur in high numbers. It is not uncommon to see elephant herds of a hundred or more on the floodplains and even more buffalo. The park is home to healthy populations of impala, kudu, eland, wildebeest, waterbuck, and bushbuck occur alongside spectacular dazzles of zebra. You won't spot smaller antelope frequently, but there is a chance of coming across duiker or grysbok. Large numbers of hippos and crocodiles inhabit the rivers.
The Big Five – except the rhinoceros – can be found in Lower Zambezi. Lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas are plentiful due to prey abundance. The varied terrain - with many large trees - suits the leopards perfectly, and lions frequently stalk buffalo, antelope, or zebra in the floodplains.
The Zambezi valley was formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity, which created the enormous fissure through which the Zambezi River flows today. It is because of the volcanic nutrient-rich soil that the area has such lush foliage. The river section has thick riverine vegetation and woodlands. Large ebony, leadwood, and fig trees line the river banks.
As you move north from the river, the vegetation changes to floodplains bordered by thick mopane forests and miombo woodlands on the higher ground and on top of the ridges. Acacias and winterthorn trees commonly occur, and the latter is especially popular amongst the elephants that enjoy their fruits. The area usually has short grass and is thus great for guided bush walks. Floodplains provide sustenance for the grazers throughout the year, and during the dry winters, the animals converge on these areas. Giant baobabs and acacia trees are some of the most recognized symbols of the park.
Lower Zambezi National Park offers visitors a variety of game-viewing experiences. Daily game drives in 4x4 vehicles with experienced rangers are a great way to view the lush plains and some of the higher grounds. Bush walks are led by armed game rangers and offer visitors the opportunity to explore the natural habitat of the various creatures that reside in the region. One of the most popular African safari activities in the park is boat rides on the Zambezi, from where you can view hippos and crocodiles up close in their natural environment. Exploring the waterways on a canoe is also popular.
If you like fishing, the feisty tigerfish can be found along the river and offers a great challenge to even the most experienced anglers (fishing is strictly catch-and-release in the park, so don't expect to take any trophies home). Bird enthusiasts are sure to be impressed by the multitude of species in the park. The mighty fish eagle also calls the area home and will sometimes join anglers in the hunt for fish in the river. The area is perfect for wildlife and landscape photographers. Guests can relax at their lodge by taking a dip in the pool or visiting the spa for a well-deserved treatment.
