National park · Zambia
Lower Zambezi National Park
Enter Lower Zambezi for a 2‑day canoe safari (pick‑up from Lusaka, $120‑150 entry) in July‑Sept, or a 4‑day walking safari (guide required, $200‑250 entry) in June‑Oct; avoid the rainy season (Nov‑Apr).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,092 km² (1,580 sq mi)1,580 sq mi (4,092 km²)
approximate
Established
1985
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Zambia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Zambian government sources; if you will cross to Zimbabwe, ask about the KAZA UniVisa and whether it is available to you.
- Zambia ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military, airports or bridges.
- Zambia ↗Many bush camps open only in the dry season; check opening dates before you fix flights.
- Central Zambia ↗Most Western passports enter Zambia visa-free for short stays; check current rules before booking.
- Central Zambia ↗Carry kwacha for markets, buses and small shops; cards work in Lusaka malls and hotels.
- Central Zambia ↗Drive on the left. The Great North Road is tarred but has trucks, potholes and unlit stretches after dark.
At a glance
- Country
- Zambia
- Area
- 4,092 km² (1,580 sq mi)1,580 sq mi (4,092 km²)
- Park covers about 4,092 km² of floodplain and savanna (check for minor variations).
- Established
- 1985
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Lusaka
Lower Zambezi National Park spans the Zambezi river floodplain in central Zambia, offering canoe safaris, walking walks and abundant wildlife such as elephants, lions and wild dogs.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1985.
Size and age
4,092 km² (1,580 sq mi)1,580 sq mi (4,092 km²) · national park since 1985
Park covers about 4,092 km² of floodplain and savanna (check for minor variations).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Lusaka.
Why go
- Canoe trips on the Zambezi with elephants and hippos along the banks.
- Walking safaris that bring you close to lions, leopards and wild dogs.
- Remote wilderness with few vehicles, great birding and river fishing.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, high water, limited game visibility
- FebRainy season continues
- MarRain, river high
- AprTransition, still wet
- MayStart of dry, but roads muddy
- JunDry, good wildlife sightings
- JulPrime game viewing, lower river levels
- AugExcellent game, cooler nights
- SepPeak wildlife, dry
- OctDry, but river starts rising
- NovRain returns, river high
- DecRainy, limited access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, lion, leopard, wild dogJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Hippo, buffalo, zebraJun–Dec | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (kingfisher, bateleur, African fish eagle)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lusaka
Domestic flight to Mfuwe (1 h) then 2‑hour road transfer to lodge, or 4‑hour drive to park gate.
4–5 h total
Open the page →
From Chirundu (border town)
Pick‑up by lodge from Chirundu border post; 2‑hour drive along Zambezi road.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Kariba (Zimbabwe)
Cross border by ferry, then 1‑hour drive to lodge on Zambezi side.
1–2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main river lodges | Accommodation, canoe launch points and guided walk bases. | Accessible by road from Lusaka or Chirundu; entry via lodge reservation. |
| Northern wildlife sector | Elephant and lion habitats, walking trails. | Guided walks only. |
| Southern river stretch | Hippo colonies and birding sites. | Canoe trips; no private vehicles allowed. |
Sketch map
- 1Park gate (Chirundu side) · Gate≈-15.640, 29.100Main entry point for road visitors.Map ↗
- 2Ana Tree Lodge · Sleep≈-15.800, 29.350Riverside lodge with canoe launch.Map ↗
- 3Kanyemba Lodge · Sleep≈-15.720, 29.280Popular base for walking safaris.Map ↗
- 4Kasaka River Lodge · Sleep≈-15.770, 29.320Mid‑river location.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park and lodge locations; exact positions may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per adult) | US$120–150 | person | Includes basic game drive; canoe trips often add a separate fee |
| Canoe safari (per day) | US$250–350 | person | Varies by lodge operator |
| Walking safari guide (per day) | US$200–250 | person | Guide mandatory for back‑country walks |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Canoe/Walking guide permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$120–150
- US$250–350
- US$200–250
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit park authority permission.check
- Guides
- Mandatory for all walking safaris and canoe trips.
- Vehicle access
- Private off‑road vehicles prohibited; only lodge‑operated transport allowed.
- Camping
- Only in designated camp sites run by lodges; wild camping forbidden.
- Fire
- Open fires not permitted; use lodge facilities only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ana Tree Lodge
$435‑600 per night; riverside cabins, guided canoe trips.
Near the park
Kanyemba Lodge
$220‑340 per night; excellent guiding, meals included.
Near the park
Kasaka River Lodge
$350‑375 per night; friendly staff, home‑cooked meals.
Near the park
Kulefu Tented Camp
$130‑475 per night; tented accommodation on the river.
Near the park
Royal Zambezi Lodge
$450‑500 per night; upscale riverside resort.
Safety
River crocodiles high
Heat and dehydration medium
Lost on remote walks high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main lodges reachable by 4‑wheel‑drive vehicles; short walks from lodge to riverbank are level.
Visiting lightly
- Choose lodges that support community wildlife projects.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; use refillable bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lower Zambezi National Park?
Entry fees range from $120‑$150 per adult; canoe trips and guided walks add separate fees of $250‑$350 per day.
What are the best hikes in Lower Zambezi National Park?
The 8‑hour walking safari from Kanyemba Lodge (guided, moderate) and the 6‑hour riverbank trail near Ana Tree Lodge are top choices.
When is the best time to visit Lower Zambezi National Park?
July through September offers the best wildlife viewing and lower river levels; June‑October is generally good, while November‑April is rainy.
Can I drive my own 4WD into the park?
Private off‑road vehicles are not permitted; access is via lodge‑operated transport or guided tours.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Only in designated camp sites run by lodges; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Lower Zambezi National Park
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