National park · Zambia
Kafue National Park
Spend a day on the Busanga Plains early for a game drive (entry ZMW 300, no guide needed) or a 2‑day walking safari (guide required) in July–Oct; avoid the rainy season.
- 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
22,400 km² (8,649 sq mi)8,649 sq mi (22,400 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Jul–Oct
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
- 22,400 km² (8,649 sq mi)8,649 sq mi (22,400 km²)
- Approximately 22,400 km², one of the largest national parks in Africa.
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Jul–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Lusaka
Kafue National Park spans 22,400 km² of floodplains, woodlands and savannah in central Zambia. The Busanga Plains in the north are the main draw for game viewing, with large herds of antelope, elephant and predators. The park is less visited than South Luangwa, offering a quieter safari experience. Self-drive is possible on the main road, but walking safaris and boat trips require a guide. The dry winter months (July–October) are the best time to visit, when wildlife concentrates around water sources and roads are passable.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
22,400 km² (8,649 sq mi)8,649 sq mi (22,400 km²) · national park since 1970
Approximately 22,400 km², one of the largest national parks in Africa.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Lusaka.
Why go
- One of Africa's largest parks with flood‑plain and desert habitats.
- High concentrations of antelope, elephants and birdlife on the Busanga Plains.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry north, cooler south.
- FebDry, good wildlife viewing.
- MarStart of rains in south.
- AprIncreasing rain, some roads muddy.
- MayRainy in south, some access limited.
- JunRain peaks, many tracks impassable.
- JulWinter, dry, roads clear.
- AugDry, wildlife concentrated on plains.
- SepDry, good game viewing.
- OctLate dry season, excellent access.
- NovFirst rains return.
- DecRainy, some roads flooded.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, buffalo, antelope (Puku, Kudu, Lechwe)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hippo, Nile crocodileAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lion, leopardAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (waterfowl, raptors, passerines)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
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
Bus to Mongu (≈4 h, ZMW 300), then arrange pickup to Hook Bridge on M9.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Livingstone
Drive north via M10 and M9 to Hook Bridge (≈6 h).
6 h
Open the page →
From Mongu airport (if flying)
Charter flight to Kafue airstrip, then 30 min road to Hook Bridge.
≈1 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hook Bridge headquarters | Gate, visitor centre, basic facilities, entry point to the park. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Busanga Plains | Flooded grasslands, prime game‑viewing area, walking trails. | Guided walks or self‑drive on tar road. |
| Lufupa River corridor | River, boat trips, fishing, birdwatching. | Boat from Lufupa Lodge or Musekese Camp. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 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 central points; exact locations of trails 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 (Hook Bridge gate) | ZMW 300 | person | Check latest fee on ZAWA website. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Walking safari permit or guide
Park rules
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated grills only.
- Guides
- Required for walking safaris and off‑road travel beyond the main road.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in the park.
- Camping
- Only in licensed camps or lodges; wild camping forbidden.
Where to stay
Near the park
Leopard Lodge
Upscale lodge on the riverbank, includes meals and game drives.
In the park
Mayukuyuku Camp
Bush camp with en‑suite tents, full‑board options.
In the park
Musekese Camp
Riverside camp offering walking safaris and boat trips.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Crocodile encounters high
Malaria medium
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
- Hook Bridge HQ reachable by road; short walks to facilities.
- Busanga Plains and Lufupa River require vehicle or guide; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support lodges that employ local staff and buy local food.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; bring reusable bottles.
- Do not feed wildlife or disturb nesting sites.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kafue National Park?
Entry at Hook Bridge gate is ZMW 300 per adult (check latest rate on the ZAWA website).
What are the best hikes in Kafue National Park?
The 2‑day walking safari across Busanga Plains to Lufupa River is the main trek; shorter walks are available around the Hook Bridge area with a guide.
When is the best time to visit Kafue National Park?
July to October – dry winter months when roads are clear and wildlife concentrates on the floodplain.
Can I drive my own vehicle in the park?
Self‑drive is allowed on the main tar road to Hook Bridge and Busanga Plains, but off‑road travel requires a licensed guide.
Are there any malaria precautions?
Yes – take prophylaxis, use insect repellent and sleep under a mosquito net, especially in the floodplain camps.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Kafue National Park
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