Zambia's vast, wild frontier, where the Busanga Plains rival anywhere for big cats.
Enquire About KafueKafue is Zambia's oldest and largest national park, a wilderness of around 22,400 square kilometres that is bigger than some countries, yet sees only a fraction of the visitors of the busier parks. Its scale and variety, from miombo woodland to open floodplain, make it one of the most underrated safari areas in Africa.
The jewel is the Busanga Plains in the far north, a seasonal floodplain that draws big herds of red lechwe, puku and buffalo, and with them some of the best big-cat viewing in the country. Busanga is famous for its lions, including tree-climbing prides, and for cheetah hunting the open grassland.
The Kafue River and its tributaries thread the park, offering boating and fishing alongside game drives and walking. Leopard are common in the riverine woodland, and the park holds antelope you will not easily see elsewhere, including sable and roan.
Kafue is wild and spread out, with camps concentrated in the north around Busanga and along the river. It rewards travellers who value space and variety, and pairs well with the Lower Zambezi or the Falls at Livingstone.
The Busanga Plains are the highlight for predators, with lion prides, cheetah on the open grassland and leopard in the surrounding woodland. African wild dog range across the park.
The floodplains hold large numbers of red lechwe, puku and buffalo, and the woodland adds sable, roan and hartebeest, a richer antelope list than most parks. Elephant and hippo are common along the rivers.
Birding is excellent across the varied habitats, with wattled cranes and other water birds on the Busanga floodplain and a long list of woodland and riverine species, especially rewarding in the green season.
July to October is the prime time, when the Busanga Plains dry enough for access and game concentrates, with the best big-cat viewing from August to October. The northern plains camps are seasonal and open only in these months.
The green season from December to April brings high water, lush plains and superb birding, but much of the north is inaccessible and many camps close. The southern river areas around the Kafue offer some year-round options.
Seasonal camps such as Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp place you in the heart of the plains for the park's best big-cat viewing.
Well-run riverside and bush camps with strong guiding, walking and boating, in quieter parts of the park.
Comfortable lodges on the Kafue River offering year-round access, game drives, boating and fishing at an accessible price.
Small walking-focused camps explore the park on foot, the most immersive way to take in Kafue's scale.
Simpler camps and campsites along the river suit budget travellers and self-drivers exploring independently.
Busanga's open plains give clean, classic big-cat images at sunrise, with lion, cheetah and herds of lechwe in golden light. The river and woodland add variety, and the low visitor numbers mean uncrowded sessions.
Kafue spans value river camps to luxury plains camps and rewards travellers who want wilderness and big cats away from the crowds. The Busanga Plains in particular are a highlight for a second Zambian safari.
Kafue lies in central-western Zambia, reached by light aircraft to the Busanga airstrips in the north, or by road from Lusaka and Livingstone to the river camps in the south.
We arrange every detail, from the right camp to flights and transfers. Tell us your dates and we will do the rest.
Plan My Safari WhatsApp UsA seasonal floodplain in the north of Kafue, famous for its big herds of lechwe and buffalo and for some of the best big-cat viewing in Zambia, including tree-climbing lions and cheetah.
July to October, when the Busanga Plains are accessible and game concentrates, with the best big-cat viewing from August to October.
Very much so for travellers after wilderness and variety. It is vast, uncrowded and rich in cats, antelope and birds, and remains one of Africa's most underrated parks.
By light aircraft to the Busanga airstrips in the north, or by road from Lusaka or Livingstone to the river camps in the south.
Yes. The open Busanga Plains are one of the better places in Zambia to see cheetah, alongside lion and leopard.
Yes. Kafue's southern areas are within reach of Livingstone, so it pairs naturally with a visit to Victoria Falls.
Tell us roughly when you would like to travel and what you most want to see. Every enquiry is answered personally by Jarryd, a former Sabi Sands guide and Head Ranger at andBeyond Phinda, usually within 24 hours. No set packages, no booking fees.
