National Parks in Zambia
About 30 % of Zambia’s 752,614 square kilometers is reserved for wildlife. There are 20 national parks and 34 game management areas in the country. South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi rank among the finest game parks in the world.
Luambe, and Lukusuzi Liuwa Plain, West Lunga, Sioma Ngwezi, and Nyika Plateau have substantial wildlife but are still undeveloped. Mosi-oa-Tunya, near Victoria Falls, is regarded as a Zoological park as it has a well managed population of antelope, elephants, giraffe and rhino, but does not have any predators.
Isangano, Lavushi Manda, Lusenga Plain, and Mweru Wantipa have never had management or facilities and have little wildlife but are still worth a visit by intrepid explorers and birdlovers. The newest park to be proclaimed is Lusaka National Park, just outside the capital, which opened to the public in June 2015.
In approximate order of importance in terms of wildlife resources, the 9 main functioning parks, all with access and accommodation are:
The national parks are administered by ZAWA, the Zambia Wildlife Authority,
Park Entry Fees:
View the park entry fees.
Click on each of the National Parks for a brief description
Blue Lagoon National Park
This Park is an undiscovered gem. The vast plains are spectacular in the dry season and transform completely from a dry grass flatland to a watery wonderland in the wet season, as the flats fill with water and the migratory birds arrive from far and wide.
Kafue National Park
Kasanka National Park
This peaceful sanctuary, situated on the south western edge of the Lake Bangweulu basin, is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks. It’s 450 km2 however, are so well endowed with rivers, lakes and wetlands, forests, lagoons, meadows and dambos that it supports a uniquely wide range of animals and abundant birds and fish.
Lavushi Manda National Park
This park, although indicated as a National Park on all available maps, is no longer a reserve for wildlife. Most of the animals have been poached out, except for a few herds of antelope on the northern plane. It still has a formidable bird population however, but Tsetse flies are rife.
Liuwa Plains National Park
Lochinvar National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park
This park is still relatively undeveloped, but it’s beauty lies in it’s absolute wilderness state. The diversity of animals is not as wide as the other big parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular.
Luambe Manda National Park
Between the North and South Parks on the east bank of the Luangwa River, is a small park of great vegetative beauty and an ever increasing animal and bird population. A new camp has just been established in this park for the first time.
Lukusuzi National Park
Lusenga Plain National Park
Lusenga Plains National Park is in Luapula province in the North of Zambia. This park has not been operational for many years but it is now being restocked. Impala and zebra have been released , and soon wildebeest.
Mweru Wantipa National Park
North Luangwa National Park
This remote tract of land covering 4636 square kilometres offers one of the finest wilderness experiences in Zambia, if not Africa itself. There are very few roads and only licenced operators can build temporary camps for walking safaris.
Nyika National Park
Nyika plateau, a beautiful montane highland area, lies on the Malawian border at the eastern most tip of Zambia. The park is actually an extension of the National Park on the Malawian side which incorporates the rest of the plateau.
Sioma Ngwezi National Park
South Luangwa National Park
Experts have dubbed South Luangwa as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of game around the Luangwa river and it’s ox bow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa.
Nsumbu National Park
Lying on the southern shores of Lake Tanganyika in the Northern most tip of Zambia, Nsumbu National Park covers an area of just over 2000 square kilometers encompassing 100kms of some of the most pristine shores of this vast Lake.
Mosi oa Tunya
West Lunga National Park
West Lunga National Park is one of Zambia’s less visited Parks. It was proclaimed in the 1940s to protect the population of Yellow-backed Duiker, but it has had little official interest over the years and has mainly been used for hunting and fishing by the local communities.