Vacaay
1 / 4

Kafue National Park

About Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park gives you a safari experience that feels bigger, quieter, and more varied than many of Zambia’s better-known parks. As Zambia’s oldest and largest national park, it stands out for its wide range of landscapes, from river systems and woodlands to open plains in the north, so the whole trip feels less one-note. It is a strong choice if you want something that feels wilder and more spread out, with plenty of room to shape the experience around what you enjoy most. 

When to visit

June to October is the best overall window for Kafue, with dry conditions, easier access, and stronger wildlife viewing across the park.

Most popular: July - October

Spring · Sep, Oct, Nov

Spring, from Sep. to Nov., is hot, dry, and increasingly dramatic, with thinner vegetation and rising wildlife concentration around water. September and October are especially rewarding for classic safari intensity, while November marks the beginning of the rains and the transition into the green season.

Summer · Dec, Jan, Feb

Summer, from Dec. to Feb., is the wet season, when Kafue turns lush, green, and visually spectacular. The landscape feels alive with birdlife and fresh growth, but rainfall is high, many roads become difficult or inaccessible, and much of the park is harder to explore in the classic safari sense.

Autumn · Mar, Apr, May

Autumn, from Mar. to May., is a transition period as the rains ease and the park slowly dries out. March can still be wet, but by late autumn conditions improve, the scenery remains richly green, and access starts becoming more practical ahead of the core dry-season safari months.

Winter · Jun, Jul, Aug

Winter, from Jun. to Aug., is one of the finest times to experience Kafue, with cool mornings, almost no rain, and clear skies over rivers, plains, and woodland. Wildlife viewing improves as the bush thins and permanent water becomes more important, making the park feel both easier and more rewarding to explore.

Weather Highlights

  • Summer high

    30°C / 86°F

  • Winter low

    9°C / 48°F

  • Rain

    104 days

  • Snow

    0 days

Location

Getting There

From central Lusaka, drive west on the M9 toward Mumbwa for the north-eastern camps, or continue past Mumbwa toward the Nalusanga Entrance Gate if you are heading for the central and southern sectors of Kafue National Park. Seasonal flights also operate to the Kafue area during the midyear high season, giving you a shorter way in depending on where you are staying.

You may also like

Book securely throughBooking.com

View Rates