The Lower Zambezi National Park is justifiably regarded as one of Southern Africa’s finest reserves. With superb scenery, excellent camps – ranging from wild & immersive to luxurious & grand – and the mighty Zambezi running through, there is much to love about this special little park.
With a few exceptions, most of Africa’s great parks are fed by its major rivers. The Luangwa River supports 4 National Parks in its valley and the river remains the heartbeat all through the year. But the Zambezi possibly trumps this by enabling boating and canoeing year round due to the controlled flow from the Kariba Dam.
This is the Lower Zambezi’s major attraction. The ability to float quietly with the current, approaching drinking herds of elephants, twitchy herds of buffalo and endless waterbirds is a wonderful contrast to many parks in terms of subjects, angles, lighting and the pace of the day’s activities.
Very often, elephant herds cross the channels to feed on the islands mid-stream. With the weight off their feet, they take time to play, bathe and enjoy themselves; it’s fun to watch and even more fun to photograph!
While the river is a very special feature, and not to be missed, the land-based safaris are also very rewarding. Lion and leopard are prevalent here, making the best of the rich riverine forest to hunt. Inland, plains open up areas for zebra and, very occasional, cheetah sightings!
There are also some unusual species here such as the crested guineafowl which are worth looking out for, but it is the river, with the stunning escarpment running along the Zambian side that will keep drawing you back to its banks or out on to the water.
When I visit Lower Zambezi, my preferred camps are Tusk & Mane and Anabezi. These camps are photographer-friendly, well located and offer a superb experience. Some are small and intimate, some are grand and stately, but every one leaves visitors wanting more of Lower Zambezi.
