Lufupa River Camp

Destination

Kafue National Park

The well-known Lufupa area of Zambia's Kafue National Park is recognised as a focal point for prolific animal and bird life. Situated at the confluence of the Lufupa and Kafue Rivers, this site offers access to productive game viewing areas in the dambos (open grassy clearings) and woodlands of the northern Kafue. Puku, impala, and Defassa waterbuck are common while more unusual species include Lichtenstein's hartebeest. The area is renowned for its leopard viewing and elephant and lion sightings are regular. The newly-built Lufupa River Camp features seven comfortable en-suite tents (two of which are family rooms) on the banks of the Kafue River offered on a bed-and-breakfast basis. The vibrant social hub is the whimsically named Kafue River Café with a bar and restaurant; a la carte meals and drinks are served during the day and early evening to guests of Lufupa River Camp and the nearby campsite. Activities (at extra cost) include day and night nature drives exploring prime game viewing areas adjoining the Kafue River and Lufupa Channel. Boat trips reveal the incredible hippo population of the area complemented by a constant array of colourful waterbirds, reptiles and other life amongst the riverine vegetation. Guided nature walks and fishing excursions are also on offer.

Directions To Lufupa River Camp

Lufupa River Camp is located in Kafue in Zambia.

Area Attractions

At 22 500 square kilometres, Kafue National Park is one of the largest parks in Africa. It is fed by three rivers, the Lufupa in the north-west and the Lunga and Kafue in the north-east. The Lufupa Channel floods in the summer, creating a large floodplain delta system that attracts thousands of waterbirds. The Lunga and Kafue rivers are wide and slow-flowing, banded by riverine forest. In the extreme north of the Kafue lie the Busanga Plains - one of Zambia's most significant wetland resources and one of the few areas in the world that remain untouched by development and human activity. The Kafue National Park is also part of a transfrontier park initiative - the Kavango-Zambezi Transfontier Conservation area, or Kaza Park. The aim is to establish a world-class conservation area linking a vast network of national parks, game management areas and conservancies over five African countries and eventually covering 280 000 square kilometres! Habitats around Lufupa range from the riverine vegetation flanking the Kafue and Lufupa to broad-leaved woodland opening out into large, grassy dambos. The Park has the highest mammal species diversity in Zambia due to this interesting habitat mix, boasting 55 large mammal species - including 20 ungulate and six cat species! The Lufupa area is home to hundreds of ubiquitous puku and Defassa waterbuck. Lichtenstein's hartebeest, warthog and elephant are often seen while at twilight hippo emerge from their deep-water channels to graze. This wealth of game is also a big attraction for predators, including frequent leopard and lion sightings. Serval is also seen occasionally. The birdlife is thrilling in its variety and sheer numbers with nearly 500 species recorded for the Park. Exciting specials include the elegant Grey Crowned Crane, Racket-tailed Roller, Schalow's Turaco, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Red-necked Spurfowl, Böhm's Bee-eater, Trumpeter Hornbill and Senegal Coucal. The open water and secluded riverine fringe provides further habitat for African Finfoot, Half-collared Kingfisher, Saddle-billed Stork, White-backed Night-Heron and large flocks of African Openbills.