Kasanka National Park, situated on the southwestern edge of the Lake Bangweulu basin, is among the smallest national parks in Zambia. It spans 450 km; however, it is richly endowed with rivers, lakes, wetlands, forests, lagoons, meadows, and dambos that support a unique and diverse array of animals, birds, and fish. One can anticipate encountering large herds of animals at every turn.
It is certainly one of the most beautiful parks in Zambia, featuring exceptional birdlife. Kasanka National Park features tourist camps, roads, and bridges. The Kasanka Trust was established to generate funds for this community-based initiative. The park is home to numerous elephants and lions. Some of the rarest birds and animals in the country can be found in the beautiful Miombo woodlands, swamp forest, grasslands, floodplains, and the riverine bushveld, which can be enjoyed on walks and drives.
What to do in Kasanka National Park
Fishing in Kasanka National Park
Kasanka National Park is home to several water bodies that serve as fishing grounds for visitors. It features lakes, rivers, and swamps. Lake Wasa is the largest body of water, while the river Luwombwa holds the title of the largest river in the game park. The park’s water bodies are relatively shallow, making them suitable for various fishing techniques for visitors. Visitors can utilize baskets and nets, among other tools, to catch fish, which is then prepared and enjoyed by them.
Game Drives in Kasanka National Park
Game driving offers the finest opportunity to observe wildlife in Kasanka National Park. This activity takes place on a well-established 4 x 4 safari vehicle. The vehicle features an open roof and windows that can be opened for optimal viewing during the game drive. During the game drives in Kasanka National Park, not all animals encountered are desired.
This means that while there is no assurance of encountering these animals, there are well-known areas in the park where visitors can observe them. At times, tourists may even exit their vehicles and explore on foot within the game park. A game ranger and a guide are present to direct and protect tourists from dangers and restricted areas throughout the experience.
Game walking in Kasanka National Park
Kasanka National Park offers game viewing at a well-established location, where tourists are accompanied by a game ranger carrying a firearm. This is vibrant, and during a game walk, you truly feel the essence of being in the wild. While this activity is available in the park, there are limitations on visitors, and not everyone is permitted to participate in these tours. For their protection.
Canoeing in Kasanka National Park
Canoeing is an excellent activity for relieving stress and relaxing the body for tourists, as it provides a refreshing experience and beautiful views of nature while sailing on the canoe. The presence of water bodies in Kasanka National Park makes canoeing an appealing activity for tourists visiting the park. The River Luwombwa, being the largest in the park, has greatly facilitated the activity. Visitors on the canoe boats can glide along the river, observing birds, aquatic life, and the lush vegetation, particularly the riverine forests that line the waterway.
Nature Walks in Kasanka National Park
Kasanka National Park in Zambia is cherished for its numerous natural features, making it one of the premier nature walks in Africa for tourists. It features numerous rivers, lakes, landscapes, vegetation, climate, mammals, and birds, all of which are truly captivating to behold. Tourism as a global sector is marked by the diverse preferences of travelers; however, in Kasanka National Park, all visitors’ needs regarding nature are thoroughly met.
The activities involved in nature walking in the park encompass bird watching, wildlife viewing, and dip netting, particularly in the shallow water bodies for visitors who take pleasure in fishing as a hobby.
Bird Watching in Kasanka National Park
Your search for the finest bird watching scenery in Africa is certainly on the right path.
Have a trip to Kasanka National Park in Zambia and find your bird watching thirst, drunk with different, unique and beautiful birds that flood the air of Kasanka National Park. Kasanka National Park is home to over 300 species of birds. These birds are located in various areas of the park.
Several of them can be located along the Luwombwa River, the largest river within the park.
Visitors enjoying boat rides and canoeing can observe various birds along the riverbanks as they glide across the water. The river is home to a variety of popular birds, including the half-collated Kingfisher, Pel’s fishing owl, the lesser jacana, and the African pygmy goose, along with other rare species. Within Kasanka National Park lies the Mushitu forest, home to a diverse array of birds that flit about, showcasing their vibrant colors and producing delightful sounds that are a joy to observe and hear.
The birds observed at Mushitu include the Brown-headed apalis, Green twinspot, grey waxbill, Olive, Yellow-bellied, and others. Birds can be found not only at Mushitu forest and the shores of river Luwombwa. These birds soar throughout the park, and among those observed are the Whyte’s barbet, spotted creeper, scrub robin, red-capped crombec, and Cabanis’s bunting, among others.
When to visit the park
Kasanka National Park in Zambia is open year-round, 24 hours a day, offering a range of activities for tourists throughout the year. Birding is particularly rewarding during the wet season, while game viewing reaches its peak in the dry season. Fishing is most effective during the wet season, although it can be enjoyed throughout the entire year. The park is open to all tourists at any hour, day, season, and year, depending on their preferred travel days. There isn’t a definitive best time to visit Kasanka National Park.
How to reach Kasanka National Park
Kasanka National Park is situated to the northwest of Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. The park covers an area of approximately 500 square kilometers from the capital city. The journey from Lusaka to Kasanka National Park by road transport, utilizing the tourist vehicle, takes over 6 hours. However, there are no direct flights to Kasanka National Park; however, domestic flight options are available, particularly during the dry seasons. The journey ends at Mulembo airstrip, and the aircraft is a chartered plane. A comprehensive map of Kasanka National Park is available on Google.
