Zambia Wildlife

Wildlife Sighting percentage on a Zambia Safari

Zambia Wildlife according to its National Park

Being home to 20 National Parks and 34 game management reserves, Zambia is the leading wildlife destination in Africa. More than 30% of this country is dedicated to wildlife and National Parks.

Here are some of the most famous national parks, and the wildlife that you can find there during your Safaris in Zambia.

Kafue National Park

Named after the Kafue River, Kafue National Park is the largest national park in Zambia.  And because of its large size, this national park holds varied wildlife.

The wildlife, you can spot-

• Hippos
• Crocodiles
• Elephant
• Lions
• African Buffalo
• Aardvark,
• Black Rhinos
• Leopards
• Cheetah
• Hyena
• Black rhinos
• White Rhinos
• Wildebeest
• Zebra
• Giraffe

Best time to spot them – From July to October, the middle and end of the dry season is the best time for wildlife viewing in the Kafue National Park.

South Luangwa National Park

Located in the Eastern part of Zambia, South Luangwa National Park is the most fascinating destination to spot wildlife. This national park’s habitat, supports a large habitat of wildlife, more than 60 mammal species and 400 bird species.

On a Safari in Luangwa National Park, you can expect to see the following animals –

• Elephant
• Hippo
• Lion
• Nile crocodile
• Warthog
• Puku
• Impala
• Spotted hyena
• Greater Kudu and eland

Some unique animals – Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawahay’s Zebra.

Best Time to visit – The dry season, (during September to October, to maximize your game-viewing.

Lower Zambezi National Park

Established in 1983, the Lower Zambezi National Park holds a large diversity of wildlife. This is where you can spot 4 of the big five, except the Rhinos. This National Park also gives opportunities to take part in various safari activities like game drives, walking safaris, and canoe rides.

some of the commonly seen animals are –

• Cape Buffalo
• Elephant
• Lion
• Leopard
• Antelopes’ species like crocodiles and hippopotamus.

Best season to visit- The dry season, (from July to October is the most optimal time for a game-watching.

North Luangwa National Park

Lies in the eastern boundary of Luangwa River, the North Luangwa National Park is home to a unique and diverse species of both bird life and wildlife. This is the only park in Zambia where you can spot the famous African Big Five.

The eco-system of North Luangwa National Park houses the flowing animals –

• Zebra
• Wildebeest
• Black Rhinos
• Lion
• Leopard
• Cheetah
• Hyena
• Buffalo
• Hippo and Giraffe

The best time to visit -  Dry season (from July to October).

Kasanga National Park

Lies on the southwestern edge of Lake Bangweulu Basi, Kasanga National Park is the smallest yet most beautiful. Unlike other national parks in Zambia, this national park is not home to a large diversity of animals.

Compared to other National Parks, the Kasanga National Park offer a poor Wildlife viewing experience. Still, some of the animals can be seen –

• Elephant
• Hippo
• Buffalo
• Zebra
• Leopard and Hyena

Best time to visit – From July to October (the middle and end of the dry season)

Liuwa Plain National Park

Liuwa Plain National Park is where you can see the co-existence of wildlife and human beings. More than 10,000 people live in this national park maintaining harmony with wildlife. This national park holds a large number of blue wildebeest.

This National Park is home to diverse wildlife species. Most of them are –

• Common eland
• Buffalo
• Common tsessebe
• Oribi
• Red lechwe
• Reedbuck
• Roan antelope and migrating blue wildebeest

Best time to visit – mid -October to mod-July (except January to April or May)

Zambia’s National Animal

African Fish Eagle is the official National Animal of Zambia. Look-wise, this eagle is exactly the same as American Bald Eagle. These kinds of Eagles are mostly found in large bodies of open water, where they get an ample food supply.

This eagle mostly eats fish, including smaller birds, reptiles and mammals. Many believe that the joyous scream of the African fish eagle represents the spirit of Africa.

Quick Facts –

• Estimated population size -300,000
• Primary Diet – Fish
• Mostly found around- lakes, rivers and coasts

Fun Facts - African Fish Eagle, make loud and high-pitched sounds, this is why they’re often called the Voice of Africa.

The African Fish Eagles are mostly found in Kafue National Park, Kasanga National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park.

Endangered animals in Zambia

If you’re planning a Zambia Safari, just for the adventure activities in Victoria Falls, then you’re probably wrong. Besides Adventure activities, here you can choose a safari and wildlife viewing activities to discover the vast animal lives in the surrounding areas of Victoria Falls. Even you can extend your Zambia Safari Tour to Botswana, where you can discover the Chobe National Park.

From giant Elephants to small reptiles, Zambia is home to all sorts of animals, that you can discover on Zambia Safari Packages. Along with the classic animals like elephants, lions, and leopards, in Zambia, you can spot some of Africa’s rarest animals.

Here, are some of them –

Zambia Birdlife

Apart from discovering a diverse species of wildlife, you can spot varied bird species during your Safaris In Zambia. This country boasts more than 860 specie both migratory and native birds, dispersed over all its major national parks.

The best time for Birding in Zambia – is November to April, this is a time when a lot of migratory birds come to Zambia for breeding.

Best parks for Birding – North and South Luangwa National Parks and Lower Zambezi National Park

Wildlife conservation in Zambia

Zambia has taken a lot of conservation efforts to protect its vast and diverse wildlife. The World Wildlife Fund, WWF, is working closely with the Government of Zambia and many local partners.

In Liuwa Plains, the WWF is working with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife to reinstate the animal’s numbers and protect them from illegal poaching. Furthermore, WWF is using drone technologies for conservation in Zambia’s National Parks.

Apart from WWF, there are a lot of Conservation projects that run in Zambia.

• Game Rangers International

Established in 2008, Game Rangers International is a Zambian conservation NGO. This NGO assists the wildlife authorities and communities in the Kafue National Park.

• South Luangwa Conservation Society

The SLCS works in conserving and restoring the natural environment in Zambia.

• Conservation Lake Tanganyika

Preserving the bio-diversity of Lake Tanganyika is the primary aim of the Conservation Lake Tanganyika (CLT) organization.

• Zambian Carnivore Programme

Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCT), a non-profit trust, works in conserving large carnivores.

• Conservation Lower Zambezi

This non-profit organization works closely in Lower Zambezi Natural Parks to provide safe refuge to elephants and other wildlife.

Impact of Zambia’s Wildlife on its economy

Zambia’s economy is largely dependent on its tourism sectors. And, the tourism sector provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of people in Zambia.

In recent years, Zambia has seen a surge in the number of foreign visitors which has boosted the local economy.  Wildlife and tourism also promote the local culture and tradition.

Top interesting facts on Zambia Wildlife

Zambia has an incredible diversity of wildlife, ranging from the famous African Big Five to endangered antelope species. Being home to a such large diversity of wildlife, here are some interesting facts about Zambia Wildlife.

• Zambia is one of six countries in this world, where wild dogs are still alive. And, the South Luangwa National Park is known as the valley of wild dogs.
  
• Zambia is full of open waterbodies, that’s the reason hippos are found everywhere. And the most interesting fact is the chances of spotting hippos on a Zambia Safari is 96%, the highest among other animals.
  
• One of the rarest bird species in the world, the Shoebill stork is still found in the northern port of Zambia.
  
• Zambia is home to more than 800 bird species. This number includes both migratory birds and native birds. Most of the migratory birds come from Canada and US.
  
• Zambia’s 30% of the land is reserved for wildlife. And, this country has 20 national parks and 34 game management areas.
  
• Zambia is home to more than 1200 lions one of the largest populations of lions in Africa. And Luangwa valley consists of the largest numbers of the lion population in Zambia.
  
• After the Masai -Mara -Serengeti migration, the Liuwa Plain in Zambia holds the second biggest wildebeest migration in Zambia.
  

Kafue National Park is the best birding destination in Zambia, it has over 478 bird species, which is more than half of the total bird species found in Zambia.

With its warm and vibrant, diversified culture and welcoming hospitality, world wonders and cascading landscapes of Safari, Zambia Wildlife offers a unique and unforgettable experience of a lifetime!