Have you ever had the thought of seeing exceptional animals in the wild at less than 30 kilometers from the Capital? It seems absurd but it is possible to conceptualize such a bizarre but interesting idea when you visit one of Zambia’s Conservation Areas. While Nairobi National Park is to Kenya, Lusaka National Park is to Zambia and is situated at about 30 kilometers south-east of Lusaka City, making it the country’s most accessible and perfect stop point for tourists interested in exploring Game while in the close proximity of the City.
Established into a National Park in 2011 and officially opened for visitation in 2015, this wonderful destination is the country’s newest and 20th National Park. With an area of only 46 square kilometers (4600 hectares), Lusaka is also Zambia smallest Park and sits on an area that was formerly a Forest Reserve but is completely fenced to restrain wildlife from crossing to the metropolitan area. Lusaka is the second Park to be established near an urban area after Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Attractions within Lusaka National park
This small National Park is a home to numerous wildlife species (more than 22 species recorded) including white rhinos, blue wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, hartebeests, elands, black lechwe, axis deers, Puku, sable antelopes, warthogs, Nyala, greater and lesser kudus, Reedbucks, bushbucks, impalas, waterbucks and pangolins among others. Even with the many animals, it is the white rhinos that capture the attention of tourists and leave lasting memories.
The white rhinos here were imported from South Africa and are now guarded 24 hours in their holding pen where they spend most of their time roaming around hence making it easier to spot them here than it can be in other Parks.
Tourist Activities to enjoy within Lusaka National Park
Camping
The vast plains of this Zambian National Park make it possible to do outdoor Camping as a way of experiencing the wilderness closely.
Walking safaris
You can choose to take a leisurely walk where animals such as blue wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, hartebeests, elands, black lechwe, axis deers, Puku, sable antelopes, warthogs, greater and lesser kudus, Reedbucks and birds can be spotted easily and at close encounters.
Game viewing
With your open-roofed 4WD Vehicle, you can drive through some of the designated game tracks in Lusaka National park to spot the giraffes, zebras, warthogs, lechwe and hartebeests among others.
Bike rides
This is another of the extraordinary activities to enjoy while sighting the animals and explore the entire beauty of the Park. You can hire/rent the bikes from the Park much as they are rarely available.
How to Get to Lusaka National Park
This Park is just 4.5 kilometers off the Leopards Hill Road and when you reach Lusaka City, continue with the Leopards Hill road out of Town and after the boom, take the first road and continue right into Chifewema signposted road. From where you will take the first right road after a second speed bump you will have arrived at the large Gate of Lusaka National Park. You will then see a signpost at this turn and then take the next left road which will eventually lead you to the next signpost to the gate.
Therefore with the establishment of Zambia’s Lusaka National Park in 2011 (and official opening in 2015), it joins the long list of National Parks in this South African country including South and North Luangwa, Luambe, Lochinvar, West Lunga, Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Parks.
