National Parks
A DAZZLING VARIETY OF ANIMALS, BIRDS AND SCENERY
Z
ambia has 20 national parks and a further 36 mostly contiguous game management areas (GMAs) as well as a bird sanctuary.
Of the 20 parks, only nine are, in effect, fully developed in terms of tourism. There are opportunities to visit the remaining 11 on a mostly self-drive basis, but facilities are rudimentary. Taken together, the national parks and GMAs cover 232,000 sq km – roughly equivalent to the size of Romania or about 40 per cent of Zambia’s total land area. All parks are under the ultimate control of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), under the Ministry of Tourism and Arts. Nevertheless, a limited number of reserves are managed independently by trusts, in conjunction with the DNPW, on a day-to-day basis. The DNPW aims to integrate wildlife policy with economic, environmental and social policies to ensure an effective contribution to sustainable national development. The department is committed to promoting integrated and participatory approaches to wildlife resource management, especially in the GMAs, to reduce the conflict of interests between humans and wildlife. Zambia’s tourism is nature-based and most of the country’s biodiversity is contained within this extensive wildlife estate, which accounts for about 80 per cent of Zambia’s tourism activities. There are a few exceptions during the rainy season, but most national parks are accessible all year round. Parks with rivers and air strips can be accessing by water or by air. There is a truly excellent selection of lodges and bush camps both inside and outside the main national parks.
Bird sanctuary
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK: Zambia’s
In 2015 the Zambia Wildlife Authority took control of the Chembe Bird Sanctuary in Kalulushi with the aim of restoring the area to its former beauty and developing it as a tourist attraction.
most popular wildlife destination, and rightly so. South
The sanctuary is being fenced and restocked with both birds and animals and there are long-term plans to build lodges at Chembe.
highest concentration of hippo and crocodile. South
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Luangwa has large herds of elephant and buffalo, but also very high predator densities. It is home to the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe subspecies. The Luangwa River, a tributary of the Zambezi, supports Zambia’s Luangwa pioneered close-to-nature walking safaris and visitors enjoy excellent game viewing and accommodation of the highest quality in and around the park.