Situated on the south western edge of the Lake Bangweulu basin, this is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks. It's 450 km2 however, are so well endowed with rivers, lakes and wetlands, forests, lagoons, meadows and dambos that it supports a uniquely wide range of animals and abundant birds and fish. Do not expect to see large herds of animals round every corner, but it is surely one of the most picturesque parks in Zambia with superb birdlife.
About ten years ago Kasanka was in danger of becoming yet another defunct national park due to rampant poaching. David Lloyd, a British expatriate, who had lived in Zambia for many years visited the park in 1985 and heard the crack of gunshots. He concluded that if there was still poaching there must still be animals there and set out to save the park from total depletion. He teamed up with a local farmer, sought funding and along with much of their own resources applied for official permission to rehabilitate the park. They built tourist camps, roads and bridges and set up the Kasanka Trust to raise funds for this community based project.
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Slowly it began to earn a little money from tourists to help cover costs. Three years later the National Parks and Wildlife Services Department were sufficiently impressed to sign a 10 year agreement with the Trust allowing full management of the park in conjunction with National Parks & Wildlife Services and to develop it for tourism in partnership with the local community.
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Today, although there is still none of the heart-stopping walking safaris amongst elephant herds or any lions brushing past your open vehicle as in the larger parks, there are some of the rarest birds and animals in the country found in the beautiful miombo woodlands, swamp forest, grasslands, floodplains and riverine
bushveld, to be enjoyed in leisurely walks and drives. There are ample opportunities for fishing tiger fish, bream and barbel in the beautiful Luwombwa River. Boats are available for hire but you should bring your own tackle.
Recovering from depletion are hippo, sable antelope, and Liechtenstein’s hartebeest. The
Puku, once reduced to a few hundred, today exceed 1500. There are fairly big herds of the swamp dwelling
sitatunga, reedbuck, waterbuck, Sharpe’s grysbok and the rare blue monkey. Elephants also appear from time to time, and their numbers are expected to recover. Together with Kasanka’s noted
birdlife, the animals can be seen on guided walks through the grassy plains, mushitu forests, and large tracts of miombo woodland, riverine fringing forest and papyrus swamps.
Over 330 bird species have been recorded including such rarities as Pel’s fishing owl, the Pygmy goose, Ross’s
loerie, osprey and the wattled crane. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of the rare Shoebill stork.
WHEN TO GO:
Kasanka is open all year round. Birding is especially good in the wet season from November to March when migrants arrive from the north. Game viewing is best in the dry months from May to October.
GETTING THERE:
Take the Great North Road from Lusaka, turn right just after Kapiri Mposhi and left after Serenje on the road to
Samfya. Turn left at the 54km mark into the park at the Malaushi gate.
WHERE TO STAY:
Visitors are welcomed at the fully equipped safari camps: Luwombwa Camp, accommodating 10 guests with boats and canoes for meanderings down the exquisitely beautiful Luwombwa River. Wasa Camp, on the shores of Lake
Wasa, has six twin bed bungalows. Accommodation is simple but comfortable. Full catering is provided for fly-in clients and an experienced cook is on call for self catering clients. A campsite with washing and basic cooking facilities is located on the north western tip of the park.
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