matnikstym

Hi Sonali, I know how much you want to see the cats and I've been doing research on Zambia. At the Kafue National Park (2nd largest park in the world) it is reputed to have prides of lions up to 20 strong, lots of cheetah and the largest leopard concentration in all of Africa. Hmmmm...maybe I'll head there the 3rd trip!
Dennis

johan_belgium

Dennis,

I was in Kafue in September 2005 for 6 days. I didn't see any cheetah but saw two magnificent prides of lions up to +/-15 strong on the Busanga plains. We saw leopards on every night drive around Lufupa.

There were good numbers of sable, roan and oribi on the busanga plains.

If you want to visit Kafue I would recommend to go late September/early October because going earlier makes it quite difficult to drive on black cotton soil. Be also prepared for lots of dust, heat and tse-tse flies.

I liked it all lot because of the variety of antelopes out there but I won't go there especially to see the big cats.

Greetings,

Johan

matnikstym

Johan-What camps did you stay at? Lunga river lodge sounds nice and one of the fly camps might be interesting too. The heat and the tse-tse's don't bother me too much, the dust might though. We had a freak rainstorm the first night in South Luangwa and there was no dust for the next 5 days.
Thanks for your answer. Did you file a trip report for your Kafue trip?
Dennis

sonali74

Hi Dennis, thanks alot for the info.If I had the choice I would go every month to africa. It's such a beautiful continent. I will definately try to incorporate Kafue in a later itiernary. Right now I am torn between botswana and serengeti. If I get a good air deal I am tempted to do both.Keep me posted on your sightings and trip report and we must make it a point to bump into each other at some high density lion area,cheers, Sonali.

johan_belgium

Dennis,

I stayed at Lufupa and Shumba (busanga trails). Their camps were quite basic but I booked them because of recommendations made by Chris McIntyre in his travel guide. I think Lunga river lodge would be on my list for next time (I spoke to people who have been there and they were very pleased.)

If you are looking for lions and cheetah in Kafue it's their camp at the Busange Plains you have to go to.

I didn't file any trip report yet. I would do so for my coming trips in 2006/2007.

Greetings,

Johan

Richard_Smith

Dennis

Lunga is good fun with nice variety of activities since you can walk (across the river outside the park), boat or canoe on the river as well as drive. The cantilevered deck over the river is a feat of engineering and the owner Ed Smythe, although not everyone's cup of tea, is one of Africa's great characters.

Busanga is a must in combination with Lunga as it is so different. One's senses are overawed as you come out of the scrubby forest onto the plains for the first time.

Wonderful places, overlooked by too many travellers to Africa and even those who have discovered the delights of Zambia.

Richard

sonali74

hello,

Which months and camps would be the best for lion viewing in kafue

I believe wildnerness owns some camps, who own's and operate's the other camps ??

Thanks, Sonali

nyama

Best place for lions in Kafue are the Busanga Plains. Last non-WS camp in the area is Plains Camp run by Mukambi Safari Lodge (www.mukambi.com). I've posted links to some of my camp pictures in the "Return of the rustic bush camps" thread, http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=35087947

nyama

I've been in the Plains in August, September and October. For game drives best time to visit is mid-August to mid-September. Before mid-August there's still too much water and game drive area is limited. To end of September the area becomes very dry and dusty.

sonali74

nyama,

Busanga plains sounds good, thanks,
Sonali

atravelynn

I agree with Busanga Plains. Now for which months--I was there mid-July and any return plans for me would be Sept or later. The unique antelope herds would be more accessible. That's what Johan stated also.

I saw 4 cheetah in Kafue, in 2 pairs of 2, all at night. That was over 5 nights.