Lochinvar National Park
(Zambia)
Zambia Safaris - Lochinvar National Park
The Park is situated on the southern edge of the Kafue Flats, a wide floodplain
of the Kafue River between Itezhi tezhi dam in the west and Kafue Gorge in the
east. The area extends for 33kms from the Kafue River in the north to low wooded
hills in the south. It includes the large, shallow Chunga Lagoon which
fluctuates considerably in size with variations in river levels. The varying
vegetation makes it an interesting park to visit with floodplains, woodlands and
termitaria
It is particularly well known for the large herds of Kafue lechwe, unique to the
Kafue flats. Other antelope are the blue wildebeest, kudu, oribi and buffalo.
Waterbirds are especially abundant.
The Kafue Flats floodplain, in the northern section, floods from the Kafue
River, and here you’ll find thousands upon thousands of the endemic Kafue lechwe,
one of three subspecies of lechwe found in Zambia. More than 30 000 of them make
the flats their home and move seasonally according to the flood level.
At high water, massive herds may be seen along the upper floodline and in the
open grassland further south. As the floods recede the herds move north into the
grassy floodplain. They feed on grasses and herbs in water up to a meter deep
and are often seen wading or swimming in the Chunga Lagoon. Mating takes place
mainly between December and January. Males fight over small territories known as
leks and then mate with several females.
Anytime of the year is accessible although care is needed in the wet season
after heavy rains. A 4WD is not necessary although advantageous in the rainy
season as road conditions vary according to last rainfall and when the roads
were last graded. Peak floods are reached in May at the end of the rainy season,
while the water is at its lowest in October and November at the end of the dry
season. The profusion of birds is extensive during the wet season when migrants
arrive from the north. The game however is easier to spot in the dry season.
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