Kafue is wild, remote and challenging. Over such a vast tapestry there is a diverse range of habitats, from permanently flowing rivers to lush woodland, with a number of wide open plains more reminiscent of East Africa. This permits an impressive range of activities, including game drives, boat cruises, walks and fishing. Access can be difficult, with few good roads and long distances to cover, but once you arrive in the Kafue National Park there is a delicious feeling of isolation. Perhaps the best way to arrive is by helicopter to the Busanga Plains, an entrance that combines style and luxury with unique views of the park’s wildlife.

The centrepiece of the Kafue is the impressive Busanga Plains, a permanently flooded swampland with unique wildlife to seek out. This is the home of Kafue’s famous tree climbing lions, their unusual ascensions driven by the demands of living near permanent flood waters. Big cat lovers will also enjoy looking for cheetah, far more likely to be spotted here than anywhere else in Zambia. The elusive sitatunga antelope is uniquely adapted to swamp life, with its water proof coat and strong swimming skills, while the plains are also a perfect home for large herds of red lechwe. Despite poaching issues in the 1980s, recent conservation projects have realised excellent results, leaving a significant volume of wildlife to enjoy in the Kafue. Although costs of visiting can be high, this combination of genuine remoteness and excellent wildlife makes it very attractive to safari purists.