Day and night game drives on Kafue’s Busanga Plains offer an environment that is markedly different from Zambia’s other safari outposts, with a feel more reminiscent of the famous open plains of East Africa (although far more remote). The focus here is on big game, especially the area’s distinctive cats: the prides of tree climbing lions and Zambia’s most sizeable population of cheetah, who love the opportunity to stretch their legs and tear across the wide open plains. Other regular sightings include buffalo, elephant, hippo and a virtually unmatched range of antelope, including large herds of red lechwe ploughing through the watery floodplains, as well as wildebeest, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest and roan antelope.

Night drives don’t offer the same excellent leopard viewing opportunities as elsewhere in Zambia, but there is fascinating nocturnal behaviour to observe, including regular lion hunts and kills. Early mornings and evenings also promise sensational scenery and colours, with spectacular sunsets while enjoying bush sundowners. Game drives in the Lufupa area are more centred on the riverine and woodland habitats that Zambia is renowned for, but most of the major species are still visible, and there are greater chances of seeing leopard on night drives.