Question 1

How is Kafue National Park structured?

Accepted Answer

Kafue can broadly be divided into three different regions: Southern Kafue   with open grasslands and river areas. Central Kafue , where forests, riverbanks and open plains alternate. Northern Kafue , with the famous   Busanga Plains . Each region has its own landscape and wildlife. That makes it worthwhile to spend several nights in Kafue.

Question 2

How many days do you recommend for Kafue?

Accepted Answer

Kafue is vast, and the distances within the park are considerable. It is therefore worth looking into which of the park’s three areas you would like to visit and whether you are travelling at the right time to visit the Busanga Plains. We personally think the central and northern parts of the park are the most beautiful, but recommend allowing 3 nights for each area if you would like to see all of Kafue.

Question 3

What is the story of Princess of Busanga?

Accepted Answer

Princess  is a famous lioness from the  Papyrus Pride  in the  Busanga Plains  (Kafue National Park, Zambia). Her behaviour is a perfect example of a clever survival strategy used by lionesses in the wild.  When a new coalition of male lions takes over a territory, they often kill all the cubs present (infanticide). They do this so that the lionesses quickly become fertile again and can give birth to their offspring.  Princess used an evolutionary survival trick to prevent this: Paternity confusion : She deliberately mated with several males from different coalitions that entered her territory. Protection : Because lions do not know who the biological father is, each male assumes that the cubs are his. As a result, they leave the young alive instead of biting them to death.   Thanks to this tactic, Princess successfully raised her cubs and protected them from the deadly instincts of new intruders. Her mother, the legendary lioness named  Killing Machine , often helped her hunt and protect the pride.

Question 4

When can you visit the Busanga Plains?

Accepted Answer

The Busanga Plains are generally accessible from around  July to October . The exact period depends on the water level. During and shortly after the rainy season, large parts of the plains are flooded and the roads are impassable.

Question 5

Why visit Kafue with Beyond Routes?

Accepted Answer

We have explored several parts of Kafue ourselves, so we know how much difference there is between the south, the central area and Busanga.  That is precisely why we advise not only on   which route   you should take, but also   where   you should stay.  During a Travel Consult, we look together at how much time you have and which parts of Kafue are best suited to it. This way, you get the most out of one of Zambia's most beautiful and underrated national parks.

Question 6

What are the Busanga Plains?

Accepted Answer

The Busanga Plains are among Zambia’s best-known safari areas. During the dry season, the vast grasslands become a paradise for predators and large herds of antelope. Lions, cheetahs and large groups of buffalo are seen here regularly in particular. Busanga is  accessible for only a few months each year , as the area is largely flooded during the rainy season. In addition, there are  no campsites  on the Busanga Plains. The nearest campsite for self-drivers is over an hour outside the Busanga Plains.

Question 7

Which animals can you see in Kafue?

Accepted Answer

Kafue is known for its enormous biodiversity. You may see: lions; leopards; cheetahs (especially on the Busanga Plains); wild dogs; elephants; buffalo; hippos; countless antelope species; more than 500 bird species. Precisely because the different landscapes vary so greatly, the wildlife also changes from region to region. Several large lion prides live on the Busanga Plains, and here you may encounter, among others, the Princess of the Busanga or one of her cubs.