The allure of Kafue National Park is its complete and utter untamed beauty. It is so off-the-beaten-track that most of it is only accessible by light aircraft, especially the north-east where most of the park’s camps are situated. Nanzhila Plains however, offers a superb alternative to the hard-to-reach north-east corner of Zambia’s biggest conservation area.

Conveniently located in the remote southern section of Kafue, Nanzhila can be reached by driving from both the airport of Livingstone (near Victoria Falls). Being the only safari lodge in the southern Kafue means that you will have a pristine wilderness of about 741 300 acres all to yourself – that’s almost double the size of greater London.

Nanzhila overlooks a well-frequented dambo (a set of complex shallow wetlands) and tucked underneath the canopy of a huge jackalberry tree. Go on daily game drives to encounter four members of the Big 5 (there are no rhino in Kafue), in the miombo and mopani woodlands where you may spot elephants or the black cotton soil plains in search of lion, cheetah, wild dog and hyena. You will also have an excellent chance of sighting at least 10 distinct species of antelope including rare sable, roan and oribi. The area is a birdwatcher’s mecca of over 500 recorded species and offers near-guaranteed sightings of black-cheeked love birds. Other feathered varieties include Chaplin’s barbet, wattled crane, racket-tailed rollers and Pel’s fishing owl. Fascinating night drives give you a chance to spot the shy, nocturnal creatures of Nanzhila Plains like bushbabies, civet and genet and porcupine.

This area of the park is best known for diversity of wildlife and enjoying the surroundings with no other vehicles. Experience the traditional search from tracks, no radios, and  respectfully watch animals who are not used to vehicles as this area is flooded for 7 months of the year leaving the environment in peace every year. Visit their sister Lake Camp in the central region of the park from here for a different and complimentary game experience then onward to the Northern Busanga Plains or Lusaka.