For a Kafue River and wildlife safari experience, few can compare to KaingU Safari Lodge in Zambia. The lodge has a riverside setting and is located opposite the great Kafue National Park.
Zambia is one of the last really great undiscovered gems of Africa, it is bordered on all sides by 8 different countries and adventure lovers and intrepid travellers return again and again for a slice of real Africa away from mass tourism.
Kafue National Park located in the central-western region of Zambia is the country's oldest park and one of the largest in the world. A vast majority of the park is dominated by woodland opening out into broad grassy areas with riverine forest on the fringes of the Kafue River.
The northern section of the Park is often spoken of as an undiscovered gem. The floodplains, fed by the Lufupa River recede after flooding creating rich grasslands which attract many antelope.
The south of the Park is characterised by Kalahari Sandveld, Mopane forests and grasslands. Three great rivers feed the park the Lungu, Lufupa and Kafue and here is a great diversity of wildlife.
Kafue National Park is really an underrated safari destination. The Park is isolated and has and underdeveloped tourist infrastructure making safaris here a somewhat more rugged experience, but immensely rewarding.
It is a vast wilderness combined with interesting and sometimes spectacular game and scenery viewing, adding up to a superb safari experience at KaingU Safari Lodge.
Getting there by road
The lodge arranges luxury air-conditioned 8 seat transfers in a 4 x 4 from Lusaka to KaingU, whether it is from the airport or from a hotel.
Getting their by aircraft
Guests can take scheduled services in to Lusaka or use the closest airstrip which is at Puku Pan however this is only during the dry season, it is closed from December to March in the rainy season.
Distances and flying times
- Lusaka to Puku Pan is 265km (165 miles) / 50-70 minutes
- Livingstone to Puku Pan is 295km (183 miles) / 55-75 minutes
Self-Drive
Self drive Guests should note that access to the lodge is usually good but a vehicle with a high clearance will need to be used, preferably a utility vehicle as the location is remote.
Self-drive directions from Lusaka
- From Lumumba Road in the Lusaka CBD, take the Great West Road towards Mongu - this is the Mumbwa Road (M9).
- At the Nangoma Mission, re-fuel as this is the last reliable fuel stop. 151km (94 miles) from Lusaka, you reach the Mumbwa turn-off. If necessary, go into the town to refuel, otherwise bypass it and continue on the M9.
- At the 217km (135 miles) mark (GPS 14-58.28S, 26-27.08E) turn left (south) onto the Itezhi-Tezhi road.
- After 50km (31 miles) on this road, one reaches the ZAWA Mweegwa wildlife check point (GPS 15-16.53S, 26-14.94E). 3km (2 miles) further on from this point (GPS 15-17.89S, 26-14.17E) turn right (West) at the KaingU Lodge/Puku Pans signs.
- Travel 25km (15.5 miles) along a bush track to the next KaingU Lodge sign (GPS 15-12.02S, 26-04.25E) and turn left (South). Continue on for 18km (11 miles), crossing the Mweengwa Pole Bridge and follow the signs into the KaingU Lodge camp.
Self-drive directions from Livingstone
- From Livingstone, take the T1 towards Lusaka.
- At Kalomo town (124km or 77 miles) (GPS 15-17.83S 25-58.69E) turn northwards towards the Ndundumwense entrance gate of the Kafue National Park. This is 70km (43.5 miles) from Kalomo. NOTE!! Re-fuel at Kalomo as this is the last reliable fuel stop!
- From Ndundumwense, take the road to Ngoma, the southern HQ of the Kafue National Park. You will travel through the Nanzhila Plains or along the Cordon Road depending on the season and road conditions. Ask for information on specific directions and conditions at the entrance gate to the Park.
- From Ngoma, proceed to Itezhi-Tezhi, passing the Musungwa and New Kalala Lodges en-route (22km 14 miles).
- From Itezhi-Tezhi, travel north for 60km (37 miles) to the KaingU Lodge sign (GPS 15-17.89S, 26-14.17E) and turn left (West) onto the bush track.
- Proceed to the next KaingU Lodge sign 25km (16 miles) further on (GPS 15-12.02S, 26-04.25E) and turn left (South). Continue on for 18km (11 miles), crossing the Mweengwa Pole Bridge and follow the signs into the KaingU Lodge camp.
