Kafue National Park is in western and central Zambia and is the country’s largest national park, covering about 22,400 square kilometers. The park takes its name from the Kafue River, which runs through the protected area and supports a wide range of wetlands, floodplains, grasslands, and woodland. Much of the park is covered by miombo woodland, while the northern Busanga Plains form extensive seasonal wetlands that become open grassland as floodwaters recede. The combination of habitats gives Kafue a broad ecological range and supports an unusually diverse collection of wildlife.

The park is closely connected with communities living around its boundaries, where fishing, farming, livestock keeping, and other rural activities remain important. The Kafue River provides water and fish for surrounding communities, while seasonal wetlands support traditional fishing activities when conditions allow. Conservation in the park involves Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife together with tourism operators and conservation organizations. The protected area is also important for maintaining habitats that extend beyond its boundaries, linking wildlife conservation with the wider landscapes and communities of western and central Zambia.

The Busanga Plains are among Kafue’s most notable landscapes, with seasonal flooding creating rich grazing areas for large herds of red lechwe, puku, buffalo, wildebeest, and other antelope. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, and spotted hyenas are also found in the park. The Kafue River provides habitat for hippos and crocodiles and offers opportunities for boat safaris and fishing in designated areas. Other activities include guided walks, game drives, night drives, canoeing, and birdwatching. More than 490 bird species have been recorded across the park’s varied habitats.

Food associated with the surrounding communities includes nshima, a staple made from maize meal, commonly served with vegetables, beans, fish, or meat. Fresh fish from the Kafue River and nearby waterways is an important part of local diets, particularly in communities with access to seasonal fishing grounds. One of Kafue’s distinctive ecological features is the contrast between its dry woodland and seasonally flooded dambos, which retain water and provide grazing areas after surrounding vegetation dries. The park also contains teak and mopane woodland, while the Kafue River eventually flows into the Zambezi, connecting the park to a much larger river system.