Why visit Mana and Kafue in peak season

In Zambia’s Kafue National Park, the Kafue River and its tributaries, including the Lunga and Lufupa rivers, overflow, inundating the park’s plains. Localised rain contributes to rising water levels, which in turn slows down tourism as the floodplains become inaccessible, and many animals move deeper into the woodlands for shelter and to breed.

Similarly, in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, the Zambezi River rises and overflows, pushing wildlife inland. The thick forests provide a safe haven where animals, such as elephants, lions, and antelope, use this period to give birth under the safety of the tree canopies. For safari enthusiasts, this means fewer sightings during these months as the floodplains become flooded and inaccessible for game drives.

Visitors who travel to Mana Pools and Kafue at the end of the dry season, before the camps close, catch the first wave of the summer migrants. In Kafue, intra-African migrants like yellow-billed kites and violet-backed starlings arrive as early as the end of August, followed by grey-headed kingfishers and other species from September onwards. 

In Mana Pools, southern carmine bee-eaters arrive and nest in the banks of the Zambezi between August and October. 

Despite the retreat of large mammals, these areas transform into avian paradises. With flooded wetlands and increased moisture levels, birdlife flourishes. Migratory birds and resident species take advantage of the bounty brought by the rains to breed. For the months that our camps are closed, these species enjoy a protected haven; a place to rest, nest, begin raising their chicks and fatten up before they make their journeys north. The variety is unmatched, including aquatic species, which thrive in the temporary ponds created by the rains.

The clay soils, particularly in the floodplains, play a key role in sustaining this vibrant birdlife. By retaining moisture, these soils support a range of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, which attract bird species, amphibians, and other wildlife. However, these same soils make it difficult to navigate the area during the rainy season, contributing to the seasonal closure of camps.

As the rains taper off and the rivers recede, the landscapes in both Mana Pools and Kafue undergo a transformation. Grasslands begin to thrive, and as the floodplains dry out, wildlife returns. Larger mammals such as elephants, buffalo, and antelope reclaim the plains, attracted by the new growth.

When the airstrips are cleared and ready, the camps reopen, offering guests the opportunity to witness this phenomenal change in landscape. This is the perfect time to visit, as the wilderness comes alive with fresh vegetation, abundant wildlife, and fewer visitors, ensuring a more intimate experience.

Mana Pools is renowned for its beauty and wide range of safari activities, making it an ideal destination for long stays. Situated in private concessions bookending the national park, Wilderness’s Ruckomechi and Chikwenya camps are perfectly located to provide an immersive and varied safari experience away from crowded areas within Mana Pools. Spending time at both camps allows guests to enjoy different sides of this extraordinary park.

Ruckomechi is famous for its prolific wildlife sightings, particularly of predators like lions, leopards, and wild dogs. The camp’s game drives offer guests a front-row seat to these thrilling encounters. In addition, Ruckomechi’s location along the river means that elephants are frequently seen drinking and swimming to the islands, as well as foraging under the albida trees around the camp.

Chikwenya, located on the eastern end of Mana Pools, offers a completely different experience. Renowned for its walking safaris and river access, this camp invites guests to fully immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the floodplains. After a stay at Ruckomechi, a visit to Chikwenya allows for a peaceful exploration of the area’s stunning landscapes.

The landscapes and vegetation in the two areas are sufficiently varied, so consider spending at least two nights at one of our Ruckomechi camps and Chikwenya.

The rich, nutritious pods of the albida trees surrounding the camp attract elephants, and sightings are regular. Ruckomechi offers a variety of experiences, from game drives to boating trips, canoeing on the mighty Zambezi River, nature walks, and a sleepout at Parachute Pan.

The Chikwenya area is a compact concentration of scenic habitats (woodlands, floodplains, pans, islands, and two iconic rivers) teeming with thrilling and diverse wildlife. For the traditionalist who wants to see the iconic albida forests, Chikwenya offers the opportunity to see elephants on their hind legs reaching up for the pods.

With its exceptionally beautiful location on the floodplains that sweep down to the broad Zambezi and views onto the dazzling Rift Valley mountains beyond, Chikwenya is noted for exceptional sightings from ‘your armchair’ in camp – not only for the ever-present elephants and diverse bird species, but abundant plains game seen passing through – sometimes even followed by predators.

Both areas are home to iconic wildlife, including large herds of buffalos and elephants, kudu, Burchell's zebras, waterbuck, and warthogs, and their predators, including lions, wild dogs, leopards, and cheetahs. Hippos and Nile crocodiles are abundant in the rivers. 

As private-access areas neighbouring Mana Pools National Park, both areas play an essential role in protecting what is considered one of the great wildlife spectacles on the continent and in preserving a feel of real wilderness. 

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s oldest protected area and, at 2.25 million hectares (5.5 million acres), one of the largest in Africa. It is thrillingly remote, wild, and diverse. 

A member of the UNESCO Biosphere Network, Kafue is an essential refuge for vulnerable and rarer species, as well as the area's famous lions. Birdlife is prolific, and with 491 species, twitchers are in heaven, with the range-restricted Fülleborn's longclaw and Chaplin's barbet likely to be seen. 

To the north, seasonal floodplains and far-reaching, wildlife-rich wetlands dominate the area – including the Busanga Plains, the jewel of Kafue National Park and an important Ramsar-recognised wetland system. The further south you travel, the drier it becomes. 

The Lunga, Lufupa, and Kafue rivers – the major water courses that feed and drain the Park – are lined with riverine forest, and the landscape is further patterned with broad-leaved miombo woodland, floodplains, and island thickets. All these provide exceptional biodiversity and a great diversity of activities, from boating, birding, and walking safaris, to classic game drives.