Kafue National Park

🇿🇲 Zambia

🦁 Lion Roars Across Kafue's Plains
🌍 #25 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #20 in Africa #20 in Savanna & Grassland
Southern Africa, Zambia 1233 spp. recorded

Kafue National Park is a protected savanna and riverine wilderness situated in the heart of Zambia. Its vast expanse features open grasslands, dense woodland, and permanent river channels that shape the region's diverse ecosystems.

-14.527° S   26.018° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Puku
NT

Puku

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus vardonii

70–80% · Very likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

60–70% · Likely
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

60–70% · Likely
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

50–60% · Likely
Tropical Boubou

Tropical Boubou

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius major

50–60% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

50–60% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

50–60% · Likely
African Wattled Lapwing
LC

African Wattled Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus senegallus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Puku
NT

Puku

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus vardonii

70–80% · Very likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

50–60% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

50–60% · Likely
Kinda Baboon
LC

Kinda Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio kindae

50–60% · Likely
Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

40–50% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

40–50% · Likely
Malbrouck Monkey
LC

Malbrouck Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus cynosuros

40–50% · Likely
Roan Antelope
LC

Roan Antelope

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippotragus equinus

40–50% · Likely
Hartebeest
LC

Hartebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alcelaphus buselaphus

40–50% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

70–80% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

60–70% · Likely
Tropical Boubou

Tropical Boubou

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Laniarius major

50–60% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

50–60% · Likely
African Wattled Lapwing
LC

African Wattled Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus senegallus

50–60% · Likely
Grey Go-Away-Bird
LC

Grey Go-Away-Bird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corythaixoides concolor

50–60% · Likely
Bateleur
EN

Bateleur

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Terathopius ecaudatus

50–60% · Likely
Black-backed Puffback
LC

Black-backed Puffback

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryoscopus cubla

50–60% · Likely
Black-collared Barbet
LC

Black-collared Barbet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lybius torquatus

50–60% · Likely
White-backed Vulture
CR

White-backed Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gyps africanus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

60–70% · Likely
Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis wahlbergii

50–60% · Likely
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

40–50% · Likely
Chobe Dwarf Gecko
LC

Chobe Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus chobiensis

20–30% · Possible
Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelusios sinuatus

20–30% · Possible
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

Insufficient data
Olive Whip Snake
LC

Olive Whip Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Psammophis mossambicus

Insufficient data
Common Tiger Snake
LC

Common Tiger Snake

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Telescopus semiannulatus

Insufficient data
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

Insufficient data
Olive Marsh Snake
LC

Olive Marsh Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Natriciteres olivacea

Insufficient data
Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko
LC

Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Chondrodactylus laevigatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

40–50% · Likely
African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

Insufficient data
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Kivu Reed Frog
LC

Kivu Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius kivuensis

Insufficient data
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data
Powers Clawed Frog
LC

Powers Clawed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Xenopus poweri

Insufficient data
Bocage's Tree Frog
LC

Bocage's Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Leptopelis bocagii

Insufficient data
African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

Insufficient data
Margined Reed Frog
LC

Margined Reed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hyperolius marginatus

Insufficient data
Mababe puddle frog
LC

Mababe puddle frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Phrynobatrachus mababiensis

Insufficient data
Angolan Reed Frog
LC

Angolan Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius parallelus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Dry Season Floodplain Concentration

JunJulAugSepOct

Hippos and lechwes gather in dense herds along the Kafue River’s shrinking pools, creating unparalleled wildlife spectacles. The hippo’s grazing maintains open water channels, while lechwes graze on exposed floodplain grasses.

Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

60–70% · Likely
Lechwe

Lechwe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus leche

30–40% · Possible
🦌

Peak Predator Activity

JunJulAugSepOct

Lions and wild dogs dominate the dry-season hunt, preying on concentrated herds of puku, impala, and zebra. Night drives reveal these predators in action, especially near water sources.

Painted Hunting Dog
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
🐸

Rains and Amphibian Emergence

MarAprMaySepOctNov

Grey foam-nest treefrogs and African split-skin toads erupt in chorus after rains, transforming wetlands into a symphony of sound. Their breeding coincides with the first flush of insect life, attracting bats and birds.

African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

Insufficient data
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

40–50% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
Lion
40–50
30–40
30–40
30–40
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
Painted Hunting Dog
30–40
10–20
10–20
20–30
10–20
30–40
60–70
40–50
30–40
5–10
5–10
5–10
Common Hippopotamus
20–30
30–40
30–40
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
Puku
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
Common Bulbul
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
African Fish-Eagle
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
Cape Turtle Dove
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
80–90
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
African Bush Elephant
20–30
30–40
30–40
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
40–50
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
Nile Crocodile
20–30
30–40
20–30
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
80–90
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
Northern Bushbuck
20–30
50–60
20–30
40–50
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
30–40
60–70
70–80
30–40
Tropical Boubou
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
40–50
Common Warthog
20–30
30–40
20–30
40–50
20–30
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
30–40
Hadada
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
African Wattled Lapwing
60–70
30–40
40–50
20–30
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
Animal Events
🦌 Dry Season Floodplain Concentration
🦌 Peak Predator Activity
🐸 Rains and Amphibian Emergence

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🦁 Lion Roars Across Kafue's Plains

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
890
🐒 Mammals
183
🦎 Reptiles
101
🐸 Amphibians
59
1233 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
41 Threatened 4 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
63%
📊
Coverage (311 species at ≥5% of 1233 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
25%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 mammal, 5 bird, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
76%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
221
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
45
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
49

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Kafue National Park?

The most likely sightings are Puku (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Common Bulbul (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Fish-Eagle (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Common Hippopotamus (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Cape Turtle Dove (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1233 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Kafue National Park for wildlife?

August has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Lion in Kafue National Park?

Yes — about 60% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Kafue National Park, based on 34 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Painted Hunting Dog in Kafue National Park?

Yes — about 29% of wildlife watchers report a Painted Hunting Dog sighting in Kafue National Park, based on 10 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Common Hippopotamus in Kafue National Park?

Yes — about 65% of wildlife watchers report a Common Hippopotamus sighting in Kafue National Park, based on 41 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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