Once it was bequeathed to the nation in 1904, land belonging to an old colonial farmhouse under a preservation order, returned to its wild state. Lochinvar's huge swath of unique wetland and beautiful floodplain savannah was subsequently deemed to be important enough to be granted World Heritage Status.

This park of exceptional beauty is situated on the Kafue River floodplain, easily accessible midway between Livingstone and Lusaka. It extends from the Kafue River in the north, to low wooded hills in the south and includes the Chunga Lagoon whose levels fluctuate according to river flow. Within the park are two National Monument sites: Sebanzi Hill iron-age village site which has dramatic views over the

surrounding flats and thick bushland, and the sulphurous Gwisho Hot Springs whose saline deposits attract animals who delight in licking the salt. Lochinvar is a tranquil hideaway far from the main safari circuits, offering peace and beauty together with ever-changing waterscapes. Local villagers are also part of the eco system and support themselves by fishing from mokoro dug-out canoes.

ANIMALS AND BIRDS
The glinting waterways attract an incredible number of birds and masses of antelopes on the Kafue floodplains, including about 2,000 blue wildebeest and the last stronghold of approximately 30,000 graceful, aquatic Kafue lechwe.

Big game is restricted to hippo and buffalo and predators include leopard and spotted hyena. With over 400 species of birds there are always plenty to see.

SEASONS
Zambia has three main seasons:
Hot Rainy Season: December to March is hot, humid and rainy with an abundance of insects. Lodges often close from December to March, as roads become impassable. Expect midday temperatures of at least 82°F (28°C)
Cool Dry Winter: May to September is cool and dry with pleasant mid-term temperatures around 75°F (24°C). Night temperatures go down to 46°F (8°C). Warm clothing is advisable for winter evenings.
Hot Dry Season: October and November becomes hotter reaching approximately 95°F (35°C).
The best time to visit Lochinvar is during the dry months from June to November.

LOCHINVAR SPECIALITIES

• Mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions
• Guided walks
• Sitatunga rare aquatic antelope
• Sport fishing
• Night drives
• Cultural visits to nearby fishing villages
• Hot springs
• Iron-age archaeological sites
• Exquisite ‘Out of Africa’ lodges
• Outstanding birding opportunities

FACTS
This is a malarial area
The park is 428 square kilometres.

Articles

Find More

Safari Seasons

Russell Weston 6th Jun 2019

These occurrences like the great wildlife migration in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, seasonal floods in the Okavango Delta, the Cape spring flower displays, the sardine run or the times when whales visit the African shores, draw a great deal of interest. Popular Safari Travel seasons are also influenced by a number of factors. Besides the natural wildlife occurrences, most …

Private Safari Concessions

Russell Weston 4th Apr 2019

A concession gives the operator the exclusive rights to make the area private, beyond the access of the general public. Vast tracts of the most sort after wildlife areas are divided up into manageable blocks and allocated into concessions for private and commercial use. Private companies are awarded the privilege of operating luxury safari establishments and exclusive activities, based on …

Traversing and your Safari Experience

Russell Weston 4th Apr 2019

Some Safari lodges and camps occupy relatively small territories and need to make an arrangement with the larger land owners to extend their game drives into the adjacent area. This special permission is highly monitored and strictly controlled. Traversing rights come at a high cost and are based on vehicles having access within a quota arrangement. Most of the sorts …

Safari Activities

Russell Weston 4th Sep 2018

Game Drives All game drives are undertaken in an open sided 4×4 drive vehicle with a driver / naturalist who has experience and knowledge of the area, and is thus an expert on game movement and other ecological aspects of the region. Drives usually depart in the early morning and late afternoon when it is cooler and there is a …

Lochinvar and Lechwe Plains

Articles