Park Bigger Than Israel Split Up to Fight Poaching
Kafue National Park is massive, bigger than the whole of Israel. But for years, its size made it hard to manage properly. To fight poaching and respond faster to emergencies, the park was recently split into smaller, more manageable zones. This new system helps teams cover the ground better, keep a stronger presence, and protect the park’s wildlife more effectively.
Managing a park of this size is no easy task. Kafue stretches over 2.2 million hectares, which, as mentioned, makes it larger than some countries. For a long time, the park was divided into just two huge administrative zones.
On paper, that might have seemed like a simple solution. But in reality, each zone was so large that management teams struggled to stay on top of what was happening across the park. It often took too long to respond to fires, poaching, or other incidents, and teams were stretched too thin to maintain roads, camps, and infrastructure, or to keep a consistent conservation presence on the ground.
Realising this, park management introduced a new approach. Instead of two oversized zones, they reorganised Kafue into five smaller, clearly defined sectors:
Ngoma
By Google Maps
Ngoma is one of the oldest and most important areas in Kafue National Park. It’s found in the far south of the park and has always been the heart of park operations. For many years, the main headquarters for Kafue were based in Ngoma, and even today, it remains a key hub for management, conservation, and tourism.
The area is surrounded by classic Kafue landscapes with open grasslands, Miombo woodlands, and patches of riverine forest. It’s also known for big herds of animals, including buffalo, antelope, and elephants, as well as healthy populations of predators like lions and leopards.
Kaingu
By Google Maps
Kaingu is one of the key areas around Kafue National Park. It’s based along the Kafue River, in the southern-central part of the park. This stretch of river is full of little islands, rocks, and calm channels, making it one of the most scenic parts of the whole park.
The area is known for its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful landscapes, picture granite boulders, big shady trees, and the sound of the river flowing by. Wildlife is all around too, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a huge diversity of birds.
Chunga
By Google Maps
Chunga sits right in the middle of Kafue National Park and is known as the park’s main headquarters today. It’s where most of the park’s management and law enforcement teams are based, making it the operational heart of Kafue. From Chunga, it’s easier for teams to move across different parts of the park, especially with the new sector system in place.
The area around Chunga is made up of rolling plains, woodlands, and open spaces that attract all sorts of wildlife. You’ll often find elephants, antelope, and predators nearby. Its central position also makes it a good stopover point for travellers exploring different parts of Kafue.
Lufupa
By Google Maps
Lufupa is one of the most popular areas for visitors in Kafue National Park. It’s found in the northern part of the park, where the Lufupa River joins the Kafue River, creating wide floodplains, river channels, and lush green surroundings. This mix of water and open space makes it a magnet for wildlife, especially during the dry season when animals gather around the river.
The area is known for its beautiful scenery, with big trees along the riverbanks and open plains stretching into the distance. You’ll often spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a wide range of birds here. It’s also one of the best places in Kafue to see predators like lions and leopards.
Lunga
By Google Maps
Lunga is one of the more remote and peaceful areas of Kafue National Park. It’s located in the northern parts of the park, along the Lunga River, which winds its way through thick forests and woodland. This part of the park feels wild and untouched, making it perfect for people who want to experience true wilderness.
The Lunga area is rich in birdlife and smaller animals, and if you’re lucky, you might come across elephants or leopards moving quietly through the trees. Because it’s far from the busier parts of the park, Lunga is known for its quiet atmosphere and beautiful, untouched landscapes.
Kafue’s new system of smaller, clearly defined sectors has made all the difference. Management teams can now respond quicker to problems like poaching or fires, keep a better presence on the ground, and take care of the park’s infrastructure more effectively. It’s a practical solution for a wild, remote place that remains one of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries that is home to incredible animals, vast landscapes, and some of the last true wilderness areas left.