Situated in the Northern Province of Zambia – the Isangano National Park is a small park close to the Bangweulu swamps.

The park offers a different kind of appeal to many of Zambia’s other parks. It’s composed of mainly low-lying floodplains and flat well-watered grassland. The western side forms part of the Bangweulu wetlands which comes along with seasonal flooding and a profusion of birdlife.

The area was declared a national park and protected reserve in 1972, but unfortunately, the park went into decline many years ago due to the consequences of a lack of funds, infrastructure, support, and management – resulting in little wildlife and infrastructure in the park. However, since July 2007, the Zambian government started to take steps to preserve the wetlands and develop a viable community-friendly wildlife reserve. The opportunity exists to conserve and resuscitate the park back to its former status as a fully-fledged National Park.

As Zambia’s least visited wetland park, the bonus of this serene and tranquil park is that it is far away from bumbling crowds and offers a lush green setting and undisturbed forest silence.

The park lacks a maintained internal road network, but if you visit – it is advised to look further west to the Bangweulu area.

Size of Isangano National Park

Isangano National Park is a national park in the Northern Province of Zambia. It covers an area of 840 square kilometers. The park was declared a national park in 1972. It went into decline due to problems caused by human settlement and lack of funds. This has resulted in little wildlife and game in the park.

Location of Isangano National Park

Situated in the Northern Province of Zambia – the Isangano National Park is a small park close to the Bangweulu swamps.

How to get to Isangano National Park

The park lies in the Luwingu and Kasama districts in Luapula province and can be accessed from the west of Mpika or Mpulungu road near Chambeshi. Because of the remote location, there are few maintained roads accompanied by seasonal flooding. Therefore, a fully-equipped 4×4 vehicle or the accompaniment of a professional and knowledgeable guide or tour operator.

Things to do in Isangano National Park

Game Viewing

Wildlife in this park includes the black lechwe, tsessebe, reedbuck, Oribi, Sitatunga, elephant, African buffalo, crocodile as well as a hippopotamus. Zebra, antelope, hartebeest, roan antelope, eland, bushbuck, and the warthog may also be spotted however not in abundance.

Bird watching in the park

Isangano is another favorite habitat for various waterfowls and also many migratory species.

When to visit Isangano National Park

The dry season lasts from May to October and the weather is sunny and rarely rains. June to July is the best time to see big herds of lechwe and other grazers, while May to August is the best time to see the phenomenal shoebill stork. The low water levels allow for activities such as game drives and canoe trips, while the rainy season – November to April – makes driving difficult, so no game drives will be available. However, canoe trips are still available, and the area becomes a wetland paradise and haven for migratory birds. November brings the first rain and new grass attracting the lechwe and other grazers

Where to stay in Isangano national park

Due to an unmaintained background, the park has no facilities to speak of. It’s back to basics with no ablution blocks or electricity – but this doesn’t mean it’s not popular tourists. Plan an organized expedition, with a knowledgeable guide, and full personal camping equipment and you’re in for a real bush experience.