Lavushi Manda is a picturesque park with rolling hills, a rich riparian forest, and striking rocky outcrops. Though the park is fairly large at 1,500km2, poaching over the last few decades has grossly reduced the number of animals found within the park’s boundaries and tourist infrastructure and roads are limited at best. However, a new development project that began in 2011 in affiliation with the Kasanka Trust looks to up the anti-poaching drive and improve roads, so it would be worth monitoring the park’s progress in the months and years to come.

Lavushi Manda National Park (LMNP, 1500 km2) holds vast stretches of pristine hill miombo woodlands; large dambo wet grasslands, as well as gallery forests along the headwaters of the Lukulu and Lulimala rivers. A 40 km long dramatic rocky massif runs through the center. The park covers a large part of the Lukulu and Lulimala river catchments immediately above the ecologically richest part of the Bangweulu floodplains/swamps. The park is of major importance for African and Palearctic migrants and serves as an upland wildlife refuge for ungulates of the Bangweulu in the wet season such as the Roan, Sable, and Hartebeest. Although largely depleted, recent visits show there is still an excellent variety of large mammals present in small numbers, including Lion and Leopard. Possibly the last observation of a wild Black Rhinoceros in Zambia was made in LMNP in the late eighties, suggesting the park is highly suitable for reintroduction of the species.

Size of Lavushi Manda national park

Lavushi Manda National Park (LMNP, 1500 km2) holds vast stretches of pristine hill miombo woodlands; large dambo wet grasslands, as well as gallery forests along the headwaters of the Lukulu and Lulimala rivers

Location of Lavushi manda national park

The national is located in the Muchinga Province of Zambia with an area of 1,500 sq km. It is part of the Central Zambezian miombo woodlands Ecoregion. It is the 11th largest of the 20 National Parks in Zambia.

How to get to Lavushi Manda national park

The National Park can be located using the GPS Co-Ordinates: -12.333312, 30.833269

Coming from the east, turn to the Lavushi Manda entrance from the Mpika-Serenje road. It is about 60 km south of Mpika. The turning to Lavushi Manda from the main Mpika–Serenje road is about 141 km northeast of the turning to Mansa and Kasanka National Park. There is another road across the TAZARA railway line, which enters the park after 12 km via a scout post, though at last check it was impassable due to a collapsed bridge.

From the west at Chiundaponde passing by a turn off to Bangweulu, travel for about 20 km from there you will reach the Lavushi Manda turn-off at the Lutimwe Scout Post, which is above the crossing of the Lutimwe River.

Things to do in Lavushi Manda national park

• The mountain range makes Lavushi Manda ideal for hiking
• While the Lukulu River offers excellent fishing
• Kayaking
• Great birding.

When to visit Lavushi Manda national park

Lavushi Manda is open to visitors all year round. However, driving even in the dry season is a challenge with big muddy gullies and areas where the road has just been washed away. In the wet season, some areas may be completely impassable.

Where to stay in Lavushi Manda national park

There are no camps or campsites in Lavushi Manda, and doubt over whether camping is even allowed. If you want to camp, then drop by the regional NPWS office in Mpika and enquire there. If the answer is yes, you’ll need all your food, water, and equipment. If you are planning on venturing off the main road, then you’d probably want to arrange for one of the scouts from the gate to accompany you.

Driving through the park makes an interesting diversion; it is a convenient route into the Bangweulu Game Management Area. Although few regard it as a destination in itself, it might make a good area for exploration if you are a very dedicated hiker. Talk to the team at Kasanka if you’re curious about the latest situation here.