Is a less-visited Park in Zambia. It was proclaimed in the 1940s to protect the population of Yellow-backed Duiker, but it has had little official interest over the years and has mainly been used for hunting and fishing by the local communities.

Recently the West Lunga Development Trust was set up to help conserve this pristine and relatively sparsely populated area of Zambia. Local communities have been mobilized into Village Action Groups and Community Resource Boards are being set up to sustainably manage the natural resources. A game counting programme has been started and with more controls, West Lunga can expect to see a rise in wildlife and visitor numbers in the future.

The Park is famous amongst ornithologists for the controversy surrounding the only endemic bird species, the white-chested Tinkerbird. In 1964 a single specimen of this bird species was found. Avid birders have made numerous unsuccessful attempts to find more, making some think that the species was named after an aberrant individual of the golden-Rumped Tinkerbird.

Numerous rapids, stunning waterfalls, limestone caves, underground rivers, hot springs, the Kabompo Gorge, a sunken lake, and the source of the famous Zambezi River make this hidden corner of Zambia worth exploring.

Size of West Lunga national park Zambia

The 1700 sq km is one of the lists visited national park located in the west of Lunga river

Location of West Lunga national park Zambia

Is it a remote wildlife haven in a dense forest in the North-Western Province of Zambia? It lies between the West Lunga River and Kabompo River about 10 km north of the gravel road from Solwezi to Kabompo and covers about 1700 km².

How to get to West Lunga national park Zambia

West Lunga National Park lies about 10 km north of the gravel road from Solwezi to Kabompo. It is reached by a dirt track from the main road to the Park gate and base at Jivundu in the south-west.

Things to do in West Lunga national park Zambia

Wildlife viewing

Most of the park is covered with dense evergreen forests. It is this thick forest that has made development difficult, but at the same time has also kept it pristine. Small forest mammals such as bush pig and duiker, as well as puku, hippo, crocs, monkeys, and baboons, live here. Buffalo, Roan, sable, hartebeest, and occasionally elephant are seen.

Canoeing and fishing

There are two rivers that border the park, and both would be excellent for canoeing or fishing. The Kabombo River is the deepest river in Zambia and the Lunga River has very transparent water.

Birding tours by boat

The park also offers excellent birding, perhaps best done by boat due to the thick almost impenetrable vegetation.

When to visit West Lunga national park

During dry season from July to October is the best time to visit west Lunga national park.

Where to stay West Lunga national park Zambia

The Park has no facilities so visitors must be completely self-sufficient. There is no accommodation and there are no towns nearby. Although the forest is slightly sparser in winter, the evergreen forest is thick and impenetrable all year round.