About Destination
Resting on the southern shores of Lake Tanganyika in the Northern most tip of Zambia. Nsumbu National Park traverses an area of just over 2000 square kilometers. Including 100kms of some of the most pristine shores of this vast Lake. Its excellence ranges from sandy beaches, vertical cliffs, rocky coves and natural bays to the rugged hills and low valleys of the interior. The Lufubu River moves through the Park and pours into Lake Tanganyika.
Sumbu (Western boundary of Nsumbu) as called by the locals is buffered by Tondwa Game Management Area, an IUCN Category VIII Multiple Use Management Area of 54,000 ha. The much bigger Kaputa Game Management Area (360,000 ha) is also contiguous with the National Park to the north-west and south-west, and consequently, the National Park surrounds Tondwa. Nsumbu National Park and the two Game Management Areas thus form fundamental parts of a network of Protected Areas in Zambia.
The Park is divided from west to east by the sizeable and continuing Lufubu River, which also separates the eastern boundary of the Park up to the river’s outflow into Lake Tanganyika.
Nkamba and Chisala Rivers are smaller than the Lufubu, diminishing Tondwa Swamp into Nkamba and Sumbu Bays respectively through an attractive valley with abounding wildlife. Much of the park is blanketed by combretum thicket, but beside the lakeshore, there are many strangler figs and candelabra trees along with the peculiar and exciting boulders balanced on top of one another.
What to do in Nsumbu National Park
Game viewing drives
Striking wildlife seen in the Park: Crocodile, Hippopotamus, Bushbuck, Warthog, Puku, Roan Antelope, Sable Antelope, Eland, Hartebeest, Buffalo, Zebra, Spotted Hyena, Side-striped Jackal, Serval, Impala, Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Elephant, Lion (seldom), Leopard (sometimes), Blue Duiker, Sitatunga.
Walking Safaris
The neighboring lodges will design for you to do a walking safari through the park with an armed scout. In case you arrive on your own, you can inquire at the entrance gate if a guide for walking is available.
Birding
Distinguished birdlife is seen: Flamingo, African Skimmer, Spoonbill, Whiskered Tern, Storks, Ducks, Herons, Grey-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, White-winged Black Tern, Whiskered Tern, Fish Eagle, Palmnut Vulture
Pel’s Fishing Owl.
Kampasa Rainforest
An extensive tour into the heart of the National Park. A 45-minute boat ride along the natural shorelines of the park, finding wildlife along the way. Disembark and take a 45-minute stroll along the edge of Nkamba wetland with an impressive escarpment on the other side. Go back in time hiking into a forested glade that is an ancient stand of secluded rainforest with religious importance to the local people. An exception in the surrounding woodland the area is rich in wildlife. Puku, bushbuck, hippo, buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, warthog, and duiker are all commonly encountered. The wetland is also known for its sighting of the rare sitatunga antelope as well as Pels fishing owl.
Nearby activities
– Scuba Diving
– Boat-rides along the shoreline of the Park noted as the finest section of shoreline on the whole lake.
Waterfall Walk
A short walk around the National Park and boat ride accompanied by a trained game scout. Taking you through a trail along a beach following a small stream into an isolated forest leading to a waterfall. The guide will go according to your pace resting along the way to encounter wildlife like warthogs, monkeys, Puku antelopes, and hippos are familiar with this hike.