Lower Zambezi National Park

🇿🇲 Zambia

🐊 Nile Crocodiles Patrol Lower Zambezi
🌍 #29 Global · 4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #23 in Africa #23 in Savanna & Grassland
Southern Africa, Zambia 1190 spp. recorded

Lower Zambezi National Park is a protected tropical savanna stretching along the northern bank of the great river in southern Zambia. This wilderness stands apart through its sweeping floodplains, dense riverine forests, and dramatic escarpment backdrop, creating a sanctuary defined by permanent water and lush vegetation.

-15.452° S   29.941° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
White-fronted Bee-eater
LC

White-fronted Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops bullockoides

60–70% · Likely
Meves's Glossy-starling
LC

Meves's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis mevesii

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

60–70% · Likely
White-headed Lapwing
LC

White-headed Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus albiceps

60–70% · Likely
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

60–70% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Southern Red-billed Hornbill

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus rufirostris

60–70% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

70–80% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus ★
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Chacma Baboon
LC

Chacma Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio ursinus

50–60% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

50–60% · Likely
Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

40–50% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Smith's Bush Squirrel
LC

Smith's Bush Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paraxerus cepapi

30–40% · Possible
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

30–40% · Possible
Leopard
VU Endemic

Leopard

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera pardus

30–40% · Possible
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

30–40% · Possible
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

20–30% · Possible
Blue Monkey
LC

Blue Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Cercopithecus mitis

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

60–70% · Likely
White-fronted Bee-eater
LC

White-fronted Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops bullockoides

60–70% · Likely
Meves's Glossy-starling
LC

Meves's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis mevesii

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

60–70% · Likely
White-headed Lapwing
LC

White-headed Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus albiceps

60–70% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

60–70% · Likely
Southern Red-billed Hornbill

Southern Red-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus rufirostris

60–70% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

50–60% · Likely
Little Bee-eater
LC

Little Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops pusillus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

60–70% · Likely
Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis wahlbergii

30–40% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

30–40% · Possible
Chobe Dwarf Gecko
LC

Chobe Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus chobiensis

Insufficient data
Spotted Bush Snake
LC

Spotted Bush Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Philothamnus semivariegatus

Insufficient data
Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko
LC

Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Chondrodactylus laevigatus

Insufficient data
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

Insufficient data
Cape Dwarf Gecko
LC

Cape Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus capensis

Insufficient data
Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

Insufficient data
Congo Two-headed Snake
LC

Congo Two-headed Snake

Reptile

Chilorhinophis gerardi

Insufficient data
Snouted Cobra
LC

Snouted Cobra

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Naja annulifera

Insufficient data
Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelusios sinuatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

30–40% · Possible
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data
Garman's Toad
LC

Garman's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani

Insufficient data
Sharp-nosed ridged frog
LC

Sharp-nosed ridged frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena oxyrhynchus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐦

Zambezi River Cruises

MayJunJulOctDec

Hippos and Nile crocodiles bask on riverbanks, while African Fish-Eagles and Pied Kingfishers hunt overhead. Elephants and buffalo frequently visit waterholes.

African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

50–60% · Likely
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Lion Tracking & Predator Hotspots

JunJulOct

Guided game drives focus on lion prides and their prey, with high densities of impala, waterbuck, and buffalo. Spotted hyenas are often heard at night.

Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

30–40% · Possible
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Painted Hunting Dog Sightings

AprJunSepOct

One of the best places in Zambia to see Africa’s most endangered large carnivore. Packs hunt cooperatively near open plains and riverine forests.

Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

40–50% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

50–60% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
African Bush Elephant
60–70
80–90
80–90
50–60
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Lion
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
Painted Hunting Dog
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
60–70
40–50
40–50
70–80
70–80
20–30
40–50
Common Hippopotamus
20–30
20–30
60–70
20–30
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
Egyptian Goose
50–60
70–80
40–50
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
80–90
60–70
White-fronted Bee-eater
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
80–90
50–60
Meves's Glossy-starling
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
Cape Turtle Dove
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
White-headed Lapwing
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
Nile Crocodile
40–50
60–70
40–50
30–40
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
40–50
60–70
50–60
African Fish-Eagle
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
Helmeted Guineafowl
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
Fork-tailed Drongo
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
Southern Red-billed Hornbill
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
40–50
70–80
60–70
Lilac-breasted Roller
60–70
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Animal Events
🐦 Zambezi River Cruises
🦌 Lion Tracking & Predator Hotspots
🦌 Painted Hunting Dog Sightings

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐊 Nile Crocodiles Patrol Lower Zambezi

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
864
🐒 Mammals
178
🦎 Reptiles
105
🐸 Amphibians
43
1190 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
37 Threatened 5 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
65%
📊
Coverage (235 species at ≥5% of 1190 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
20%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 2 mammal, 1 reptile)
46% Global avg
54%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
180
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
34
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
45

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Lower Zambezi National Park?

The most likely sightings are African Bush Elephant (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Egyptian Goose (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), White-fronted Bee-eater (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Meves's Glossy-starling (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Cape Turtle Dove (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1190 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Lower Zambezi National Park for wildlife?

June has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Lower Zambezi National Park?

Yes — about 78% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Lower Zambezi National Park, based on 37 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Lower Zambezi National Park?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Lower Zambezi National Park, based on 19 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Painted Hunting Dog in Lower Zambezi National Park?

Yes — about 55% of wildlife watchers report a Painted Hunting Dog sighting in Lower Zambezi National Park, based on 15 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Common Hippopotamus in Lower Zambezi National Park?

Yes — about 52% of wildlife watchers report a Common Hippopotamus sighting in Lower Zambezi National Park, based on 19 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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