One of African’s most prized birding spots is the Lochinvar National Park. It is a small 450 km2 park on the Kafue floodplains which has 428 known species- that’s almost a different bird for every square kilometre.
Lochinvar National Park is particularly known for the large herds of Kafue Lechwe, locally known as “Nanja” unique to the Kafue flats. More than 30,000 of them make the flats their home and move seasonally according to the flood levels. The Lochinvar National Park sits between Kafue gorge bordering on the east and Itezhi Tezhi dam on the western side. The park stretches from river Kafue in the north to the woody hills in the south covering an area of approximately 33 kilometers.
History
The Zambian government of the day took over the forests Batwa where living in through hunting and gathering; sold the forests to a Scottish settler known as Lochinvar who built a cattle ranch. Later the Zambian government repossessed the same cattle ranch and converted it into a national game park and renamed it Lochinvar National Park. Meanwhile, the Batwa were forced to relocate to the remote Kafue Flood Plains Basin along the Kafue River. For survival they changed their lifestyle to become good fishermen. Batwa are academically referred to as “Pygmies” and are a highly side lined group of people!
Birdlife International has identified a suite of ‘Important Bird Areas’ (IBA) for Zambia which includes the Lochinvar National Park. Most of these are closely correlated with the identified Ramsar sites.
The wattled crane is the largest crane on the African continent and commonly found in Lochinvar National Park. It reaches an impressive height of about 175 centimetres (or more than 5.7 feet). Its back and wings are laden with beautiful grey feathers, while the head and wattles are white. Unfortunately, it is listed as vulnerable since its population appears to have undergone a rapid decline which currently stands at just 2,000 throughout the whole world!
Gwisho Hot-springs
A visit to Lochinvar National Park would be, incomplete without visiting the Gwisho Hot Springs. It is a nature wonder were water rises by convention methods from depths of over 1km with temperatures ranging from 60 degrees to 90 degrees. There are high concentrations of sodium chloride, calcium and sulphates in the water. A distinctive rock known as a ‘fault breccias’ occurs along the line San at Gwisho
Sebannzi Hill is an archaeological site which has been excavated. It was the site of an iron age village. Of interest also is the Baobab Tree with a hollow trunk large enough for several people to sleep in. Drum Rocks is also an interest site worth visiting which produces a resonant sound when tapped.
Guide to visit Lochinvar National Park
Lochinvar can be visited all through the year. But caution should be taken during the wet season because of the heavy rains. 4WD vehicles are usually used at all times because the condition of the roads is not so good. The population of birds is largest in the wet months when migrant birds come in from the north and on the other hand game is commonly seen in the dry months.
Where to stay at Lochinvar National Park
You can stay by camping at Lochinvar Safari lodge camp site outside the Lochinvar National Park.
Wanting a Guided bird safari? Email: lochinvarsafarilodge@gmail.com