Lochinvar National Park

Size and Landscape

Lochnivar National Park is a small park covering an area of 420 km2 and was declared a park in 1972. It is situated 45km from Monze District of Southern Province. This was a private owned ranch before that was purchased by the government in 1966.

The park is generally on flat ground apart from the two small hills at the southern end. It divides into three distinct zones, which has its characteristic flora and fauna. The northern third is a flood plain. The central zone is an extensive region of termitaria grassland, characterized by grassy plains and scattered termite mounds. Ephorbia candelabrum is more evident in this area. The southern portion is a woodland area characterized by species of Acacia, Albizzia and Combretum. It is in this park that some interesting hot springs and archaeological sites are found.

Habitat and animal population

The most notable mammals is the Kafue Lechwe, whose range is confined entirely to the Kafue flats. Hippopotamus and crocodiles occur wherever there is water. Wildebeest, burchell’s zebra, eland and oribi are found in the flood plains. Impala, reedbuck, bushbuck, common duiker, kudu, bush pig, genets, civets, hyenas, sitatunga and a few buffaloes occur in the southern woodlands of the park.

Lochinvar is famous for its bird life. There are almost 400 bird species in this park. In the flood plain, fulvous and white-faced tree ducks, spur winged goose, grey, purple and goliath herons, red cormorant, darter pink-backed and white pelicans including fish eagles are numerous.

The exceptional resources available in the Park are Kafue Lechwe only found in Kafue flats, the flood plains, hot springs, diversity of bird species, drumming rocks and historical site at Subanzi hills.

The Park has a great potential of tourism but the most notable tourism activity now is game viewing.
 

:: Back to National parks page ::