Sioma Ngwezi National Park

The Sioma Ngwezi National Park is one of the largest national parks in Zambia. It had lost a lot of its wildlife due to poaching. Now several measures have been taken and the population of wildlife is improving. The park is located in the southwestern corner of Zambia. It has Angola as its border on side and the Caprivi Strip of Namibia on the other side. The park is just 50 km away from Botswana.

The park is a dry area with miombo and acacia woodlands. There are also teak forests in some areas of the park. The park doesn’t have a fence and hence animals move between the different game areas. It is close to Victoria Falls and Livingstone. The Sioma or Ngonye Falls is quite close by. The Zambezi River is close by and offers a chance for fishing. Several fishing camps are set up on the banks of the river.

Attractions At The Sioma Ngwezi National Park

What is most attractive about this park is that it is still not a place that is on the tourism radar. Hence you can find the place not very crowded. There are not many facilities for accommodation in the park. The nearby lodges offer overnight camping trips to the park. You can driver yourself in the park, but you need a 4×4 vehicle and you must have all your needs with you.

Though there is no clear indication of the wildlife in the park, the Zambian Wildlife Authority has recorded the presence of many animals including a lot of elephants. They have seen lions, leopards, hyena, cheetah and wild dogs at the park. The park is on the development stage and you can expect to find a lot of wildlife as the population is increasing steadily. You can also find buffaloes, eland, sitatunga, giraffe, and hippo in the park.

What Can You Do At Sioma Ngwezi National Park?

A visit to the Ngonye Falls is a must-do when you visit the park. It is little east of the national park along the main road to the park entrance. In the dry season, it is possible to swim in the pools adjacent to the falls. There are many rock pools and jacuzzis near the falls. Fishing is another activity that you can indulge in near the falls. You will be able to find a lot of tiger fish in the waters near the pool.

Apart from wildlife viewing in the park, you can also go to the Upper Zambezi river that flows along the eastern part of the park. It is another excellent place for fishing. Wildlife viewing may not be good on the shores as there are many human dwellings here. Walking safari and game drives are available here. Bird watching is another activity that you can enjoy in the national park.

Reaching Sioma Ngwezi National Park

The best way to reach the national park is to drive from Livingstone. There is also an unreliable ferry from Mangweshi.

When Should You Visit Sioma Ngwezi National Park?

You don’t find animals in this park during the dry season. The best time to visit the park is after the wet season during the months of May and June. During the peak wet season, the roads will be too dangerous to maneuver.