BLUE LAGOON NATIONAL PARK

Blue lagoon national park is a small wildlife haven in the northern part of the Kafue Flats in Zambia’s Central Provinces. It covers about 500 square kilometers and is very accessible, being about 100km west of Lusaka 120km by road

The Kafue River’s main channel is about 10km south of the southern park boundary. Herds of Kafue Lechwe are seen in the flooded areas, Sitatunga in the swamps and Zebra, Reedbuck and buffalos graze the drier parts, Southern African Python, buffalos, and many others. A very large number of bird species    can be seen there, especially aquatic birds

It’s similar to Lochinvar National Park in the south of the Kafue flats though no direct road between the two, except via Lusaka the Capita

The national park has spectacular plains in the dry season mostly transforms completely from a dry grass flatland to a watery wonderland in the wet season, as the flats fill with water and the migratory birds arrive from far and wide

Not until recently this national park had not been opened up to the public as it fell under the preserve of the Defense Ministry. It was established more than 40 years ago by Critchlys, a retired colonel from the British Army and his wife Erica –an environmentally oriented farming family who then sold it to the National Parks Department. The farmhouse still exists which is now the parks reception. A little further on are two old chalets and two new chalets available for accommodation.

Activities taking place in Blue Lagoon National Park.

Game viewing

The national park game viewing destination though it doesn’t have a variety of animals. This national park is a home for the antelopes that live in Kafue plains. It actually a water loving antelope that survives from flooded plains and also submerges if threatened. This park, and Lochinvar National park have the biggest total of the Kafue lechwe, there are some zebras, giraffes and many smaller animals that makes a game viewing site.

Birding

This national park has over 400 different bird species within of which 40 of them are wetland endemic. The bird species found here exist according to the weather conditions while common types including the pelican, squacco heron, cattle and black egret, the Egyptian goose, open bill stork, white faced whistling duck and the blacksmith plover.

The termitaria as well is home to unique species for example the red capped lark, sparrow lark, quail flinch and among others. Swamp species are swamp warbler and fly catcher.

The best time to visit Blue Lagoon National Park

This national park can be visited any day any time though the park advises its clients to in the wet season is from the November to April, at this time, the 5 km causeway will reach well onto the water, and the sight of the birds and Lechwe is spectacular from this vantage point. Blue lagoon is mainly a birding destination, and November to the month of April simply the best time for birding too and that’s when the migratory birds are back and many of them are in their breeding Plumage.

How to get to the blue lagoon national park

Visitors are advised to book their own 4×4 car from their tour agents or the company that worked with them. The park is located 120 km about 74 minutes from the Capital city Lusaka using Mumbwe-Mongu road from Lusaka. And then 27 km left facing the store known as the Farmers Supermarket. This specific road finally heads to the sign post of the Blue Lagoon National. Travel for 7km until finally you get the main gate after which continue to the old farmers’ house reception

ACCOMMODATION

The Chalets near the old farm house supply lodging for the overnight. Newly constructed Mitumbi Safari lodge safari lodge established on hill ahead of the park happens to be a second choice furnished with private lodging, en-suit bathrooms, pool, restaurants and pool and bars.