For decades, Zambia has been revered as one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, offering some of the best wildlife experiences on the continent. From the renowned South Luangwa, famously known as the ‘Valley of the Leopard,’ to the vast wilderness of Kafue and the stunning Lower Zambezi, Zambia has quietly but confidently established itself as the ultimate country for leopard sightings.
What makes Zambia so special for leopards? It’s a combination of factors: high prey densities, intact habitats, and the presence of medium-sized antelope species such as impala and puku, which form the backbone of a leopard’s diet. Furthermore, unlike many other safari destinations, Zambia allows night drives, giving visitors the rare opportunity to observe these elusive cats during their peak activity hours.
But now, there’s a new ‘Valley of the Leopard’ on the rise—the Lower Zambezi.
The Lower Zambezi: The new Valley of the Leopard
Traditionally, South Luangwa has been regarded as the place for leopard sightings. And while it remains exceptional, the tide is shifting. With increasing visitor numbers, especially in the central Mfuwe sector, leopards there are becoming more nocturnal and elusive due to the growing pressure from vehicles. Venturing deeper into the park still provides great opportunities, but this often comes at a premium.
Meanwhile, the Lower Zambezi is emerging as the new frontier for leopard viewing. Unlike in Luangwa, where game drives are the primary activity, the Lower Zambezi offers a mix of experiences—walking safaris, river excursions, canoeing, and boat cruises—reducing the constant pressure on game drives. This, in turn, allows leopards to remain relaxed and visible during daylight hours.
In the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park, our camps—Kutali and Chula Island—are situated in some of the most leopard-rich areas in Africa. Kutali Camp, nestled within the breathtaking Winterthorn Forest, is home to the famous Kulefu female and her lineage. Here, it’s common to see leopards daily, with some of the smallest known home ranges ever recorded. In one extraordinary season, a unique ‘female harem’ was observed, where three adult female leopards and their cubs coexisted, hunted together, and shared kills—something never before documented in the wild.
At Chula Island, guests have the rare privilege of encountering the island’s resident leopards—several elusive cats that roam this untouched paradise. Because Chula is accessible only to our guests, sightings here are private and uninterrupted. These leopards are also fully habituated to human presence, just like their counterparts on the mainland, making for truly remarkable encounters.
And it’s not just safari-goers taking notice. The Lower Zambezi is now firmly on the radar of the world’s largest wildlife production companies, with multiple documentaries set for release in 2025 and 2026, reinforcing its status as a world-class leopard destination. Additionally, world-leading wildlife photographers are now making Kutali a top choice—not only on private photographic missions but also as tour leaders bringing guests who want to experience and capture the exceptional leopard encounters this area offers.
Kafue: The Hidden Gem for Leopard Lovers
Beyond the Lower Zambezi, the Kafue National Park—particularly the Musekese region—is quickly gaining recognition as a top-tier leopard destination. What sets Kafue apart is the exclusivity of its sightings. Unlike more crowded parks, here you have complete freedom to spend as long as you like at a leopard sighting, with no other vehicles vying for position.
Musekese’s leopards are thriving, thanks to improved conservation efforts. Habitat protection, fire management, and anti-poaching initiatives—first implemented by Musekese Conservation and now reinforced by African Parks—have resulted in a remarkable rebound in leopard numbers. Research conducted in the region is set to reveal astonishing density estimates, with early findings suggesting over 10 leopards per 100 square kilometers—second only to the highly managed and fenced Sabi Sands in South Africa. The fact that such numbers exist in an unfenced, vast wilderness like Kafue speaks volumes about the park’s ecological health.
For guests, this means daytime leopard sightings in an untouched, undisturbed landscape. With no crowds and no time constraints, the experience here is unparalleled—perfect for photographers and true wildlife enthusiasts.
The Time is Now
While South Luangwa will always be an iconic destination for leopard viewing, the shift is clear. The Lower Zambezi has risen as the new Valley of the Leopard, offering unrivaled encounters in a diverse and pristine ecosystem. Meanwhile, Kafue’s Musekese region provides an intimate, pressure-free leopard experience that is fast becoming one of Zambia’s best-kept secrets.
For those who dream of witnessing Africa’s most elusive big cat in its element, now is the time to explore Zambia’s best-kept secret—before the rest of the world catches on. Book your safari with Classic Zambia and experience these extraordinary leopard encounters for yourself.
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