Covering 8,687 square miles, Kafue National Park is one of the world's largest national parks. The Kafue River contributes to the wide array of landscapes, making this area one of the more interesting and eye-catching of the African parks. Elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion and large herds of antelope can be seen here, as well as about 400 different species of birds. Much of the Park consists of "miombo" woodland, which spreads out into wide grassy plains known as "dambos." This area is an essential food source and is grazed by sable, hartebeest, wildebeest, buffalo and zebra. The northern section of the Park is blanketed by a huge rolling flood plain, Busanga Plain, fed by the Lufupa River system. This river recedes in the dry season, leaving large herds of hippo in very shallow pools. This flat grassland is also riddled with termite mounds (also known as green islands), sprouting fig trees, and Phoenix palms. The latter serves as an essential protective canopy for predators who stalk the area in search of prey.
