description Kafue Flats Overview
The Kafue Flats in central Zambia are a seasonally flooded plain along the Kafue River covering about 6,500 sq km, supporting the endemic Kafue lechwe antelope in numbers exceeding 40,000 individuals.
insights Ranking position
Kafue Flats ranks #37 of 108 in the Swamp ranking, behind Loktak Lake, ahead of Green Swamp.
help Kafue Flats FAQ
Why do the Kafue Flats flood seasonally?
The Kafue River spreads across a broad, low floodplain in central Zambia during the wet season. The resulting cycle of inundation and retreat creates productive grasslands and wetlands.
What is a Kafue lechwe?
The Kafue lechwe is a wetland antelope endemic to the Kafue Flats. Its long, splayed hooves and water-adapted movement help it use flooded grasslands that many other antelopes avoid.
Which protected areas cover the Kafue Flats?
Lochinvar National Park protects part of the southern flats, while Blue Lagoon National Park lies on the northern side. Both conserve floodplain habitat used by lechwe and large numbers of waterbirds.
How have dams affected the Kafue Flats?
The Itezhi-Tezhi and Kafue Gorge dams altered the timing and extent of natural flooding. Those changes affect grazing, fisheries, wildlife habitat, and farming across the roughly 6,500-square-kilometre floodplain.
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