Lochinvar

Once it was bequeathed to the nation in 1904, land belonging to an old colonial farmhouse under a preservation order returned to its wild state. Lochinvar's huge swath of unique wetland and beautiful floodplain savannah was subsequently deemed to be important enough to be granted World Heritage Status.

This park of exceptional beauty is situated on the Kafue River floodplain, easily accessible midway between Livingstone and Lusaka. It extends from the Kafue River in the north, to low wooded hills in the south and includes the Chunga Lagoon whose levels fluctuate according to river flow. Within the park are two National Monument sites: Sebanzi Hill iron-age village site which has dramatic views over the surrounding flats and thick bushland, and the sulphurous Gwisho Hot Springs whose saline deposits attract animals who delight in licking the salt.

Lochinvar is a tranquil hideaway far from the main safari circuits, offering peace and beauty together with ever-changing waterscapes. Regrettably, though, it does not currently offer any actual accommodation, and to stay here you would need to rely on self-camping.