Where to find Leopards in Zambia

Best parks in Zambia for spotting these beautiful big cats

Gabriella
Gabriella
Malawi and Zambia guest writer
Published on
23 Oct 2023
Updated on
27 Feb 2025
Leopard drinking Zambia

If you’ve ever seen a leopard, you’ll still remember the first time you locked eyes with this most graceful of creatures. Utterly wild, powerful and beguiling, the African Leopard is a very special animal indeed. The iconic black and bronze rosettes spattered over its muscular form, the downy snow-white fluff of its tummy, the elegant curve of its strong tail, and the sharp golden eyes piercing into your own make the leopard a sight to behold.

Easily recognized but difficult to find, a leopard sighting is in high demand by any safari goer, laying the responsibility on their guide to fulfill this order. While in some areas, this pressure can result in a steady sheen of sweat on a guide’s brow as they struggle to deliver, there are other areas where the guides will relish the task. Zambia is home to a number of these areas. Blessed with a high population of leopards throughout its most notable national parks, sightings are plentiful, and nowhere more so than in South Luangwa National Park.

Leopard tummy South Luangawa Zambia C Gabriella Constantini
A leopard rolling in South Luangwa National Park (C) Gabriella Constantini

With one of the highest densities of leopards in the world, this iconic national park has earned the nickname “The Valley of Leopards”. A subtropical climate combined with the Luangwa River feeding through the park sustains a wealth of flora and fauna, providing a haven for herbivores and predators alike. The abundance of antelope ensures a steady feast for the carnivores of Luangwa, and the leopards make up no small part of that ecosystem. Named ‘Kaingo’ in the local language Nyanja, it only seems fitting that a visit to Shenton Safaris’ Kaingo Camp would be a good place to start your leopard-viewing adventure.

Built in 1992, Kaingo Camp is located in the more remote northern part of the park. Its name came during its build when a female leopard, or ‘kaingo’, took up residence at the camp and settled in one of the chalets. Luckily for you, Goldie the leopard has moved on so you’ll have your chalet all to yourself overlooking the fabulous Luangwa River.

If you’re feeling adventurous, Kaingo Camp also offers the spectacular opportunity to sleep out in the wilderness in their Elephant Hide star-bed. A viewing platform fully equipped with a double bed, mosquito net, wash basin, and a few added comforts has been erected in the branches of a grand ebony tree on the banks of the river, offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be totally immersed in the beauty of nature and the nocturnal wildlife with just a mosquito net between you and the African night’s sky. You will be equipped with a radio, and an armed guard will be camped nearby should you need anything or have a change of heart!

Leopard Luangwa
Leopard lounging in South Luangwa

With Kaingo Camp being a good two-and-a-half-hour drive from South Luangwa’s Mfuwe Airport, if you’ve had a long journey you may be looking for somewhere a little closer for your first/last night or two. Robin Pope Safaris’ Nkwali Camp is ideally located for several reasons. It is one of the closest lodges to the airport; it is situated in a private game management area (GMA) on a stretch of the grand Luangwa River and your game-viewing activities begin with a short boat ride across and into the national park, meaning you avoid the hustle and bustle of the main gate and the game concentrations in the area in which you start your activities are exceptional, particularly the leopard numbers. The guides at Nkwali (and all the Robin Pope camps for that matter) are famed in the Luangwa Valley for their skill, professionalism, passion, experience, and personable characters, so, if you want nothing more than to see a leopard, they’re going to pull out all the stops to try and make that happen!

To try and find the spotted cats on foot, take a look at our 11-day Remote Luangwa Walking Safari itinerary.

Enquire Today
Leopard in South Luangwa Zambia Anna Campbell landscape
Leopard watching impala in South Luangwa

A relatively small area set between the Zambezi River and the rugged Zambezi Escarpment, Lower Zambezi National Park possesses a wildlife density like no other. Famed for its beauty and impressive elephant population, Lower Zambezi is also the territory for a number of exciting predators, from hyenas to wild dogs, lions to leopards. The decorated felines thrive in this habitat, enjoying the rocky outcrops of the escarpment and the riverine forest density, offering plenty of trees to lay their weary heads and stash their conquered prey.

For your best chance of leopard viewings, make your way deep into the park, to the riverside camp of Old Mondoro. This small and authentic camp offers rustic luxury in one of the best locations of the park for wildlife viewing, just four chalets make up Old Mondoro so intimate ambience and personalized attention to detail is what you can expect from your stay here. The chalets and main lodge display exquisite view across the Zambezi River, often encumbered by the large grey forms of honking hippo pods and bathing elephants – utter serenity to observe from your open-air bathtub or private deck.

The guides here are truly top-notch, and the modest size and natural boundaries of the park mean they know the area like the back of their hands. With most past guests reporting leopard sightings, some lucky folk have been treated to as many as ten different leopards around the area on different sightings - day or night, snoozing, stalking, patrolling, on a kill, fending off scavengers, or caring for some fuzzy cubs, these cats never cease to amaze.

Leopard Lower Zambezi Zambia Unsplash min
Leopard close up in Lower Zambezi

Another accommodation option in this area is the fabulous Sausage Tree Camp if you’re looking for something chicer. Sweeping villas with private plunge pools and outdoor showers are lined along the banks of the river. Each room gets their own private vehicle, guide, and even a personal butler tending to your every need. Set deep into the park and a good drive from the main gate, the area is quiet and unspoiled so wildlife sightings are often all to yourself, adding to the magic of the moment and giving you the freedom to admire and photograph from different angles, and for as long as you desire.

To experience a combo of South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi for that doubled-up chance to find a leopard, check out our 10-day Classic Zambia itinerary.

Leopards at night Zambia Canva Pro
Leopard and cub, night-time Zambia

The final spot for leopard viewing would have to be Kafue National Park. Zambia’s largest national park (and one of the largest in the whole of Africa), Kafue spans an impressive 22,400km² - that’s bigger than Wales! Rigorous counter-poaching initiatives and efforts in the area have seen the population of leopards increase significantly over the last few years and many guests of the park are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them. Found mostly in the drier central Kafue area there is a selection of fabulous lodges to stay at in order to get a chance of seeing one, namely KaingU Safari Lodge (not to be confused with the aforementioned Kaingo Camp in South Luangwa!).

KaingU Safari Lodge offers intimate and cosy accommodations in a pristine area of the park. This owner-run lodge overlooks the river and is the ideal location for couples, families, or small groups looking for an authentic and exciting getaway. Offering game drives, walking safaris, fishing, boat cruises, picnics, birding, and canoeing, there’s something for every type of safari-goer. If it’s leopards you’re after, game drives are your best bet of finding them. Let your guide transport you into the deep wilds of this magnificent park to find the elusive cats.

Despite its size, Kafue enjoys plenty of space and is not overrun with too many lodges and tourists so you are able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main gate area and venture into the thick bush where a walking safari is an exceptional experience. Leopards are easily spooked by commotion or loud noises, so trying to find them on foot could prove to be a fruitful and thrilling activity.

To explore the delights of the Kafue National Park and more, check out our 12-day Wild Western Zambia itinerary.

Leopard drinking Zambia

Leopards can be found all year round but you will find the best time of year is the mid to late dry season (June to October) when much of the foliage has died back, the trees are bare and the grasses are sparse, this allows you a better view into the trees where they do much of their dwelling, plus a longer range of view on the ground to see them walking or hunting without the tall grasses to conceal them.

Enquire Today
Trips in Zambia

Zambia Trip Inspiration

Ready to book your Leopard-spotting safari in Zambia?

To find out more about booking a Zambia Holiday give our experts a call on 01768 603715. Our Zambia experts have spent plenty of time in Zambia on safari looking for leopards so they know exactly how to help you.

Call 0203 111 1315
or
Shirley Newman

What can I say….my son and myself had the most wonderful time in Kenya thanks to the first-class itinerary that Ben and Louise put together for us. We spoke with Ben many times to ensure he ‘got it right’. This was our 2nd visit to Kenya, and it certainly lived up to our expectations and memories. We stayed in four locations, firstly at the wonderful El Karama Lodge, Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, where we even had a visit from Ruth from Far and Wild! Then, for a return visit, to Saruni Samburu, which is absolutely stunning and still one of our favourite places in the world. Next came Basecamp Mara Camp, where we saw our first Cheetah, the only animal we didn’t see on our first visit. After that, onto the wonderful Leopards Hill in the Naiboisho Conservancy, what a way to spend the last four days of this trip. Here we finally spent many hours with a beautiful leopard. Throughout our time in Kenya, we saw many lions, giraffes, elephants, ostriches, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards, to name just a few. Nothing was too much trouble for all the staff; we cannot have been looked after any better. Since our return again Ben phoned to see how it went in addition to emails. I would highly recommend Far and Wild; they are so knowledgeable and have personally visited the lodges and areas. We are already planning another visit, and we cannot wait.

16 Aug 2025
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

17 Sept 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

31 Jul 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

3 Jul 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

28 Jun 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

5 Jun 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

5 Jun 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

5 Jun 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

5 Jun 2024