Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Just inside the camp is a
conservation centre
that it is worth passing through on the
way in or out of Kasanka. It is mostly used as an educational centre for local children, and
also runs re-education programs for poachers, but there's a small museum that's open to
all and it is particularly interesting for children. There's a display of animal skulls, inform-
ation on the birds and bats of Kasanka, interactive wildlife Q&As and there are weighing
and measuring stations where you can compare your height and bulk to that of the park's
larger beasts. There's no fee to enter the centre but donations are appreciated.
The Kasanka team also runs excellent tours of northern Zambia, using vehicles or
planes, linking the park with visits to the Bangweulu Wetlands, Shiwa Ng'andu and North
Luangwa National Park. This is well worth considering if you want to cover this area in a
limited period; rates depend on group size, duration and interests.
Sleeping
There are two campsites in Kasanka where you'll be surrounded by the noise of animals,
the stars and little else.
Pontoon Campsite
(per person US$10)
and
Kabwe Campsite
(per person US$10)
both look out over the Kasanka River. They are located around
10-12km from the main Wasa Lodge and come equipped with long-drop toilets and buck-
et showers (staff will prepare hot water for you if you let them know in advance). Pontoon
is shaded by large mahogany trees and blue monkeys sometimes pass through. Kabwe is
an open campground with views over the floodplain where sitatunga wander by.
Conservation Centre $
(campsite per person US$10, r per person US$30)
Just inside the park is a small conser-
vation centre with a campsite as well as basic twin rooms in thatched chalets. There's a
shared bathroom for every pair of rooms. School groups often book these out, but if
they're empty then visitors are welcome to stay. It's convenient but lacks the atmosphere
or the views of the other places inside the park.
CAMPGROUND
Wasa Lodge $$$
( 873 76 2067957;
www.kasanka.com
; self-catering chalets per person US$50; full
board incl all activities per person US$360)
This place doubles as the park headquarters.
Accommodation consists of thatched bungalows in two sizes. Larger chalets are airy and
cool with wide balconies and lovely stone showers. The real advantage of a stay here is
the setting. The lodge overlooks Lake Wasa and you can look out over the swamp and
spot hippos and puku and sometimes even sitatungas. There are several vantage points, in-
LODGE
