Konkamoya is located in the southern Kafue, a remote beautiful park of Zambia and well away from the normal tourist route.
Kafue National Park, located in the heart of Zambia, is one of Africa’s largest and most ecologically diverse national parks. Spanning over 22,400 square kilometres (roughly the size of Wales), the park is a haven for wildlife, biodiversity, and adventure tourism. The park contains a mosaic of landscapes, from miombo woodlands and savannahs to wetlands, rivers, and floodplains. This diversity of habitats supports a rich variety of flora and fauna, making Kafue a hotspot for biodiversity.
The park is home to more than 150 species of mammals. These include iconic African animals such as lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and antelopes, such as sable, roan, puku, red lechwe. It also has one of the largest populations of African wild dogs.
Conservation efforts in Kafue involve local communities, who play a crucial role in protecting the park’s wildlife through anti-poaching initiatives and sustainable tourism projects. Several organizations work within Kafue to protect its wildlife, including programmes focused on conserving endangered species like African wild dogs and cheetahs.
Konkamoya overlooks Lake Itezhi-Tezlhi.
Lake Itezhi-Tezhi is man-made and located on the Kafue River. It was created in the 1970s when the Itezhi-Tezhi Dam was constructed to regulate the flow of water for the Kafue Gorge Dam downstream. This dam helps generate hydroelectric power, making it important for Zambia’s energy needs.
The lake is situated in the southern part of Kafue National Park, one of Africa’s largest national parks. Its proximity to the park makes it a hotspot for wildlife viewing, as animals come to the lake to drink, especially during the dry season.
The surrounding area of Lake Itezhi-Tezhi is rich in wildlife. The lake and its environment provide habitats for various species such as elephants, hippos, and numerous bird species. It’s part of the greater Kafue ecosystem, which includes open plains, miombo woodlands, and riverine environments.
While it is not as famous as other lakes in Zambia, Lake Itezhi-Tezhi offers a peaceful retreat for those interested in wildlife and birdwatching. The lake’s shores are home to several lodges and campsites that cater to tourists, but Konkamoya is the only one on the southern shore.
The Itezhi-Tezhi Dam plays a significant role in Zambia’s energy sector. The water released from the dam helps generate hydroelectric power downstream at the Kafue Gorge Power Station, which is one of the country’s primary sources of electricity and the lake also supports a small-scale fishing industry, providing livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The lakes combination of natural beauty and prolific wildlife make Itezhi-Tezhi the perfect location for Konkamoya.
With its less-developed infrastructure and focus on sustainability, Kafue offers a more eco-conscious form of tourism, drawing visitors who are interested in conserving the natural environment while enjoying its beauty. In essence, Kafue National Park is special because of its size, diverse wildlife, unique ecosystems, and its relatively undisturbed wilderness. It is a hidden gem for safari-goers seeking an authentic, less commercialized African experience.