Where to see Black Rhino in Zambia

Quick facts about Black Rhino

In the mid 1960s, when the decline of the black rhinoceros began to accelerate, Zambia had Africa’s third largest population. Of some 12,000 then in the country, roughly one-third were in the Luangwa Valley, a longstanding hotspot. Sadly, Zambia did not escape the poaching onslaught. By the end of the century the species was declared extinct, with the last individuals disappearing from South Luangwa National Park in 1998. Happily, a phased reintroduction project from 2003–2010 saw the species returned to an intensive protection zone in North Luangwa National Park. Numbers have slowly increased, with 58 rhinos – as at 2023 – now roaming freely.

Zambia: black rhino hot spots

Today, the only place to see black rhinos in Zambia is North Luangwa National Park, the more remote and lesser-known northern sister of South Luangwa National Park. With fewer than 60 rhinos here, sightings of this notoriously elusive species are extremely rare, though not unknown. With just a handful of camps and a limited road network, the park specialises in walking safaris. On foot, you may come across black rhino spoor, even if you don’t encounter the animal itself. Following the success in North Luangwa, African Parks and local conservation agencies are currently drawing up plans to reintroduce black rhinos to Kafue and Lower Zambezi national parks, both of which once held significant populations.