The northern circuit
Zambia's Northern Circuit is one of Africa's last great overlanding adventures - a journey through wild landscapes, remote parks, and vibrant local culture. From the misty woodlands of Kasanka National Park, where millions of fruit bats fill the skies each year, to the vast Bangweulu Wetlands with their shoebills and black lechwe, this route is pure wilderness. Along the way, travellers explore the granite hills of Mutinondo, the historic Shiwa Ng'andu Estate, the soothing Kapishya Hot Springs, and the turquoise shores of Lake Tanganyika, before ending at the thundering Lumangwe Falls. It's an unforgettable circuit through Zambia's untamed north - raw, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Trip Essentials
Duration: Allow a minimum of 6–7 days to hit the highlights; 10–14 days lets you slow down, add rest days at Mutinondo or Lake Tanganyika, and detour into the Bangweulu Wetlands without rushing.
Route: Broadly follows the Great North Road from Lusaka through Kapiri Mposhi, Serenje, and Mpika up to Kasama and Mbala, with detours west to Kasanka, Bangweulu, and Shiwa Ng'andu/Kapishya, and a final push to Mpulungu on Lake Tanganyika.
Vehicle: A capable 4x4 is essential - the detours into Bangweulu and some of the waterfall access roads are rough, sandy, or seasonally waterlogged. This isn't a route for a stock 2WD.
Fuel and resupply: Fill up whenever you pass through a town of any size (Kapiri Mposhi, Mkushi, Mpika, Kasama) - the wetland and estate detours can go long stretches without fuel or shops.
Self-sufficiency: Many of the best campsites are wild or semi-wild with minimal facilities, so plan to carry your own water, power, and food between stops.
Tips for Travelling the Northern Circuit
Bat migration timing: Millions of straw-coloured fruit bats gather in Kasanka National Park from late October through December, peaking in November - plan your visit within this window for the best chance of witnessing it.
Combine with the Luangwa Valley: During the dry season (July–October), the Northern Circuit can be joined with a Luangwa Valley route for an extended adventure.
Recommended Campsites (South to North)
Forest Inn, Mkushi
Kundalila Falls
Mutinondo Wilderness
Pontoon Campsite, Kasanka National Park
Nsobe Campsite, Bangweulu National Park
Kapishya Hot Springs
Flowers and Ferns, Mbala
Ndole Bay, Lake Tanganyika
Isanga Bay, Lake Tanganyika
Kalambo Falls, Lake Tanganyika
Lumangwe Falls
Take on the Northern Circuit with GoXplore
This is a self-sufficiency route - long stretches between shops, wild campsites with few facilities, and stints of rough road. That's exactly what our rental packages are built for: a fridge to keep food fresh between towns, onboard water and solar power, and a rooftop tent or camper you can pitch in minutes wherever you stop for the night. Whether you're renting a full setup for the trip or kitting out your own vehicle, get in touch and we'll help you plan the right gear for this route.