An Assessment of Tourism Development in Kafue National Park-North

Tourism has been among the most neglected sectors in Zambia, yet elsewhere, it is the major
foreign exchange earner. Zambia has not realised the full benefits which tourism brings.
Consequently, in 1996, the government developed a new policy on economic diversification
to include tourism. The new policy created new market research on tourism for effective
marketing to increase tourist flow to Zambia. But very little research work had addressed
tourism development of the country. Hence this study focussed on the Kafue National Park-
North (KNP-North) which is situated in central-western Zambia covering an area of 13
340km². The park provides sanctuary for 158 species of mammals, 515 of birds including the
9 Game Management Areas, 70 of reptiles, 36 of amphibian and 58 fish species. It is also
classified as „Zambia‟s Important Bird Area (IBA).
The objectives of the study were to: (i) assess the infrastructure development, (ii) establish
the relationship between infrastructure development and tourism development, (iii) determine
the amount of investment going in the park; and (iv) assess the perceptions and attitudes of
various stakeholders on tourism development in the Kafue National Park-North. Tourist Area
Cycle Evolution Theory was used to explain how tourism development is being attained in
the park.
Data was collected through interviews, questionnaires and observations. The target sample of
122 respondents included lodge/safari operators, tourists, local communities, and 28 Key
Informants from funding agencies included Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural
Resources, Zambia Wildlife Authority, World Bank and Norway officials. From marketing
agencies included Zambia National Tourist Board (ZNTB) currently known as Zambia
Tourist Board (ZTB), KNP Promotion, Kafue Trust and Open Africa.
Analysis of collected data revealed that tourism infrastructure in the Kafue National Park-
North was not developed, particularly, the access roads, airstrips and viewing loops which
were in poor condition. The study found that there was scarcity of supporting facilities and
services such as curio shops which contributed to the low number of visitors in the park. It
was also found that inadequate funding for the Park partly contributed to poor state of
infrastructure. Similarly, Zambia has not done extensive marketing of tourism product abroad
and locally such that there was scanty information on the Park. This together with the lack of
publications on the park has led to low inflow of tourists especially the domestic tourists.
Additionally, it was also found that the perceptions and attitudes of different stakeholders
were to a large extent negative because of lack of sensitization on what the park provides as a
tourist attraction. Overall, it is concluded that, despite its attractiveness and abundant wildlife
there is limited tourism development in the Kafue National-North due to poor infrastructure
and scanty information circulation about the Park.