Laying at the tail-end of the Great Rift and skirting along the Luangwa River, this park’s savannah grasslands are populated by 60 species of wildlife and over 400 species of birdlife – making it great for both game viewing and bird-watching. Plus: the park’s remote location and relatively low number of visitors mean you’ll be guaranteed an exclusive safari experience in an unspoilt environment. But what makes South Luangwa truly special is its status as the ‘birthplace of the walking safari’. Leave the 4x4’s keys at the lodge and lace up your hiking boots for the original up-close-and-personal safari experience. Thornicroft’s giraffe, Crawshay’s zebra, lion, antelope, buffalo, elephant, and more can all be spotted roaming the plains in broad daylight while the elusive leopard comes out to play after sundown.
The Valley’s ox-bow pools are the best place to go for game-viewing. Luangwa is a dry-season destination: during the rainy season, the Luangwa River swells up and – as the drier seasons approach – it leaves watering holes and lush vegetation in its wake. This is where the park’s diverse range of wildlife are bound together by the unforgiving low rainfall in the region, promising excellent game-viewing.
The unspoiled South Luangwa National Park is one of natural jewels in Zambia’s crown, and home to one of the most varied collections of wildlife on the planet. The park is centered around the Luangwa River. Untapped by man, its natural ebb and flow of flooding makes much of the park inaccessible by road which keeps it a sanctuary for the large concentration of game that live there. A paradise for birders, over 450 species are to be found in the park, and the wildlife includes elephant, buffalo, hippos, giraffe, leopards and lions. The Luangwa River flows through the Park, creating an oasis that attracts many animals to this beautiful place. Nature walks are available at different locations throughout the park where you can learn about wildlife or enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild! South Luangwa National Park has it all – breathtaking scenery, amazing diversity of wildlife and bird species, variety of accommodations options and a wonderful climate all year-round.
Seasonal changes are very pronounced in Luangwa. The dry season begins in April and intensifies through to October, the hottest month, when game concentrations are at their height close to remaining sources of water. Warm sunny days and chilly nights typify the dry winter months of May to August. The wet season begins in November as the leaves turn green, and the dry bleak terrain becomes lush and verdant. The rainy season lasts up until the end of March and the migrant birds arrive in droves. Each lodge stays open for as long as access is possible, depending on its location in the area. There are several lodges that remain open all year in the central area of the park.
The Dry season in Zambia is a lovely time to visit – it’s divided into a cooler period (May to August) and a hotter one (September and October). Zambia is right in the tropics and gets lots of rain in the Wet season (November to April). At that time many camps in Kafue, Lower Zambezi and the more remote parks shut down. The Mfuwe section of South Luangwa can be visited at any time of year. Dry Season –May to October – Winter: In winter, there’s hardly any rain and humidity is low. Thirsty animals crowd around the waterholes and rivers to drink. Wet Season –November to April – Summer: Due to high rainfall and bad roads, the Wet season months from December to March are not ideal for visiting Zambia.
The famous South Luangwa National Park is one of the best-known parks in Africa for walking safaris. This 9000 km2 protected area supports large populations and herds, such as giraffes grazing alongside elephants or buffaloes relaxing under the trees by the riverbanks. The Luangwa Valley contains a variety of animals, including some that are near-endemic or endemic only to this region. The valley provides an important natural barrier for wildlife due to its no ‘off road driving’ policy and has thus helped conserve these species from human interference. It is home to an array of wildlife, including many large and unique-looking species. The three endemic sub-species of the Luangwa are Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra. South Luangwa is also known as the ‘Valley of the Leopard’ due to its high leopard density. Other popular animals include lion, wild dog and eland or Cape buffalo.
Mfuwe International Airport is the hub for air travel. Proflight Zambia flies to South Luangwa from Lusaka all year (frequencies increase in high season). Charter planes also offer seat rates to South Luangwa. All lodges do transfers to and from the airport. South Luangwa can be approached from three directions. The usual route is from Chipata. This is a good road if a little corrugated and the 123km / 76mi drive takes about two hours to Mfuwe, just outside the park. If travelling in a robust 4×4 from Lusaka, it is possible to take a short cut from the Great East Road at Petauke, up alongside the Luangwa River to Mfuwe. This should only be attempted well into the dry season and if you are a very competent and experienced driver. The northern access is from Mpika on the Great North Road or Lundazi, near Zambia’s eastern border with Malawi. Just below Mpika, there is a road running down the Munyamadzi Corridor between North and South Luangwa Parks. It is passable but is generally only open between August and October. It should only be attempted in 4WD and preferably with two extra vehicles in convoy is a long way away. The mountain pass down the escarpment is quite formidable, very rocky and bumpy but the view over this, the tail end of the Great Rift Valley, is spectacular.
The birdlife in South Luangwa can also be phenomenal. The diversity of bird species is immense, with over 450 different types! You may find southern carmine bee-eaters nesting on the banks of the river during your visit. This bee-eater has a brilliant colour that makes it easy to recognize. Most of its body is carmine, but the crown and the undertail are blue for an elegant look. Their eggs hatch around August/September. You won’t miss these guys if they are anywhere near water.
