Luangwa National Park (and Luambe)

Luangwa National Park is split into two parts. The popular South Luangwa National Park and the remote and exclusive North Luangwa National Park. Halfway between these two parks is the undiscovered Luambe National Park.

These 3 Parks offer the finest wilderness experiences in Zambia. If not Africa itself. The Luangwa Valley is home to Zambia’s largest lion population. National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative has recognized it as one of 21 high-priority lion conservation areas in Africa.

How to get to Luangwa

Mfuwe Airport is the gateway to Luangwa National Park. Scheduled flights depart from Livingstone and more frequently; Lusaka to Mfuwe.

Charter planes can now fly direct; without clearing customs at Lusaka. There are a number of charter companies in Zambia. All the lodges do transfers to and from the airport.

South Luangwa National Park

The enormous park of 9059 km2 is so wild and remote. And so full of wildlife. It would be hard to exceed the safari experience found here. South Luangwa National Park has been called one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa. It is the life-blood of this Park. The wide variety of wildlife and birds are drawn to the River, and its oxbow lagoons.

Some magnificent trees and plants grow in the Luangwa Valley. Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winter thorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula, and the magnificent tamarind tree. There are some magnificent baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire.

South Luangwa Safari

With approximately 400 bird species including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species. There is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot; whatever the season.

Home to four of the Big 5; as there is no rhino in South Luangwa. The Thornicroft Giraffe is unique to the Luangwa valley and should be easily spotted here. South Luangwa is probably the best National Park in Africa for watching leopards in their natural environs.  Hence; it is nicknamed ‘Valley of the Leopard’. It is estimated that there is a leopard every 3km2 within the South Luangwa National park. This equates to a population of roughly 3020 leopards.

The now-famous ‘walking safari’; originated in this Park. It is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness. Ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter. To a lush, green wonderland in the summer months.

When to visit South Luangwa National Park

The dry season is from April to October when you will find impressive numbers of wildlife at the watering holes. The dry winter months are from May to August. The rains come in around November till about March.

North Luangwa National Park

This remote tract of land, covering 4636 square kilometers; has only a few seasonal camps. Access is with one of the few safari operators granted permission to conduct walking safaris. Therefore, it is very wild and untouched. A truly remarkable opportunity to experience Africa as it was.

Although declared a wilderness area, the North Park; was not open to the public for more than thirty years. In 1984, Major John Harvey and his wife Lorna sought permission to conduct walking safaris in the area. For many years were the only operators in this remote wilderness.

Then Mark and Delia Owens; famous for their book ‘Cry of the Kalahari’; set up a research station in the Park in 1989. Through their influence and as a means of helping to curb poaching in the area, the authorities allowed entry to a few more safari operators. They bring limited numbers of people into the Park for guided walking safaris and game drives.

There are very few roads and you are unlikely to see anyone else for the duration of your trip. It lies on the western bank of the Luangwa River. Bordered on the other side by the dramatic Muchinga Escarpment which rises over 1000 meters from the valley floor.

There are a number of tributary rivers running through the Park and into the Luangwa. These play an important ecological role. The crystal-clear Mwaleshi River trickles down the escarpment in a series of small waterfalls. It recedes in the dry season, leaving many pools along the way. This draws the animals from the bush to its banks searching for water.

The vegetation ranges from mopane woodland to riverine forest, open grasslands, and acacia thicket. Trees include the beautiful sausage tree, vegetable ivory palms, red mahogany, and leadwood.

North Luangwa safari

The Park has massive herds of buffalo; that is a spectacular sight when they are seen on the run. Kicking up dust for miles behind them. Large prides of lion inhabit the territory and it is not uncommon to witness a kill. Other common mammals are hyena, Cookson’s wildebeest, bushbuck, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, puku, and impala. Elephant and leopard are also seen; although not as frequently as in the South Park. However; you are more likely to see hartebeest, reedbuck, and eland here.

North Luangwa National Park is also home to the only population of black rhino in Zambia.

All the birds that are in South Luangwa are here too. Sighted regularly are the crowned cranes, purple crested loeries, broad-billed roller, Lilian’s lovebird, the carmine bee-eater, giant eagle owl. And also the Pel’s fishing owl. Occasionally seen are the bat hawk, black coucal, and osprey.

When to visit North Luangwa National Park

Operators in this region conduct safaris in the dry season from June to October; when animal sightings are at their peak. Access in the wet season is virtually impossible.

Luambe National Park

Luambe National Park is on the eastern bank of the Luangwa River; halfway between South and North Luangwa National Park. It is one of the oldest protected areas in Zambia and was first given national park status in 1938. Nevertheless, because of its remote location on the eastern bank of the Luangwa River, the Park has remained essentially unchanged. This is because it is off the beaten track; a secluded, tranquil place not covered by the usual tourist routes. To those who visit it, Luambe is often considered to be the jewel in the crown.