Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is dubbed by experts as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its ox bow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa

The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the park’s 9050 sq km. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife birds and vegetation. The now famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this park and is still one of the finest ways to experience this 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. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species. The only notable exception is the rhino, unfortunately poached to extinction.

Wildlife

If you’re staying at one of the Valley’s lodges, the guides will ensure you have every opportunity to see all that the valley has to offer of its wildlife, birds and varying vegetation and habitats. If you’re in your own vehicle, be sure to get a map of the park from the Crocodile Farm at the park entrance and follow the loop roads graded in the park, past dambos bursting with hippos, crowned cranes, grazing antelope and scurrying baboons.

The Antelope; the park has 14 different antelope species, most of which are easily seen on game and night drives. Watch out for the elusive bushbuck, preferring to inhabit densely covered areas. The common duiker is not that common near the Luangwa River but inhabits the back country of the Luangwa Valley. The largest of the antelope is the eland, usually near the Nsefu sector of the park. The most numerous antelope is the impala; these gregarious animals can be seen in herds all over the park. Not to be confused with the Puku, of similar size but a much fluffier buck with a rich orange coat and also prolific.

The Hippos; There is estimated to be at least 50 hippos per km of the Luangwa River! This is one animal you won’t miss. As you cross over the bridge into the park there are usually between 30 and 70 hippos lounging in the river below and most of the dambos and lagoons will reveal many.

The Giraffe; The giraffe is the world’s tallest animal, with mature bull reaching 5m or more. It also has the largest heart of the terrestrial mammal. They are also in plenty in Luangwa.

The Zebra; can be seen running in small herds of about a dozen. The difference between Zambia’s zebras and those in the south and east of Africa are in the stripes. Here they are evenly spaced as opposed to broad light stripes with a faint shadow stripe in-between.

The Lion; Biologists reckon there is no better measure of ecological health than a high predator count, so it say much for Luangwa, as it one of the sanctuaries hosting Africa’s largest Leonie population. These are as plentiful in the Luangwa as anywhere else in Africa, but when a kill is made away from the central tourist area, the pride may stay away for several days and may not be seen by visitors on a short stay. Very often they roam in prides of up to thirty.

The Leopard; Luangwa National Park boasts of a significant population of Leopards although not so easy to spot as they tend to retreat when they hear vehicles. Many of the Lodge’s game trackers are skilled in finding leopards on night drives however, and often visitors are rewarded with a full view of a kill.

The Hyenas are fairly common throughout the valley and their plaintive, eerie cry, so characteristic of the African bush can be heard on most nights.

Bird life in Luangwa;

A checklist of 1,130 bird species makes Zambia one of Africa’s great ornithological destinations. Bird watching is superb in the Valley. Near the end of the dry season, when the river and oxbow lagoons begin to recede, hundreds of large water birds can be seen wading through the shallows. With about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species of birds appearing in the Valley, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty for the birdwatcher to spot, whatever the season.

The red faced yellow billed storks move along with their beaks open underwater, disturbing the muddy liquid with their feet until the fish flop into their mouths. The pelicans tend to operate in lines abreast, driving the fish before them into shallows before scooping them up into their beak pouches. The striking 1.6m saddle bill stork makes quick darting movements into the water. Then there’s the marabou stork, great white egrets, black headed herons, open billed storks and the stately goliath heron that can stand in the same position for hours before pouncing. Of the most beautiful are the elegant crowned cranes, with their golden tufts congregating in large flocks at the salt pans.

Getting there and away;

Driving; one can approach from three sides. The usual route is from Chipata. This is a good road if a little corrugated and the 123km drive takes about two hours to Mfuwe, just outside the Park. If traveling 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. Only to be attempted well into the dry season. A good overnight stop along the way is at the Luangwa River Bridge at

Domestic flights; Proflight Zambia is the only scheduled airline flying in Zambia now. They fly daily to South Luangwa and Livingstone from Lusaka all year (frequencies increase in high season). Mfuwe Airport recently achieved international status and various airlines were looking at scheduled flights from abroad

By Air; there are a number of charter companies in Zambia, which can fly to and from Zambia’s top destinations. All lodges do transfers to and from the airport.

Travel tips – When to Go;

Seasonal changes are very pronounced in Luangwa. The dry season starts in April and intensifies through to October, the hottest month when game concentrations are at their height. Warm sunny days and chilly nights typify the dry winter months of May to August.
The wet season commences in November as the leaves turn green, and the dry bleak terrain becomes a lush jungle. 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.

Where to Stay;

For luxury safari lodges to laid-back bush camps, in Luangwa are the best places to stay to enjoy southern Africa’s premier wildlife destinations. There are a handful of lodges that remain open all year in the central area of the park. Park Accommodation is available at Tena Tena, Toka Leya Lodge, Kawaza, Kapamba Camp, Kapani Lodge, Chikoko Trails Camps and Kaingo. And recently bush camps are now opening in the “Emerald Season”.