South Luangwa

The Luangwa River winds through the floor of the Great Rift Valley, leaving behind oxbow lagoons, ebony groves and sandy banks crowded with hippos. South Luangwa National Park protects one of the most intense concentrations of wildlife in Africa — and a guiding tradition that began here.

Why South Luangwa

• Leopards. The park is often called the “valley of the leopard”, and night drives — permitted in Zambia’s national parks — give you a real chance of watching one hunt.
• Walking. In the 1950s, conservationist Norman Carr began taking visitors on foot here, creating the walking safari. It is still the best place in Africa to try it.
• Density. The river and its lagoons concentrate elephants, buffalo, lions, wild dog, huge hippo pods and crocodiles, especially late in the dry season.
• Unique wildlife. The Luangwa Valley has its own subspecies, including Thornicroft’s giraffe, found nowhere else, along with Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra.

Where to stay in the park

Mfuwe and the central area is the most accessible part of the park, around the main gate and the Mfuwe airport, with the widest choice of lodges and the most vehicles. The Nsefu sector, across the river to the north, is quieter, with open plains and some of the park’s best game viewing. The remote south and the walking areas host small seasonal bush camps, many of them reached on foot or by vehicle from a main camp, with few or no other visitors. Most good itineraries combine a main lodge with two or three nights at a bush camp.

What you do

• Morning walks with a qualified walking guide and armed scout. See walking safaris.
• Day and night drives in open vehicles — the afternoon drive continues after dark with a spotlight.
• Walking trails between bush camps in the dry season.
• Boat safaris on the flooded river and lagoons in the emerald season.
• Hides overlooking lagoons and, from about August to November, colonies of carmine bee-eaters nesting in the riverbanks.

When to go

The main season runs from about May or June to October, getting drier, hotter and better for game as it goes. September and October are peak months for wildlife, and very hot. From about November to April the rains turn the valley green — the emerald season. Many bush camps close, but some lodges around Mfuwe stay open, offering newborn animals, superb birding, dramatic skies and boat safaris at lower rates. See the best time to visit Zambia.

Getting there

Scheduled flights connect Lusaka with Mfuwe in about an hour and a quarter, and there are connections with Livingstone and the Lower Zambezi in season. From Mfuwe airport, most lodges are a short road transfer away. It is also possible to drive from Lusaka via Chipata, a long day on the road.

Combining South Luangwa

South Luangwa pairs naturally with the Lower Zambezi for canoeing and Victoria Falls to finish: Zambia’s classic ten-night safari. For more walking and even fewer people, add North Luangwa.

Frequently asked questions