South Luangwa National Park | Zambia Walking Safaris & More
South Luangwa National Park | Zambia Walking Safaris & More. Not without good cause have experts proclaimed South Luangwa to be among the world’s top wildlife sanctuaries. Among the most densely populated areas in all of Africa is the area bordering the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons.
Central to this 9,050km2/5,623mi²park is the Luangwa River, the largest and most undamaged main river system in Africa. It serves as a sanctuary for numerous plant and animal species. South Luangwa is the birthplace of the now-iconic “walking safari,” which is among the best opportunities to see the unspoiled natural beauty of Africa up close and personal. From arid, barren bush in the winter (April–October) to a verdant paradise in the summer (November–March), the scenery changes dramatically, adding to the richness of the year-round experience. South Luangwa National Park is home to more than 400 bird species and 60 other animal species. Tragically, poaching has driven the rhino to extinction, making it the sole noticeable exception.
From spring to autumn, winter to summer, birdwatchers can see a wide variety of wildlife in the park, which is home to 400 out of 732 bird species in Zambia. This includes 39 kinds of prey and 47 seasonal migrants.
Your time in the bush will be more enjoyable if you are interested in the flora of Zambia. Luangwa Valley is home to some truly remarkable flora, and it will enrich your experience to be able to identify the many tree species and find rare wildflowers.
Some of the valley’s more frequent trees are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, ivory palm, marula, and superb tamarind. Amazing baobab trees and several sizable ebony woodlands are on display.
South Luangwa National Park Facts
Area: 9 050km² / 5 623mi²
Founded in: 1972
Provinces: Northern, Eastern and Central Zambia
Co-ordinates: 12.9410° S, 31.9045° E
Best Time to Visit South Luangwa National Park Zambia
Luangwa experiences very noticeable seasonal fluctuations. During the driest part of the year, which starts in April and continues all the way until October (the hottest month), game populations are highest around the few remaining water sources. From May through August, the dry winter months, you may expect warm bright days and cool evenings.
In November, the arid, desolate landscape becomes verdant and lush as the leaves change colour, signalling the start of the wet season. With the arrival of the migratory birds in their thousands, the rainy season comes to a close at the end of March. Depending on their location, the lodges remain open for as long as access is feasible. In the heart of the park, you’ll find a number of lodges that are open year-round.
Getting There
BY AIR
Mfuwe International Airport is the hub for air travel.
Flights to South Luangwa are available year-round via Lusaka by Proflight Zambia (with more frequencies during peak season). Flights to South Luangwa can also be arranged via charter planes. Airport transfers are available at all properties.
BY CAR
There are three ways to reach South Luangwa. The most common starting point is Chipata. The 123 km / 76 mi drive to Mfuwe, just outside the park, takes around two hours on this decent but slightly corrugated road. One can take a shorter route from Petauke on the Great East Road, along the Luangwa River to Mfuwe, if they are travelling in a strong 4×4 from Lusaka. Only a highly skilled and experienced driver should attempt this, and only after the dry season has passed.
You may reach the northern part of the country via Mpika on the Great North Road or Lundazi, which is close to the eastern border of Zambia with Malawi. The Munyamadzi Corridor connects the North and South Luangwa Parks with a route that begins just below Mpika. You can get through it, although it’s usually only open from August to October. The distance is too great to try without four-wheel drive and, ideally, two additional cars in a convoy. Despite the treacherous, rocky, and rough mountain path that descends the escarpment, the vista across the Great Rift Valley’s tail end is breathtaking.