South Luangwa

Great For Camping

South Luangwa National Park is said to be one of the most beautiful wildlife parks in all of Africa!  Interestingly, a nature conservationist called Norman Carr who visited the area pioneered the very first photographic and walking safaris in the 1950’s.  Norman built strong ties with the local community and rural chief of the Luangwa Valley and influenced them to demarcate rural land for a game reserve, protected against hunting.  In 1972, the region (9050 km2, spanning Northern, Eastern and central provinces of Zambia, bordered to the east by the Luangwa River and to the west and North West by the Muchinga Escarpment) was proclaimed South Luangwa National Park and a portion of the proceeds from the safaris were invested in the community.  

Most safari bush camps and lodges are nestled along the Luangwa river where abundant wildlife congregate due to surrounding sources of water dry up during the hot season.  This explains why South Luangwa National Park has some of the densest concentrations of animals on the African continent.  December through to March is typically the wet rainy season and most camps close due to flooding and the park being inaccessible. 

This region hosts species that are not found in any other area including the Masai Giraffe (previously known as Thornicroft giraffe), Cookson’s Wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra’s.

Black rhino poaching, sadly destroyed any rhino population in the area, but recent efforts to save and re-introduce black rhino back into the area has a serious focus. (Save the Rhino – Zambia: North Luangwa Conservation Programme)  Approximately 60 species of mammals.  (To name but a few:  various species of antelope, leopard, wild dogs, spotted hyena and if you’re in the right place at the right time – honey badgers, aardvark, porcupine and the rare sighting of the extremely shy pangolin!) 

Birdlife is plentiful with over 400 species including the Southern Carmine Bee Eater, Steppe Buzzard, Steppe Eagle, Storks, Kingfishers, Crowned Cranes and Cormorants.

Further North of the South Luangwa National Park is the remote Nsefu Sector (on the eastern banks of the Luangwa river) area which accommodates fewer guests at a handful of exclusive bush camps.  Here you can very easily be the only safari vehicle witnessing a pack of wild dogs making a kill or a leopard lazing quietly in a giant Ebony tree.

For an even more remote and wild African adventure for the rugged safari enthusiast, the mobile walking safaris and camping is a must!  Go to ‘WHAT’S ON OFFER’ page to find out the details!

Excursions can also be arranged in the village of Mfuwe en-route back to the airport.  Tribal Textiles, an interesting store offering hand painted Zambian woven fabrics and African decor.  Mulberry Mongoose is also a ‘must-see’, selling local jewellery designed and hand made from wire and snares confiscated from poachers.  Cultural village visits can be arranged on request as well as visits to schools and other organisations involved in conservation, community upliftment and support.