South Luangwa National Park
Zambia's South Luangwa National Park (some 9 050 square kilometres in extent) is the country’s second largest National Park, and is arguably the most famous. The South and North Luangwa Parks were created in 1938, and with additions of land, what is now the South Luangwa National Park’s boundaries were finalised in 1972. The Park is mostly set on the floor of the Luangwa valley, set between the meandering Luangwa River (with its myriad ox-bow lagoons) to the east and the steep Muchinga Escarpment to the west, and is in two eco-regions.
Although they are both woodland savannah, there is a difference in vegetation, with the southern Miombo (Brachystegia) on the higher slopes, while the Zambezian and Mopane woodlands are on the valley floor. Within the woodland savannahs are extensive grasslands areas, which allow for a good number and variety of both browsers and grazers.
Due to it’s geographical ‘restriction’, the concentration of wildlife in the South Luangwa is above average, and there is also an excellent diversity of mammals and birds – there are some 60 mammal species, of which 14 are antelope species alone, and over 400 species of birds (over 50% of the recorded species in Zambia); of which 39 are birds of prey and a further 47 are migrants. In addition, the South Luangwa is also reputed to have the highest concentration of leopard in Africa, with an estimate of 1 leopard for every kilometre of river in the Luangwa Valley – making for an increased chance of a visitor seeing one of these fascinating and beautiful cats.
The Luangwa River itself is home to huge populations of hippo and crocodile. The Park is also home to the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay's Zebra. In terms of predators, lion is abundant, as are leopard, and there is a good population of wild dog. Visitors will also have the chance to see good herds of elephant and buffalo.
Perhaps not surprisingly, birding is superb in the Luangwa Valley. Towards the end of the dry season, as the River and the lagoons are at their lowest levels, hundreds of large waterbirds can be seen – in particular yellow-billed storks, pelicans, saddle-bill storks, marabous, great white egrets, black headed herons, open-billed storks and the delightful goliath heron. Then there are the wonderful crowned cranes, which congregate at the salt pans.
At the start of rains is when the palearctic migrants from Northern Europe and the intra-African migrants arrive – and include the red chested cuckoo, white stork, European swallow, swift, hobbies and bee-eater, along with some of the prey species, such as the Steppe eagle and Steppe buzzard – which travel from parts of Russia. Perhaps one of the most photogenic sights is the multitude of brightly coloured carmine bee-eaters which nest in the steep sandy banks of the River.
Much of the Park’s attraction also lies in the woodland and forests, with the more common species including mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, some beautiful specimens of baobab, large ebony forests, vegetable ivory palm, marula and the magnificent tamarind tree.
South Luangwa has also made its name as THE Park in which to experience a walking safari – arguably the best way to experience the bush, the wildlife, and nature in general. Guiding and safety are of an exceptionally high standard.
It is not all walking, as most properties also offer game drives, thus allowing for the best of both worlds, when it comes to exploring the diversity and richness of the Park, which includes open grasslands, Mopane forests, and riverine woodlands. This is home to an incredible density of wildlife, which places the South Luangwa in the ranks of the not-to-be-missed game areas, as the seasonal floodplains allow for an environment which can sustain good numbers and diversity of wildlife.
There are pronounced seasonal changes in the Park – with the dry months generally being April to October (which is also the hottest month). The rains begin in November, and last to March - the best time to see the migratory birds. The Lodges stay open as long as possible, as there are some closures due to accessibility.
Mfuwe Airport (some 30 minutes’ drive from the Park’s main entrance) recently achieved international status, however, at present, Proflight Zambia is the only airline flying scheduled domestic flights in Zambia. They fly daily to South Luangwa and Livingstone from Lusaka all year (frequencies increase in high season). There are also flights between Mfuwe and Lilongwe in neighbouring Malawi, making for an excellent bush and lake experience. The flight schedules also tend to be seasonal, with fewer flights during the “emerald season” (November to April).
There is also the Nyamaluma Gate, some 50 kilometres to the southwest, where access is by pontoon across the River.
Although they are both woodland savannah, there is a difference in vegetation, with the southern Miombo (Brachystegia) on the higher slopes, while the Zambezian and Mopane woodlands are on the valley floor. Within the woodland savannahs are extensive grasslands areas, which allow for a good number and variety of both browsers and grazers.
Due to it’s geographical ‘restriction’, the concentration of wildlife in the South Luangwa is above average, and there is also an excellent diversity of mammals and birds – there are some 60 mammal species, of which 14 are antelope species alone, and over 400 species of birds (over 50% of the recorded species in Zambia); of which 39 are birds of prey and a further 47 are migrants. In addition, the South Luangwa is also reputed to have the highest concentration of leopard in Africa, with an estimate of 1 leopard for every kilometre of river in the Luangwa Valley – making for an increased chance of a visitor seeing one of these fascinating and beautiful cats.
The Luangwa River itself is home to huge populations of hippo and crocodile. The Park is also home to the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay's Zebra. In terms of predators, lion is abundant, as are leopard, and there is a good population of wild dog. Visitors will also have the chance to see good herds of elephant and buffalo.
Perhaps not surprisingly, birding is superb in the Luangwa Valley. Towards the end of the dry season, as the River and the lagoons are at their lowest levels, hundreds of large waterbirds can be seen – in particular yellow-billed storks, pelicans, saddle-bill storks, marabous, great white egrets, black headed herons, open-billed storks and the delightful goliath heron. Then there are the wonderful crowned cranes, which congregate at the salt pans.
At the start of rains is when the palearctic migrants from Northern Europe and the intra-African migrants arrive – and include the red chested cuckoo, white stork, European swallow, swift, hobbies and bee-eater, along with some of the prey species, such as the Steppe eagle and Steppe buzzard – which travel from parts of Russia. Perhaps one of the most photogenic sights is the multitude of brightly coloured carmine bee-eaters which nest in the steep sandy banks of the River.
Much of the Park’s attraction also lies in the woodland and forests, with the more common species including mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, some beautiful specimens of baobab, large ebony forests, vegetable ivory palm, marula and the magnificent tamarind tree.
South Luangwa has also made its name as THE Park in which to experience a walking safari – arguably the best way to experience the bush, the wildlife, and nature in general. Guiding and safety are of an exceptionally high standard.
It is not all walking, as most properties also offer game drives, thus allowing for the best of both worlds, when it comes to exploring the diversity and richness of the Park, which includes open grasslands, Mopane forests, and riverine woodlands. This is home to an incredible density of wildlife, which places the South Luangwa in the ranks of the not-to-be-missed game areas, as the seasonal floodplains allow for an environment which can sustain good numbers and diversity of wildlife.
There are pronounced seasonal changes in the Park – with the dry months generally being April to October (which is also the hottest month). The rains begin in November, and last to March - the best time to see the migratory birds. The Lodges stay open as long as possible, as there are some closures due to accessibility.
Mfuwe Airport (some 30 minutes’ drive from the Park’s main entrance) recently achieved international status, however, at present, Proflight Zambia is the only airline flying scheduled domestic flights in Zambia. They fly daily to South Luangwa and Livingstone from Lusaka all year (frequencies increase in high season). There are also flights between Mfuwe and Lilongwe in neighbouring Malawi, making for an excellent bush and lake experience. The flight schedules also tend to be seasonal, with fewer flights during the “emerald season” (November to April).
There is also the Nyamaluma Gate, some 50 kilometres to the southwest, where access is by pontoon across the River.
