Experts have dubbed South Luangwa as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of game around the Luangwa river and it's 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 9050km2. 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, sadly poached to extinction.

South Luangwa has a good population of leopard but they are not that easy to spot and 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.

Night drives are fascinating in the Luangwa. Not only for the chance of seeing a leopard but for the many interesting animals that only come to life at night. Genets, civets, servals, hyenas, and bushbabies as well as owls, nightjars, the foraging hippos, honey badgers and lion.

Birdwatching is superb in the Valley. Near the end of the dry season, when the river and oxbow lagoons begin to recede, hundreds of large waterbirds can be seen wading through the shallows. Of the most beautiful are the elegant crowned cranes, with their golden tufts congregating in large flocks at the salt pans.

There are many varied places to stay in the Valley ranging from luxurious safari camps to budget chalets and camping. Most of the lodges are spread along the east bank of the Luangwa River, in the adjoining Game Management Area, conducting game drives and walking safaris along the west bank, in the Park itself. Some of the Lodges have bush camps deep in the Park for remote walking safaris.

• Kafunta Lodge
• Kapani
• Chichele Lodge
• Bushcamp
• Kaingo Lodge
• Mfuwe
Lodge
• Robin Pope Safaris
• Tafika Lodge
• Luamfwa Lodge
• Kawaza Village
• Flatdogs Camp
• The Wildlife Camp

North Luangwa National Park

There are no lodges open to the public in the North Park but several operators run prebooked, organised safaris there. Shiwa Safaris have two bush camps and their safaris begin at the Shiwa Ngandu estate over the western side of the escarpment.

Zambia's smallest owner-operated camp, Kutandala Camp caters for only six guests on each safari. All the rooms have an unrestricted view of the Mwaleshi River and its flood plain throughout the day.

The Northern third of the park has recently been opened up to self-drive tourists. There is a campsite by the park gate and also several privately run campsites close to the Western boundary of the park. The opening up of this area to self-drive tourists now makes for an interesting cicuitous route through Northern Zambia, taking in Kasanka National Park, Kandalila Falls, Mutinondo Wilderness, Kapishya Hot Springs and Shiwa House. Now instead of having to return by the same route, it is possible to pass through North Luangwa National Park, stay over in Luambe National Park and then carry on to South Luangwa and Mfuwe.

alendo@alendotravel.com.zm

• Lower Zambezi National Park
• Mosi-oa-tunya
• Kafue National Park
• Kasanka / Bangweulu