'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.'

Size & Location: 9050 square kilometres
When to visit the park: The dry season April - October
Climate: Summers can be very hot and humid
Rainfall: Unavailable
Altitude: Unavailable
Lodges & accommodation: Luangwa accommodation
Lodges & accommodation: Zambia safari & Zambia accommodation

PARK INFORMATION:

The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the park's 9050km2. The South Luangwa National 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.

If you're staying at one of the Valley's lodges, the guides will ensure you have every opportunity to see all that the valley has to offer of its wildlife, birds and varying vegetation and habitats.On the plains you're bound to see the large elephant herds, reaching up to 70 in number. Buffalo are abundant and spread throughout the valley.

The hippopotamus is one animal you won't miss. As you cross over the bridge into the park there are usually between 30 and 70 hippos lounging in the river below and most of the dambos and lagoons will reveal many. There is estimated to be at least 50 hippos per kilometre of the Luangwa River!

Lions are as plentiful in the Luangwa as anywhere else in Africa, but when a kill is made away from the central tourist area, the pride may stay away for several days and may not be seen by visitors on a short stay. Very often they roam in prides of up to thirty.

Hyenas are fairly common throughout the valley and their plaintive, eerie cry, so characteristic of the African bush can be heard on most nights.

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.

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