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Lion cub, South Luangwa National Park

Visit South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Visit South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

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Zambia's most famous safari destination, South Luangwa National Park is tropical, wild, beautiful and full of game.

Situated in a wide rift valley, the park is flanked by the Muchinga escarpment to the west and the meandering Luangwa River to the east.

Wildlife of South Luangwa National Park

Much of the game is found near the river, with herds of elephant and buffalo descending the dusty banks to drink. Large crocodiles laze on sandbanks and at dusk hundreds of hippo leave their pools and lumber up the banks to graze. Impala and puku are common and the beautiful Thornicroft’s giraffe can be seen in the dappled forests. Cookson’s wildebeest, Crawshay’s zebra, waterbuck, bushbuck, grysbok and oribi are also found. Predators abound with lion and spotted hyena, while the leopards are always a highlight.

Birdlife

Finally, there are over 400 species of bird with highlights including flocks of crowned cranes, colonies of carmine bee-eaters and a breeding colony of yellowbilled stork.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris are a speciality in the Luangwa. Accompanied by guides and scouts, walks explore the riverbanks and pretty dambos with their green Nile cabbage and crocodiles. There are also day and night drives in open 4x4s.

The Green Season

Hippos, South Luangwa National Park, ZambiaIn November the Luangwa receives its first rains. Short downpours followed by warm sunshine lead to an explosion of vegetation. Grass grows to six feet tall, trees flower, pans fill and rivers burst their banks. Animals take advantage of the abundant food to give birth to young, and flocks of migrant birds arrive. It’s a time of plenty, when the parks are colorful and bursting with life.

During the rains Kapani, Nkwali and Tafika run green season safaris exploring the tributaries, flooded pans and accessible plains. These are superb for birdwatching and seeing Africa at its most vibrant.

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Suggested itineraries featuring South Luangwa National Park

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in South Luangwa National Park, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of South Luangwa National Park

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near South Luangwa National Park

    Photos of South Luangwa National Park

    • Pukus in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
      Pukus in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
    • Game drive in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
      Game drive in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
    • South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
      South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
    • Walking across the Kapamba River
      Walking across the Kapamba River
    • Walking the Kapamba River, South Luangwa National Park
      Walking the Kapamba River, South Luangwa National Park
    • Walking safari in the Luangwa Valley
      Walking safari in the Luangwa Valley
    • Elephant in the Luangwa River
      Elephant in the Luangwa River
    • Wild dog kill in the Luangwa Valley
      Wild dog kill in the Luangwa Valley

    Accommodation choices for South Luangwa National Park

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit South Luangwa National Park. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.

    • Flatdogs Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Flatdogs Camp

      Medium

      Far from a traditional safari camp, Flatdogs combines a relaxed vibe with excellent safari opportunities from its location bordering Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park.

    • Lion Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Lion Camp

      First Class

      Hidden deep in the South Luangwa National Park, Lion Camp is a friendly, personal camp with a great sense of style. The views over open grassland and grazing varieties of antelope create a sense of calm which belies the population of local predators, making for great game viewing.

    • Nkwali Safari Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Nkwali Camp

      Deluxe

      Nkwali Camp, located on Robin Pope's private land along the river bank and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, has six open fronted chalets allowing you to fully appreciate the view.

    • Luangwa Safari House, South Luangwa National Park

      Luangwa House

      Deluxe

      This is one of the 'Houses of Zambia' which have been built to offer guests a superb luxurious and private safari experience. This is the ultimate in tailor-made with your own chef and safari guide to look after you.

    • Luangwa River Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Luangwa River Camp

      First Class

      Located on the banks of the Luangwa River under an ancient ebony tree lies the Luangwa River Camp. The small size of the lodge means there is a lot of flexibility as regards game viewing activities.

    • Robin's House, South Luangwa National Park

      Robin's House

      First Class

      Robin's House has been beautifully decorated but manages to be totally unpretentious and just feels like a warm family home. The staff are excellent and it's a great place for families or groups of friends.

    • Zungulila Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Zungulila Bushcamp

      First Class

      Zungulila is the latest addition to the Bushcamp properties. The tented camp is set on a raised knoll overlooking a plain, with the Kapamba River snaking across one side of the plain into the distance.

    • Mchenja Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Mchenja Bushcamp

      Deluxe

      Mchenja is a real treat, boasting the most beautiful position high up on the banks of the Luangwa and the perfect combination of luxury with a real 'bush' feel.

    • Chamilandu Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Chamilandu

      First Class

      Chamilandu offers comfort, class and beauty in one of the Luangwa Valley's prime remote river locations. The area is known for good leopard.

    • Tena Tena, South Luangwa National Park

      Tena Tena

      First Class

      There is no doubt that Tena Tena is a top-notch safari camp. The tents are very luxurious and views of the river from camp stunning.

    • Chinzombo Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Chinzombo Camp

      Deluxe

      Back in the 1970s Chinzombo Camp was Norman Carr's base during the Green Season (November to May). Now this area on the banks of Luangwa River has been given a new lease of life and Chinzombo is offering a new and unique accommodation in the same pioneering spirit of Norman Carr.

    • Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa National Park

      Mfuwe Lodge

      First Class

      Mfuwe Lodge is a great place to stay as it has every comfort and yet it is still in Luangwa park. We particularly love the hippo pool in front of the lodge. You can sit on your balcony and there's always something to see from the hippos and birds to animals coming to drink from the waters.

    • Luwi Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Luwi Bushcamp

      First Class

      Luwi is a very simple camp. The camp staff, guides and rangers are all very good and there's always a friendly relaxed atmosphere around camp. It's in a very wild location with a hippo pool nearby.

    • Nsefu Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Nsefu

      First Class

      Nsefu Camp is beautiful and stylish. The views from the lawn of the river are lovely and when staying there we often saw elephant come to drink near camp in the early morning. Activities from Nsefu focus on the Nsefu Sector of the park — a particularly rich game area.

    • Bilimungwe Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Bilimungwe

      First Class

      Nestled in riverine forest in an exclusive area of the park, Bilimungwe is small and personal and specializes in walking safaris, but can also accommodate limited game viewing by vehicle.

    • Chindeni Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Chindeni Bushcamp

      First Class

      Chindeni is only a six kilometer walk from Bilimungwe, so early morning walks between the camps provides an ideal opportunity to enjoy both of these camps. It is also possible to enjoy day and night drives.

    • Kakuli Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Kakuli

      First Class

      Kakuli is never a quiet camp as over 400 hippo live in the stretch of the Luangwa River in front of camp. The guides and camp staff are superb and it's a wonderfully laid back and friendly camp.

    • Kuyenda Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Kuyenda Bushcamp

      First Class

      Kuyenda is a wonderful bushcamp situated in a very remote area of the park on the banks of the Manzi River. It is a wonderful walking area and activities are tailored to the client needs.

    • Mwamba Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Mwamba

      First Class

      Mwamba Bushcamp is a tiny camp beside the seasonal Mwamba River providing an opportunity for those of a more adventurous spirit to explore the Luangwa's heartland.

    • Kaingo Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Kaingo Camp

      First Class

      Kaingo is a peaceful lodge in a prime position in the Luangwa valley. The addition of private outdoor baths and decking complete with comfy chairs in front of each chalet overlooking the river is a lovely touch.

    • Nsolo Bushcamp, South Luangwa National Park

      Nsolo Bushcamp

      First Class

      Nsolo is an excellent camp which has recently been completely rebuilt after a fire destroyed the old site. Guided walks from the camp, often following the course of the Luwi, are a real treat, and it is a great area for lion, buffalo and zebra.

    • Chikoko Tree Camp, South Luangwa National Park

      Chikoko

      First Class

      As there are no roads, Chikoko is a true walking camp on the bank of the Chikoko River. It is ideal for the real wildlife enthusiast who wants to explore with some of Africa's most experienced guides.