South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is almost 10 000 sq km in size; situated at the southern end of the Great Rift Valley in Zambia. The South Luangwa National Park is untamed and isolated and renowned for its abundance of wildlife.

The park is divided by the magnificent Luangwa River running from North to South providing the lifeline to the area. The Luangwa River is the most integral river system in Africa and is the life blood of the South Luangwa National Park. Zambia and particularly the Luangwa Valley are famous for offering incredible walking safaris as well as night game drives.

There are several lodges that remain open all year in the central area of the park, while others have to close their doors during the heavy rains. Recently bush camps have opened particularly to enjoy the Emerald Season, offering visitors an entirely new perspective.

The South Luangwa National Park has enormous concentrations of big game and fantastic birding with 450 species. A highlight for bird-watchers is the hundreds of brightly coloured carmine bee-eaters nesting in the sandy banks of the river. The Thornicroft's Giraffe is unique to Luangwa Valley as is Cookson's wildebeest.

Hyenas are fairly common throughout the valley and can be heard most nights. South Luangwa National Park also has a good population of leopard, however they are very elusive. Lions are plentiful and often roam in prides of up to thirty. Other carnivores present but not often seen include caracal, wild dog, serval and side-striped jackal.

The Luangwa River also has a high number of hippo and crocodile. Night drives are exciting and many nocturnal species may be seen, like genets, civets, and bushbabies as well as owls, nightjars, the foraging hippos, honey badgers and lion.