South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s most famous wildlife park, covering an area in excess of 5,600 square miles (9,050 square kilometres). Sustained by the great Luangwa River the park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The changing seasons add to the park’s richness, ranging from dry bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green in the summer in this pristine wildlife wilderness.
Rise early each morning, when game viewing conditions are at their best, to view wildlife either on foot or from an open top safari vehicle in this great conservation area. With over 60 different animal species, the concentration of game around the Luangwa River and its ox bow lagoons is amongst the highest in Africa, including four of the Big 5 – lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard (sadly rhino has been poached to extinction). Also search for zebra, giraffe, antelope and much more, with leopard sightings being particularly outstanding.
Birding is also outstanding with over 400 different species, including large flocks of cranes. From late August to October you can enjoy the amazing spectacle of thousands of southern carmine bee-eaters nesting along the river banks. From November numerous migratory birds start to arrive to exploit the feeding opportunities presented during the warm rainy season - including red chested cuckoo, hobbies and birds of prey such as steppe buzzards that travel from as far afield as Russia.
After relaxing at your lodge during the heat of the day, in the late afternoon set out on another game activity with your ranger. In the evening relax by the campfire under a balmy African sky and hear the untamed sounds of wildlife all around.