South Luangwa National Park, Zambia – Farside Africa

One of Zambia’s finest parks and one of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries, the South Luangwa National Park is an area of outstanding beauty.

Established as a national park in 1972, South Luangwa National Park is located in eastern Zambia, at the tail end of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Famous for its walking safaris, the 9,059-square-kilometer nature area is sustained by the Luangwa River, which winds its way through the middle of the park leaving a spectacular escarpment and a wealth of lagoons and ox-bow lakes in its wake. This lush landscape supports one of the greatest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, and as such the park has become the safari destination of choice for those in the know.

Did you know?

Birders need to check out the Carmine beaters as they nest in the sandy cliffs of the Luangwa River. The best time to see them is usually around September/October.
The park was originally established to protect the Thornicrofts giraffe.
South Luangwa pioneered the modern walking safari and most of the lodges have main camps on the Luangwa River and seasonal walking camps deeper into the park.
Shenton Safaris have a number of unique photographic hides fantastic for those ground level up close photographs.
The Carmine bee-eaters nest in the sandy cliffs of the Luangwa River. The best time to see them is usually around September/October.
Project Luangwa is a great charity supported by some of the lodges and their visitors, building a brighter future for the children and the communities around South Luangwa. www.projectluangwa.org
The Emerald Season runs from November to May the park is lush and green and boat safaris on the Luangwa river are a speciality.
Mfuwe Lodge, has some very special guests in October and November as elephants arrive to feast on the fallen fruits from the large wild mango tree in the lodge grounds, and regularly saunter through reception for their seasonal treat.
Leopard sightings here are exceptional on my last visit I saw 8 different leopard over 2 days.
Wilddog number have risen enormously in the past years.