There’s something undeniably special about Kuyenda. Set beneath shady trees by the Manzi River, it may be the simplest of our camps, but Kuyenda embodies the authentic charm of old Africa, with its cluster of six raised reed and thatch rondavel chalets and a central lounge and dining area with a back-to-nature feel.
A unique lodge that redefines the safari experience, KuKaya gives you the freedom of choice to design your own private safari. KuKaya has six beautiful and very spacious tented thatched villas (5 doubles and one single), all with additional sleeping space available. Each villa comes with its own private guide and vehicle.
The intimate Mwamba Bush Camp features just 4 tranquil rooms, authentically recreated each year using woven reed, thatch and other natural materials.
Located in the heart of the South Luangwa National Park, Nkonzi Camp provides a unique bush camp experience and first-class guiding.
Set around two lagoons, shaded by a canopy of ebony and mahogany trees, award-winning Mfuwe Lodge is the perfect place to ease into Luangwa life.
Here, the traditions of the African bushcamp meet elegance and style to create a stunning camp that feels like it has grown organically out of the surrounding landscape. Set beneath a huge mahogany tree, the heart of Bilimungwe is the cool, shady lounge area that looks out over one of the camps three waterholes.
South Luangwa National Park is approximately 9050 sq. km of unspoilt woodland savannah spanning the banks of the Luangwa River and its lagoons that meander through the Park. This unfenced Park has the steep escarpment to the West and the Luangwa River to the East. The Park supports large numbers of Thornicroft’s giraffe, elephants, Cape buffalo and various predators among the 80 mammal species found in the Park. Bird lovers will not be left out, with over 400 of Zambia’s 732 species found in the Park, including many raptors and migratory birds.
Flights arrive several times a day with Proflight Zambia to Mfuwe Airport or the area is ideal for self-drivers up for an adventure.
We can thank South Luangwa for pioneering the concept of photographic and walking safaris. The vision of conservationist Norman Carr and the area’s Paramount Chief of the 1950s spurred the South Luangwa National Park into what is today a premier wildlife destination in southern Africa.
At the southern tip of the Great Rift Valley in eastern Zambia, and sustained by the Luangwa River, the region has a rich diversity of fauna and flora and remains relatively undeveloped.
Here, we reveal ten top attractions of South Luangwa, sure to tempt your wanderlust into visiting this pristine wilderness and beacon of Africa’s conservation successes.
Easy to Get to – Easy to Stay
As South Luangwa’s popularity has grown, so has the infrastructure necessary to ensure the park can accommodate visitors from near and far. The town of Mfuwe and its airport is the gateway to this 9,050 km2 wildlife paradise.
Whether you choose to camp or splash out on a 5-star lodge, there is an excellent selection both outside and inside the park. Visitors can hire a 4×4 vehicle and opt for a self-drive safari or leave it to the professionals and join a guided tour.
Spectacular Landscape for Man and Beast
Even from afar, the South Luangwa appeals to the eye, lying at the foot of the Muchinga escarpment. The park’s lifeblood is the Luangwa River, which snakes along the park’s eastern boundary, reduced to scattered pools in the dry season.
Mature riverine thickets give way to alluvial floodplains before mixed grassland morphs first into a miombo and then mopane woodland. This gradual transition of habitats means that wildlife is diverse, mixed and abundant. By night, the skies sparkle with the Milky Way, while dawn and dusk promise jaw-dropping horizons painted in heavenly hues. Some lodges even offer camp out options where you can sleep under the stars like the above photo from Three Rivers Camp.
Endemic Species of South Luangwa
Aside from the Luangwa Valley and its surroundings, three species of herbivores are found nowhere else, including:
Crawshay’s Zebra
Cookson’s Wildebeest
Thornicroft Giraffe
The Crawshay’s zebra is a subspecies of Plains zebra with distinctively narrow stripes. The Cookson’s wildebeest is another subspecies, distinguishable from its widespread relative, the Blue wildebeest, by its coppery flanks and markings on the head and neck. And lastly, due to environmental factors, Thornicroft’s giraffes are a geographically isolated subspecies thought to have followed a different evolutionary path. They complement a total of 60 other mammal species recorded in the South Luangwa National Park, from tiny shrews to African elephants.
Heaps of Hippos
The Luangwa River is said to boast the highest density of hippos in Africa, with nearly 50 individuals per kilometre of river – and a total population of over 5000! While these hippos can disperse in the Wet Season (November-April), as the Dry Season (May-October) progresses, the amount of water in the Luangwa River decreases until only scattered pools and wallows are left.
Relatively peaceful when water is plentiful, hippos become moody creatures as the waters recede. Dependent on the water and cooling mud to protect their sensitive skin, they are forced to fight for space, while territorial bulls fuel the chaos.
Walking on the Wild Side in South Luangwa
Since Norman Carr first brought walking safaris to the area, thousands of people have experienced the thrill of exploring the wilderness and encountering Africa’s big game on foot. The walking guides of South Luangwa enjoy a reputation as being amongst the best in the business for their professional conduct and intimate knowledge of the area’s ecosystem and its inhabitants.
Whether on short walks, or multi-day camping expeditions, the sense of connection to the outdoors is undeniable. Walking safaris give participants a chance to experience nature from the ground up, learning about things often missed from vehicles, such as…
The Little Five – And the Big Four
South Luangwa boasts four of Africa’s notorious Big 5, including:
Lion
Leopard
Buffalo; and
Elephant.
To appreciate the wonder of South Luangwa, it pays to acknowledge the smaller inhabitants too, which particularly fascinate children on safari. Africa’s Little Five include:
Ant-lion
Leopard tortoise
Red-billed buffalo weaver
Elephant shrew; and
Rhinoceros beetle.
A visit to South Luangwa reinforces the fact that ecosystems work best when a myriad of species are present, each playing its part in the healthy functioning of the whole. Species occupy different habitats and ecological roles. There are carnivores, herbivores and scavengers, some active by day and some by night.
Things That Go Bump in The Night
At night around the campfire, you’ll hear many noises not heard during the day – you might listen to the hoot of owls, the baying of jackals, or the whooping of hyenas on patrol.
As the temperature cools, many species only get active after sunset. Some use the darkness to hide from predators, while some use it to hide from their prey. Seeing species such as bush babies, genets, civets, honey badgers, and servals is a special treat. Many of them are seen within the confines of the camps. South Luangwa National Park is unique in the fact that visitors can join night safari excursions by spotlight, which is forbidden in many other parks in Southern Africa.
Secrets Behind Shiny Eyes on Safari
Exploring the wilderness after dark in South Luangwa with an expert guide with an uncanny ability to spot the reflective eyes of things like spiders, chameleons and bush babies is not to be missed.
Seen by few, watching an animal go about its “nightly” life illuminated by a spotlight, is a reminder that there is so much in nature that happens while we’re not there to witness it. But, of all these behaviours, it is probably those of predators that are most appealing, and South Luangwa has plenty!
A Parade of Predators
Often referred to as the “Valley of the Leopards”, South Luangwa is renowned for the number of leopards and the quality of the sightings. The riverine and dappled woodland habitats are prime leopard territory and are often found during the day, draped on a tree, or stalking the undergrowth by night.
Lions and hyenas continue their battle for dominance of the plains; both are sociable predators using teamwork for success. Cheetahs, meanwhile, do most of their hunting by day, to reduce the chance of losing their prey to their predatory competitors. Wild dogs are known to visit South Luangwa National Park frequently as well.
Bountiful Birds in South Luangwa
During the Wet Season, the lush vegetation bursts with verdant colours and birdsong. The ranks of the resident bird species are supplemented by the arrival of numerous Summer Migrants species that feast on abundant food.
Later, at the end of the Dry Season, thousands of colourful Carmine Bee-Eaters congregate along the steep banks of the Luangwa River, where they burrow nests and raise their young over a three-month period. South Luangwa is a haven for both novice and experienced birders – and once again, the guides will impress you with their identification skills.
No doubt, whether you’re a first-time wildlife photographer or a seasoned safari aficionado, a visit to the South Luangwa National Park has more than enough to keep you in its thrall. However, one never knows what surprises await around the next bend in the river or road through Africa’s Eden.
All photos on this page credited to Kafunta Safaris in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
Mfuwe is the closest town to South Luangwa National Park and is 700km from Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city.
Zambia’s International Airport, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, located in Lusaka, is the gateway to Zambia. Regular flights take visitors to Mfuwe International Airport from Lusaka, just outside the Park. It is also possible to fly directly to Mfuwe from Lower Zambezi NP.
People driving to the Park arrive via Chipata on good tarred roads.
South Luangwa National Park characteristically has two seasons, and both have their advantages and disadvantages:
The dry season: This season runs from April to October. Days are clear and warm to hot with no chance of rain. The dry weather results in the bush thinning out, making the sighting of animals more accessible. Animals tend to congregate around the river and lagoons to drink. Less water lying around means fewer mosquitos, so malaria risk is decreased. However, temperatures in October can get extremely hot, reaching the high 30’s (degrees centigrade). The air can get dusty and dry.
The wet season: This season runs from November to March. Called “the emerald season”, the rains result in a lush, green landscape, allowing the most opportunities to see young animals which tend to be born during this time. Birdwatching is fantastic, with many migratory bird sightings. However, the heat and humidity can be intense, and game viewing may be more challenging. Some roads may become inaccessible due to the muddy conditions, and some lodges close during this time.
