Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa.
The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km2 Park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. The now-famous ‘walking safari’ originated in this Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand.
The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from; dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush, green wonderland in the summer months.
There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park.
The South Luangwa is home to one of the largest concentrations of hippo in Africa, and the numbers of Nile crocodiles are also remarkable.
The birdlife is a highlight: about 400 species have been recorded – large birds like snake eagles, bateleurs, and ground hornbills are normally easy to spot.
Zambia has three distinct seasons:
- The dry season (May to August), when temperatures drop at night, but the landscape is green and lush.
- The hot season (September to November), the best time to see wildlife as flora is sparse.
- The wet season (December to April) which is ideal for bird-watching. October is the hottest month – temperatures can reach over 40°C
