South Luangwa National Park, spanning 9,050 km² in eastern Zambia, is renowned for its high concentration of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and hippos. The Luangwa River sustains abundant game, making it ideal for walking safaris and game drives. Its unspoiled landscapes offer one of Africa’s most authentic safari experiences.
South Luangwa National Park is famous for its exceptional wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The Luangwa River, the park’s lifeline, attracts large populations of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles. The park is one of Africa’s best places to see leopards, often spotted on night drives. It is also home to lions, wild dogs, buffalo, and unique species like Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest.
Walking safaris, pioneered here, provide an intimate experience with nature, while game drives offer incredible sightings of predators and prey. Birdwatchers can spot over 400 species, including the colorful carmine bee-eater. The dry season (May–October) is ideal for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around shrinking water sources. With its remote setting and diverse ecosystems, South Luangwa offers an unforgettable safari adventure.
South Luangwa National Park is accessible by air and road. The nearest airport is Mfuwe Airport, with regular flights from Lusaka and seasonal flights from Livingstone and Lower Zambezi. From Mfuwe, it’s a 45-minute drive to the park’s main entrance. Charter flights also serve luxury lodges within the park.
By road, the park is about 8–10 hours from Lusaka via Chipata on mostly tarred roads, though the final stretch can be rough. A 4x4 is recommended, especially during the rainy season (November–April), when some roads become impassable. Many lodges offer transfers from Mfuwe. Self-drive travelers should ensure they have fuel and supplies, as facilities are limited. Despite its remote location, South Luangwa’s rich wildlife and stunning landscapes make the journey worthwhile.
South Luangwa is best visited from May to October for peak wildlife viewing. It’s famous for walking safaris, night drives, and high leopard populations. A 4x4 is recommended for self-drives. Park fees apply, and malaria precautions are advised. Accommodation ranges from budget camps to luxury lodges, with charter flights available.
South Luangwa National Park, covering 9,050 km² in eastern Zambia, is renowned for its rich wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and Thornicroft’s giraffe. It offers walking safaris, night drives, and birdwatching. Best visited from May to October, it’s accessible via flights to Mfuwe Airport or an 8–10 hour drive from Lusaka.
The best time to visit South Luangwa National Park is from May to October, during the dry season, when wildlife gathers around the Luangwa River for easier sightings. Game drives and walking safaris are most rewarding. The wet season (November–April) offers lush scenery but can make roads difficult to navigate.
27.7°c28.1°c27.0°c27.8°c26.8°c25°c23.7°c27.5°c30.7°c29.1°c30.2°c26.9°cSouth Luangwa National Park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs, hippos, and large buffalo herds. It’s famous for high leopard densities and unique species like Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest. Over 400 bird species, including carmine bee-eaters, make it a top destination for wildlife and birdwatching enthusiasts.
Zambia safari Packages
7 Days
Journey to Zambia on this luxurious 9-day safari adventure.
from On Request per person sharing
Kafue National Park, Zambia’s largest and oldest park, spans 22,400 km² and boasts diverse landscapes, from vast wetlands to dense woodlands.
Lower Zambezi National Park, along the Zambezi River, offers breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife. Spanning 4,092 km², it’s home to elephants, lions, leopards, and hippos.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem
4.9 / 5 Based on 1,464 reviews
Oct 2024
Candy and Mabee were the best hosts I’ve ever had on a tour like this. Mabee even sang for us. The entire day was well organized it would be hard to pick one thing that was the best.Read More
Feb 2019
We had a super trip with Joseph as our guide. He was very informative and we had the perfect amount of time at each stop. A great way to see the different sites and fantastic views.Read More
April 2022
Rodney was such a funny and kind tour guide. He makes an effort to find animals for you and is approachable to answer any questions.Read More
Nov 2023
A great tour, felt like we had plenty of time at each stop and our guide, Rodney, was absolutely fantastic. Really informative, relaxed and made the most of our day for us!Read More
Jan 2025
Fabulous trip with many photo stops and wonderful views. Candy and Mabee did a great job of looking after the group (8 of us) and making suitable adjustments to the order of stops to avoid road works and associated traffic queues. Read More
March 2025
It was perfect from start to finish! The wonderful Candy picked us up from our hotel and for the next 9 hours she looked after us like we were family. Read More
