South Luangwa National Park is one of the best destinations loved in the South of Africa, Zambia. With a high concentration of animals around the Luangwa River and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa, the park exposes you to a different kind of world. A realm of wilderness, populated with different wildlife species.
The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 km2 Park and hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds, and vegetation. The commonly and famous ‘walking safari’ originated from this South Luangwa National Park and is still one of the finest ways to experience Africa’s pristine wilderness first-hand. There are 60 different wildlife species and over 400 different bird species in South Luangwa National Park. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.
With about 400 species of birds appearing in the Park, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species, there is plenty of amazing birds to watch and spot, whatever the season.
An interest in the vegetation of Zambia will enhance your experience of the bush. Some magnificent trees and plants grow in the Luangwa Valley and it certainly adds to the richness of one’s experience to be able to recognize the different tree species and to discover exotic wildflowers.
Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula and the magnificent tamarind tree. The are some magnificent baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire.
What You Are Likely To See While In South Luangwa National Park Zambia
If you’re staying at one of the Valley’s lodges, the guides will ensure you have every opportunity to see all that the valley has to offer of its wildlife, birds, and varying vegetation and habitats.
- African wild dogs,
Also known as the painted wolves, are some of the major attractions in South Luangwa. Although they are declared endangered, the Wild dogs are in a small population around Africa. They are great hunters with a lot of aggressiveness, and they hunt in packs.
- Majestic Lions,
South Luangwa is home to an impressive population of Lions. The wilderness has exposed them to be the real Kings of the Jungle. They are great hunters as well, hunting solo. Female lions tend to stay away from male lions mostly with their cubs, or in groups of female lions. - Lean Leopards
Leopards generally are known to be very elusive and dangerous. Generally, they are amazing hunters, love to hunt solo and keep their meals on trees. - Elephants
The gentle giants of Africa, are one amazing wildlife species that are great to site and interact. They face extinction, and that’s a threat to their existence. The government of Zambia plays a great role in their protections. You will spot them in huge herds while grazing or at a water hole. - Buffalo
Buffalos are part of the big five wildlife species. They live in heard and old bulls are always isolated to live alone. Isolated bulls are prone to get hunted by the big cats, and also tend to very dangerous and aggressive when they sense danger. - HIPPO
The hippopotamus is one animal you won’t miss. As you cross over the bridge into the park there are usually between 30 and 70 hippos lounging in the river below and most of the dambos and lagoons will reveal many. There is estimated to be about 50 hippos per kilometre of the Luangwa River! - ZEBRA
Zebra can be seen running in small herds of about a dozen. The difference between Zambia’s zebras and those in the south and east of Africa are in the stripes. Here they are evenly spaced as opposed to broad light stripes with a faint shadow stripe in-between. - ANTELOPE
The Park has 14 different antelope species, most of which are easily seen on game and night drives. Watch out for the elusive bushbuck, preferring to inhabit densely covered areas. The common duiker is not that common near the Luangwa River but inhabits the back country of the Luangwa Valley. The largest of the antelope is the eland, usually near the Nsefu sector of the Park. The most numerous antelope is the impala, these gregarious animals can be seen in herds all over the Park. Not to be confused with the puku, of similar size but a much fluffier buck with a rich orange coat and also prolific. - KUDU
Perhaps the most beautiful is the Kudu, with its majestic spiral horns and delicate face. Although fairly common, they’re not always easy to find due to their retiring habits and preference for dense bush. Reedbuck, roan, sable, hartebeest, grysbok, klipspringer and oribi are all here but not prolific in the central tourist area of the Park. They tend to stay deeper in the remote parts towards the Muchinga escarpment.
