Liuwa Plain National Park – Overview

Liuwa Plain National Park is one of a kind. Sandy tracks run through flat grassy floodplains, creating endless vistas in every direction. Small depressions fill up with the first rains of the season to set in motion Africa’s second-biggest wildebeest migration. Up to 35,000 wildebeest, accompanied by thousands of plains zebras, gather here – a spectacle to be witnessed by just a few lucky visitors.

Best Time To Go

November (Animals gather on the plain)

High Season

Never (The park is rarely visited)

Size More info

3,660km² / 1,413mi²

Altitude More info

1,022-1,056m / 3,353-3,465ft

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Pros & Cons

• Home to a migration of wildebeest, zebras and other grazers
• Good park management under African Parks
• Remote, little-visited park
• The park has only one luxury camp, but it is excellent
• Game drives, walking and canoe safaris offered
• Limited variety in wildlife
• Very seasonal park
• Strong 4x4 with high clearance needed for sandy tracks
• Accommodation options are limited

Wildlife

Tens of thousands of blue wildebeest converge on Liuwa Plain with the first flush of green grass at the beginning of the Wet season. They are accompanied by big herds of plains zebra and smaller groups of red lechwe. Lions and cheetahs follow the migration. But the dominant carnivore here is the spotted hyena, which live in clans of up to 50 individuals, and is often seen socializing and – most excitingly – hunting.

Scenery

Liuwa Plain has a very different environment to other Zambian parks. Golden grasses are replaced by carpets of wildflowers before the rains change the expansive landscape to a watery wonderland. Dramatic skies touch the horizon in the far distance. Small pockets of woodlands and the odd solitary palm tree form the only landmarks in an otherwise remarkably flat vista.

Weather & Climate

Liuwa Plain has a hot, tropical climate. There isn’t much change in daily temperatures, but the mercury notably rises in the buildup to the Wet season (November to April), making things uncomfortably hot on the ground. The Dry season is overall more pleasant, although nights can get cold from June to August.

Best Time To Visit

Unlike most other parks, the Dry season (May to October) is not the best time to travel to Liuwa Plain. Wildlife viewing is very seasonal, and the big herds arrive after the first rain (usually November). This gives a small window for drive-in visitors as the roads might become impassable from December onwards. Fly-in visitors stay at Time + Tide King Lewanika, which is open from mid-October to mid-July.

Want To Visit Liuwa Plain NP?

• Liuwa Plain Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Liuwa Plain