Luambe National Park

Pros & Cons

• Reasonable wildlife viewing with four of the Big Five present (rhino is absent)
• Little visited, off-the-beaten-track destination
• Reasonably priced lodge on the bank of the Luangwa River
• Game drives, night drives and guided walks offered
• Convenient stop-over for self-drive visitors between North and South Luangwa
• Less wildlife than in North and South Luangwa
• Small game-drive circuit
• Roads are bad in the Dry season and impassable in the Wet season

Wildlife

All of the wildlife encountered in well-known South Luangwa can be seen in Luambe. Numbers are lower though, and animals are less habituated. There are plenty of antelope around, including puku, impala, bushbuck, kudu and waterbuck. The river is full of hippo and elephant often come through the lodge to drink. Lion and leopard are around, but sightings are infrequent.

• More about Luambe's wildlife

Scenery

The landscape of Luambe is comprised of open plains and miombo woodland. The Luangwa River is the park’s lifeline, and several lagoons hold permanent water. Riverine forest flanks the river.

Weather & Climate

Luambe has a tropical climate, which means there’s not much variation in temperature throughout the year. The main influences on the weather are the park’s two distinctive seasons. Days are warm and nights are cool in the Dry season (May to October). The Wet season (November to April) brings daily downpours.

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time to Visit

There’s no real choice when it comes to visiting Luambe. There’s only one lodge in the park and it doesn’t stay open outside the Dry season (May to October). This coincides with the prime period for wildlife viewing, when animals gather around the local lagoons and rivers. In the wetter months, it’s simply not realistic to try and explore this remote, waterlogged area.

• More about the best time to visit

Want to Visit Luambe NP?

• Luambe Safaris and Tours
• Tour Operators for Luambe