After years of poaching, Luambe National Park is slowly returning to its former glory. Aside from black rhino, all the usual wildlife is present. Elephants and buffalo are regular visitors to the lagoon, and there is a good variety of antelopes. Hundreds of hippos gather in the river in front of Luambe Camp in the Dry season and crocodiles are abundant too.
Wildlife Highlights
Luambe is home to several very localized subspecies. Herds of Thornicroft's giraffe, endemic to the Luangwa Valley, form a perfect picture when feeding on shady sausage trees. Another subspecies unique to the valley is Cookson's wildebeest, numbers of which are increasing rapidly. Also of interest is the local subspecies of plains zebra, the Crawshay's zebra with its distinct narrow stripes.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The middle until the end of the Dry season – July to October – is the best time for wildlife viewing in Luambe. At this time, animals gather at the lagoons, and the vegetation thins out making spotting easier. The park becomes totally inaccessible in the Wet season (November to April), and the only camp operates from June to October.
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