About North Luangwa National Park
North Luangwa is the wild, sister park of the more popular and accessible South Luangwa National Park. It's mostly a walking destination in the southern wilderness area of the park, and is little visited. The habitat and wildlife is similar to South Luangwa, but animals are less habituated – its main appeal is its pristine bush and lack of other tourists. All the Big Five are can be found, with black rhino protected in an enclosure.
Pros and Cons- Excellent wildlife viewing with all the Big Five present
- The only black rhino in the country can be seen here in a pen
- Remote wilderness area set aside for walking
- Excellent add-on to a conventional safari in South Luangwa
- Self-drive visitors are allowed in the northern part of the park, but need to be self-sufficient
- Very limited, expensive, fly-in accommodation options in the southern wilderness area
Wildlife
The wildlife is similar to what you can see in South Luangwa. All the Big Five are present and can be encountered although black rhino is held in a pen for the time being. The rare, endemic Cookson's wildebeest is more common here than in its sister park and giraffe is absent. Lion and buffalo are regularly seen, as are big herds of eland and Lichtenstein's hartebeest.
More about North Luangwa's wildlife
North Luangwa is part of the southern extension of Africa's Great Rift and is dominated by the Luangwa River. Mopane and miombo woodland, acacia shrub, grassland savannah and riverine forest are some of the habitats that make up this lush valley. The Muchinga escarpment is a prominent landmark in the park.
Want to visit North Luangwa?Safari Reviews
- North Luangwa
Very poor destination for a self travler. Needed a guide in the park. Felt like a military excursion with a armed guard in my vehicle. Not pleasant at all. If you visit Zambia, give North LUangwa a definite skip.
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