​Overview – South Luangwa NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip has travelled through Zambia several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.

Philip is the Zambia expert for SafariBookings and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s most-visited park. This is because four of the Big Five are easily seen here: lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo (only rhino is missing). That makes it a real treat if it’s your first safari. But the high standard of guiding makes the park a favorite with repeat visitors too.

 
View Photos (29)
Open Map
Best Time to Go July to the mid-November (Animals are easy to find)
High Season July to October (Busy and high-season rates apply)
Size 9,050km² / 3,494mi²
Altitude 482-1,687m / 1,581-5,535ft
+27 Photos

Pros & Cons

  • Excellent wildlife viewing
  • Some of the best guides in Africa work in South Luangwa
  • Great night drives and walking safaris
  • Lots of choice for upmarket accommodation
  • The sky gets very hazy in the Dry season
  • All budget accommodation is outside the park

South Luangwa NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

You can’t miss seeing big herds of elephant and buffalo in South Luangwa, and probably some lion and leopard too. There are plenty of other animals too. Some of them you won’t see anywhere else except in Zambia: Thornicroft's giraffe, Crawshay's zebra and Cookson's wildebeest.

Scenery

South Luangwa is one of the most beautiful parks in southern Africa, especially when the late-afternoon light reflects off the Luangwa River. Locally known as 'The Valley', the terrain is a mix of mopane and miombo woodland, acacia shrub, grassland savannah and riverine forest. A walking safari will give you time to really appreciate it.

Weather & Climate

It’s hot in South Luangwa throughout the year, but nights are cooler in the Dry season months from May to August. The heat builds up from June/July and is at its worst in October – just before the rains. Afternoon showers are common in the Wet season (November to April).

Best Time to Visit

The sunny, dry season months are best for spotting animals – especially July to September. If you visit South Luangwa during the wetter months (November to April), you’ll understand why this is called the ‘emerald season’: beautiful greenery and really fresh air.

Want to Visit South Luangwa NP?

South Luangwa NP Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Alan Murphy  –  
Australia AU

Alan is a travel writer and author of over 20 Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guides to Southern Africa and Zambia & Malawi.

South Luangwa walking safari
5/5

There is definitely something unnerving and rather intoxicating about plodding through the bush knowing you're in the sights of many wild animals - but in their domain. That's exactly how I was feeling in South Luangwa, Zambia's best known...

Full Review

All 12 Expert Reviews
Latest User Review
Graeme  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Jul 29, 2019
5/5

Game density and diversity are both excellent in the park, with four of the Big Five present as well as hippos, giraffes, greater kudu, spotted hyenas and many other incredible species. The park's vistas over the river are beautiful,...

Full Review

All 60 User Reviews Write a Review