South Luangwa National Park

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

Wildlife

You can’t miss seeing big herds of elephant and buffalo in South Luangwa, and probably some lion and leopard too, because there are so many animals here. A couple of them you won’t see anywhere else except in Zambia: Thornicroft's giraffe, Crawshay's zebra and Cookson's wildebeest.

• More about South Luangwa's wildlife

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', it is incredibly scenic too. It’s 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

South Luangwa gets parched in the Dry season (May to October), when rain just refuses to fall. The heat really starts building from June/July and is at its worst in October. You’d think things would get better in the Wet season (November to April) but the humidity can be very unpleasant. It’s only at the park’s higher altitudes that you’ll start to cool off.

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time to Visit

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. But this isn’t the best time for safaris because the animals are spread across the park and hard to find. Then there’s the heat and waterlogged roads. The drier, sunnier months are much better for spotting animals – especially July to September, before the real heat kicks in.

• More about the best time to visit

Want to Visit South Luangwa NP?

• South Luangwa safaris and tours
• Tour operators for South Luangwa