Alan is a renowned Africa expert and has authored many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Zambia.
Alan is a renowned Africa expert and has authored many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Zambia.
Alan is a renowned Africa expert and authored the Lonely Planet guidebook to Zambia.
Alan has authored the Lonely Planet guide to Zambia.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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...
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,...