Facts about Liuwa National Park Zambia

Facts about Liuwa National Park Zambia

Facts about Liuwa National Park Zambia. Liuwa National Park is situated in the Western province of Zambia which is on the upper Zambezi flood area but bound by River Luambimba to the North and River Luanginga to the south. The name Luiwa is a local word meaning plain in the Lozi Language. Liuwa National Park covers about 3369 square kilometers of land but in the past this was a hunting ground for the paramount chief Lubosi Lewanika of the Lozi tribe.

You may also like;

Filming in Luiwa National Park.

By 1880s, King Lubosi Lewanika designated this area as his hunting ground but later in 1972, the Zambia government took over the responsibility of managing this wildlife area and then upgraded it to Liuwa National Park

Over time pressure from the increasing population and hunting affected Liuwa National Park leading to the loss of some animal species like lions. In 2003, the African Parks took over management in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife plus the Barotse Royal establishment.

Liuwa National Park is rich with flora and fauna with some of the notables being blue wildebeests, Zebras, Tsessebe, Oribi, Lechwe, African wild dogs, Cheetahs, leopards, elephants, cape buffaloes, hyenas to mention but a few. Several vipers find their way into Liuwa National Park.

More than 334 birds are residents of Liuwa National Park some of which include bustard cranes, pelicans, grey herons, marabou storks, White bellied bustards, saddle billed storks, blacksmith lapwing, Pel’s fish owls, black winged pratincole, spur-winged bustards and others.

The vegetation of Liuwa National Park is composed of grassland, Rafia palms and woodland, swamp areas around the riverine section of the park.

Brief History of Liuwa National Park?

Prior to recognizing this area as a National Park, it was a hunting ground for Litunga of Lozi tribe. Litunga is the title given to the Paramount chief of the Lozi people. The Litunga who reigned from 1842 to 1916 was called Lubosi Lewanika as he benefited from this hunting ground and by the 1880s he designated it as a protected area.

The government of Zambia later designated this area to protect the wild animals from unlawful poaching which had claimed a number of wild animals including the lions whose last descendant Lady Liuwa was last seen in 2017 but died from natural causes.

Over time lions and lioness have been reintroduced to Liuwa National Park by African Parks and with the Department of National Park and Wildlife but have been killed too. During the lions rehabilitation program some of the lions that were reinstated in the parks included Nakawa, Sepo and others but these faced almost the same danger as their predecessors.

The decline in the population of wild animals in Liuwa National Park is partly attributed to poaching, hunting for trophies, an increase in population which exerts pressure on the natural resources of the park, climate change and much more. Contact us.

What To Do and See in Liuwa National Park Zambia

Game Drives in Liuwa National Park

Liuwa National Park is a great game viewing destination in Zambia. Driving through the tracks of this vast Nationals Park especially in the morning and Late afternoon may offer you an opportunity to encounter wild animals like Cheetahs, herds of buffaloes, herds of elephants, waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, Wildebeests, red Lechwe, spotted hyenas, elands, roan antelopes, statungas, lions, African Wild dogs and others.

 During the rainy season especially in November millions of Blue wildebeest mixed with some Zebras from Angola find their way into Luiwa National Park in search for greener pastures.  This wildebeest migration in Liuwa National Park is the second largest to the Great Wildebeest Migration from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Birding in Liuwa National Park Zambia

Taking a birding safari in Liuwa National Park Zambia is never a disappointment with several birds that flock to the park premises. To get the best results from birding in Liuwa National Park, you have to start early morning with your birding guide.

Some of the bird species you may spot in Liuwa National Park include White bellied bustards, saddle billed stork, open billed storks, pelicans, grey crowned cranes, pink billed lark, martial eagles, spur winged geese and others.

The summer months of Zambia are the best birding season that is April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November in Liuwa National Park with chances of sighting foreign migrant birds.

Sightseeing in Liuwa National park.

The beauties of Liuwa National Park are immense especially the evergreen vegetation influenced by the rivers that flow. A Number of wild animals also spend their time in the environs of this park and you can spot then during the adventure. Several water bodies punctuated by the swamp vegetation creates picturesque environment to make memories of your safari in this park.

Sport Fishing in Liuwa National Park

The presence of Rivera that is River Luambimba and River Luanginga provides a conducive environment to enjoy sport fishing, in order not to deplete the fish species of these river, catch and release formula is used. Carry your own fishing equipment and purchase a fishing permit in advance.

Some of the fish species you may get chance to catch on sport fishing adventure in Liuwa National Park include Tilapia, tiger fish and others.

Koumboka Festival In Liuwa National Park

The Koumboka festival in Liuwa National Park happens when the plains are flooded. The King and his subject make a procession by boat to the higher grounds of the park.

A visit to the Lady Liuwa gives in Liuwa National Park is memorable as she is one of the lions that withstood the harsh time in the park when many lions were hunted and poisoned. She was first sighted in 2002 and was believed to be carrying the spirit of Mabeti a member of the Lozi tribe who dies in Liuwa National Park.

 Mabeti was a grandmother to a number of people who work as staff in Liuwa National Park. The Lioness Lady Luiwa was occasionally seen visiting the grave of Mabeti.

When is the best time to Visit Liuwa National Park?

Liuwa National Park is open for a visit all year however the dry season that is June to December is most preferred when the wildebeest migration is in high gear. Even other animals marked their way into the park to enjoy its free supplies. The topography of Liuwa National Park being generally flat enables you to spot some of these  animals and stunning features nestled from afar since the grass is lower

The dry season enables you to navigate Liuwa National Park quickly because the tracks are dry but dusty.

For those desiring to enjoy the fruit bats, they are more visible between November and December as they gradually come into Liuwa National Park and Leave not at ago

Don’t ignore visiting Liuwa National Park in the wet season that is March, April, May because there is a lot of interesting features to see too. If case you are seeking tranquility away from crowded destinations, the wet season is timing when the park receives less visitors. Contact us for more information.

How To get To Liuwa National Park

Flying to Liuwa National Park from Kalabo airstrip to Liuwa National Park is the best option for those seeking Luxury travel.

What is the cost of safari in Liuwa National Park?

The cost of safari in Liuwa National Park varies with package you choose. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we package our safaris according to Luxury, Mid range and basic. To cost these Zambia safari packages, some of the factors we consider include a number of people traveling with, activities to take part in, number of days on safari, time of booking the safari and much more.

It is best to book your Zambia safari to Liuwa National Park in advance to avoid inconveniences since sometimes the number of visitors is restricted to avoid overcrowding the park.

Is Liuwa National Park safe for a Zambia Safari?

Security is guaranteed in Liuwa National Park with both well trained park ranges and other government security agencies on the ground. They often conduct patrols in and around Liuwa National Park in order to prevent unlawful acts like setting snares, poaching and much more.

As a tourist, you must abide by the rules of the park in order not to fall victim of circumstances. You must not walk in Liuwa National Park without an escorting ranger guide of lodge staff because the park also hosts predators although rarely seen. Making noise in the park is forbidden because you may attract the wild animals or push them further into hiding yet others would like to view them too

Don’t touch the wild animals or fruit bats while in Liuwa National Park because they are wild animals with mood swings and also so of may be disease carrying so keep some distance from them. For more information, contact our team.

Are Children allowed to Visit Liuwa National Park?

Children can travel to Liuwa National Park as long as they are in the company of a responsible adult. Do brief the children about the park and what is expected of them while they stay in the park so that they are not shocked on arrival. Always keep an eye on the children while in the park so that they don’t wander into the park where they can get lost or encounter some dangerous animals.

How Long Is A Safari In Liuwa National Park?

Liuwa National Park has so many interesting features that you cannot exhaust seeing in a very short time. The time taken exploring the park on a game drive is hard to determine but open your mind because most of the animals are scattered in different corners of the park.

During the dry season, navigating through the tracks of Liuwa National Park may be faster compared to the wet season when the park tracks are logged with water and flooded. You need to use a 4X4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition in order not to get stuck.

What To Pack For A Safari In Liuwa National Park

•  Carry sunscreen as Liuwa National Park is in the tropics where the sunrays are strong so you need to protect your skin.
• A pair of binoculars to capture a closer look at the surroundings of Liuwa National Park especially the different landforms around the city.
• Canvas shoes especially if you have to walk as the ground is sometimes very hot and also your feet need to be protected from the rough surfaces along the way.
•  Pack a light bag where you can pack some of your belongings as you go out on safari.
• Insect repellant to keep away biting insects that may cross your way like mosquitoes. Zambia is a tropical country where you may have some harmful insects that may make you uncomfortable with a bite.
• Rainproof proof gears especially during the wet season. During the rainy seasons, it gets so much and may prevent you from proceeding with the visit.
• Safari hat or cap to protect your head from the dust and buzzing insects
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects.
• Some warmers because Zambia experiences cold conditions early morning and late afternoon.
•  Foldable drinking water bottle to quench thirst during the Tour in Zambia
• Some clothes to wear while traversing Liuwa National Park. Be mindful of the culture of the communities in Zambia so that you do not appear to offend them.
• First aid kit in case of an emergency. It should also contain prescribed medication from a professional doctor.
• Extra batteries fully charged to exchange with in case your one runs low.
• Duffel bag so that you can carry your belongings in case you have to help yourself.
• Some cash to use for on ground purchases as credit cards are no easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.
• Snacks to munch on when you are Kasansa tour in case you get hungry.
•  A camera to keep memorable moments while on a visit to Zambia there are many moments that happen
• Flip flops to wear while relaxing at your lodge or hotel.

Contact us for more information about Luiwa National Park.