Facts About South Luangwa National Park Zambia

Facts About South Luangwa National Park Zambia

Facts About South Luangwa National Park Zambia. South Luangwa National Park is a gem in the jewelry of African game safari destinations offering untouched wildlife experiences. This park is located in the eastern part of Zambia covering an area of about 9050 square kilometers. In 1938, it was recognized as a game reserve but later upgraded to a National Park in 1972.

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Filming in South Luangwa National Park

The rich fauna and flora of South Luangwa National Park is the magnet that wins referrals and returns clients every year. Some of the animals you may have a chance to see while in South Luangwa National Park include herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, oribi, impalas to mention but a few. A long list of birds including foreign migrants find safety in South Luanga National Park.

The presence of the Luangwa River which meanders in South Luangwa National Park is the lifeblood of this park where numerous wild animals concentrate. The park has natural boundaries with Luangwa River on the eastern border, steep Muchinga escarpments to the west, central provinces forming the North Western boundary.

South Luangwa National Park is one of the most sought after safari destinations in Zambia with more chances of receiving repeat visitors all year. The South Luangwa National Park is part of the great African rift valley system of which it is at the tail end.

Brief history of South Luangwa National Park

The South Luangwa National Park was first called Luangwa Game Reserve by Norman Carr in 1904. He was a British Philanthropist with zealous in conservation. Later on in 1972, this game reserve was recognized as South Luangwa National Park.

Carr managed to convince the Paramount chief to surrender part of the tribal land to turn it into the game reserve and set up a game viewing camp. This is where photographers and tourists on walking safaris get the best experiences so proceeds accrued are injected back into the community.

Walking safaris in Africa were conceived in South Luangwa National Park and were first conducted by Carr who was then a ranger guide in this park during the 1940s. For more information about the history of Luangwa National Park, contact us.

What to do and see in South Luangwa National Park

Game drives in South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is a game viewing haven in Africa with great opportunities of identifying a variety of animals and birds. During early morning and late evening game drives, you may get the opportunity to identify animals like herds of elephants, cape buffaloes, giraffes, oribi, impalas, zebras and others. South Luangwa National Park is one of the few untampered wildlife destinations in Zambia which still presents its prehistoric nature.

South Luangwa National Park offers chances to do day and night game drives.

While on game drive, you may recognize some of the fantastic birds that spend time in the environs of this park.

Birding in South Luangwa National Park

Birding in South Luangwa National Park is always rewarding with over 400 bird species including about 39 raptors. It is best to do birding in South Luangwa National Park starting early morning so as to catch more birds as they part from there nests to face the day. Birding in South Luangwa National Park is more rewarding at the end of the dry season when the rivers and oxbow lakes reduce in size which also attracts migrant birds from as far as Europe.

During birding in South Luangwa National Park, you may encounter species like saddle billed stork, hornbill, black headed herons, steppe eagles, carmine bee eaters, crowned cranes, steppe buzzards, open billed stork and others. Having an experienced and knowledgeable birding guide is an added advantage to a very successful birding safari in Zambia.

Walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park

Other than the usual game drives in vehicle, you can decide to meet nature on foot. This must be with an armed range guide in your company because South Luangwa National Park also hosts predators. During the walk, you may encounter some wild animals like herds of elephants, herds of cape buffaloes, waterbucks, bushbucks, giraffes, oribi, kudus, puku and others.

This is one of the ways to test your level of anxiety because you may encounter some predators but you need to follow the guidelines of the ranger guide in order not to cause chaos in the park.

Before setting off for the half or full day walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, you need to hire a porter to help carry your belongings as this lifts off your shoulder the burden of having to be dragged back. It is best to do some pre Zambian safari exercises so as to keep fit and strong for the entire time in the wilderness.

Mountain Biking in South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is an engaging Zambia safari destination with opportunities of interacting with nature. During the guided mountain biking adventure at the Tafika bush, you enjoy the beauty of nature, the stunning scenery, sparkling water sources and much more. look out for the wild animals that wander throughout the park and birds.

When Is The Best Time To Do A Safari In South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is open for about 6 months of the year because of the nature of the soils which may get impassable especially during the severe rainy seasons. The dry season which is June, July, August, September and October and is most sought after by tourists. The weather is more friendly allowing vehicles to drive through the park with less chance of getting stuck due to the slippery nature of the ground.

In general, the grass in the park is lower creating better chances to spot a variety of wild animals. Due to high demand for safari to South Luangwa National Park, expect to share space with many other tourists. Even logistics like accommodation, vehicle hire and others that support this Zambia safari run out so chances of disappointments for last minute bookings may be open.

Costs for amenities that support safari in South Luangwa National Park are higher because of the high demand.

During the west season which is normally March, April and May, there may be fewer bookings to South Luangwa National Park which allows the park to rekindle and rejuvenate. Chances of witnessing new births are more common in this season, you may get less disturbance from other tourists too. It is a moment to relax and reflect on the moments in life without sharing the same space with crowds. This is one of the few parks where animals are not faced with constant human presence which keeps them in their authentic nature.

What Is The Cost Of Safari In South Luangwa National Park

The cost of safari in South Luangwa National Park varies with factors like the number of people traveling, timing, number of days on safari, activities to engage in and others. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we package our safaris according to upmarket, mid-range and budget.

The cost of park entrance fees is compulsory to any tourist as this contribution to the conservation fund that is used for park maintenance.

Booking the safari to South Luangwa National Park is best in advance to avoid inconveniences at the last minute.

How to Get to South Luangwa National Park

By Road

Having a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle is important if destined for South Luangwa National Park. From Lusaka, you use the road leading to great east road at Petauke then along the Luagwa River to Mfuwe. This road is however still in poor condition but worth using in the dry season.

From the North direction start from the Mpika on the Great North Road or Lundazi which is at the border of Zambia with Malawi, head to Munyandazi Corridor between North and South Luangwa Park.

By Air

Charter flight arrangements can be made in advance when destined for South Luangwa National Park. Advance booking is required in order to make all necessary clearing.

Which Accommodation To Book For Safaris In South Luangwa National Park

 Different options of accommodations are available in South Luangwa National Park but these are packaged according to luxury, mid-range and basic. Some of the accommodations of South Luangwa National Park include Chikoko trail Camp, Chikunto Safaris Lodge, Kulandira Camp, Sandire River Lodge, Mwamba Camp, Swala Luangwa Camp and others

During the peak season, the demand for accommodations in and around South Luangwa National Park is high creating scarcity for last minute bookings.

Can Children do a safari in South Luanga National Park

Tourists of all ages can do a safari in South Luangwa National Park as long as they are in company of an a responsible adult. For the children to enjoy the experience of the jungle, they need to be briefed about what they can expect while on safari so that they are not shocked. The jungle gets sometimes intimidating for children which may cause they to throw some tantrums.

Noise in the jungle is not accepted because it causes discomfort and stress to the animals. Ensure that the children are always under your watchful eye so that they do not wander into the wilderness.

Why visit South Luangwa National Park

In case you are looking for authenticity during an African safari, taking a safari in South Luangwa National Park is one of the answers. The park still bears its pristine nature with different species of animals and birds. You can never be bored while in South Luangwa National Park because of the available activities in the park.

By visiting South Luangwa National Park, you contribute to the conservation fund of this park as in the world there are fewer destinations that still bear untamed nature.

When you hire a porter during the walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, you contribute to the livelihood of the locals. It is one of the ways to directly give back to the local community.

If you are tired of the chaos of work but wish to receive great safari treatment away from the every normal, taking a visit to South Luangwa National Park is enough therapy and its lodges are a home away from home. You get treatment of your budget that will keep in your memory for along time.

What Is The Guidelines Of Safari In South Luangwa National Park

• Feeding the animals while on safari in South Luangwa National Park is forbidden because they must search for their own food.
• Calling out on the animals while in the South Luangwa National Park is forbidden because it disturbs the wild animals and may push them into the deeper ends of the park yet others would like to see them too.
• Honor the speed limit while on game drive in the South Luangwa National Park to prevent accidents on both the animals and the tourists. Driving off track is not accepted unless with permission from Zambia Wildlife Authority.
• Never disturb the wild animals by hooting at them as you may cause them to run away yet other tourists would like to have some moment with them just like you have. When you find them crossing stop and wait for them. Some of them may charge at you when you sound the dangerous vehicle horn.
• Do not come with dogs or other pets into the park as chances of getting an infection from the wild animals or the pet may happen which is quite dangerous to conservation.
• Keep all your litter in your car like plastic wraps as these alter the nature of the environment where these animals thrive.
• Carrying ammunition in the park is not acceptable because you may be triggered to use it and kill the wild animals or anyone in your company.
• Never pick flowers or trample on the vegetation in the parks as you destroy the environment where animals thrive. Do not pack anything from the park but just take pictures while on safari and leave only vehicle tyre prints.
• Retain all official receipts for verification at exit so that you are not inconvenienced
• All the park gates are open from 0700 hrs to 1900 hours.

For more information, please contact us.