5 Reasons to visit North Luangwa - Luangwa Valley safaris

Why choose to visit South Luangwa?

One of Africa's most outstanding national parks and affectionately known as the 'valley of the leopard,' South Luangwa National Park is one of the iconic wildlife reserves in Africa.

Here are five reasons why South Luangwa is a must visit for wildlife enthusiasts.

/ 01

The Highest Density of Leopard in Africa

Often nicknamed the "Valley of the Leopard," South Luangwa boasts the continent's most concentrated, naturally occurring population of this elusive big cat. The park's diverse riverine forests and oxbow lagoons provide ideal hunting and resting habitat, making your chances of a quality leopard sighting significantly higher here than almost anywhere else. Combine this with the high quality of guiding and you are set for unparalleled predator encounters.

/ 02

Endemic and Abundant Wildlife

The lifeblood of the Luangwa Valley is the winding Luangwa River, which sustains a massive, diverse wildlife population. The concentration of animals around the river and its lagoons, especially during the dry season, is phenomenal. Crucially, the park is home to three endemic subspecies you won't find elsewhere: the graceful Thornicroft's Giraffe, the striking Cookson's Wildebeest, and the uniquely patterned Crawshay's Zebra. This biological isolation makes the park a must-visit for wildlife connoisseurs.

/ 03

The Iconic Luangwa River Scenes

The park’s landscapes are a huge part of its appeal. With open floodplains, mopane woodlands, forests of ebony and the winding Luangwa River, South Luangwa offers striking scenery throughout the year. The river itself is the lifeline of the valley, attracting massive pods of hippos, herds of elephant and almost constant wildlife activity along its banks.

/ 04

The "Emerald Season" Birding

While the dry season (May to October) is famed for game viewing concentration, the wet season (November to March), known as the "Emerald Season," transforms the park into a lush, green paradise. This period is a bonanza for bird enthusiasts, as over 400 species call the park home, including a spectacular influx of migratory birds. The highlight is the phenomenal gathering of thousands of vibrant Southern Carmine Bee-eaters nesting in the river banks, turning the area into a vivid, buzzing spectacle.

/ 05

Gateway to the Greater Luangwa Valley Wilderness

South Luangwa National Park is the perfect anchor for a wider, more diverse safari adventure. Its infrastructure and accessibility make it the ideal starting point for exploring the wilder, more remote parks to the north. South Luangwa’s proximity to Luambe National Park and the rugged, pristine wilderness of North Luangwa National Park means you can easily combine three distinct experiences into one seamless multi-camp safari package. Start with the classic game viewing of the south before flying or driving into the untouched solitude of the northern parks—offering an unparalleled journey across the entire Luangwa Valley ecosystem.

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Who is Luangwa Valley Safaris?

Luangwa Valley Safaris a collection of 3 safari lodges owned or operated by Everwild. The 3 lodges are Luambe Horizons, North Luangwa Skybeds and Nkonzi Camp.