The Luangwa Valley is undoubtedly the best known of Safari Destinations in Zambia. ‘The Valley’ forms the southern tip of the Great Rift Valley and covers and area of just over 9050 sq.km.
The remoteness and geography of the region create a natural catchment area for wildlife with a steep ‘Muchinga’ escarpment on western side rising almost 1000m above the valley floor and the crocodile infested waters on the Luangwa river on the eastern boundary of the park with its many ox-bow lagoons and shady ebony groves.
The Valley can rightly claim its boast of having the highest game densities in Africa. Best known for its Elephant’s from books like ‘Valley of the Elephants’ by Norman Carr who also pioneered the first commercial Walking & Nocturnal Safaris.
South Luangwa National Park is regarded by many wildlife experts as the ‘Best’ Game Park in Africa.
Home to more than 50 mammal species including most famously – Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Wild dog, Hyena, Buffalo, Kudu, Puku, Impala, Bushbuck, Waterbuck, Thornicroft’s Giraffe, Cookson’s Wildebeest (both are unique to the park ) and over 400 bird species including the nesting site for thousands Carmine bee-eaters in the sandy banks of the Luangwa river where the highest density of Nile crocodile & Hippo can be found anywhere in Africa.
It is the favourite ‘stomping’ ground of experts like David Shepherd the famous wild life Painter and Home to African Pioneers like Norman Carr and Robin Pope. There are several established ‘operators’ within the region.