South Luangwa National Park is a wildlife sanctuary in Zambia, covering an area of 9050 square kilometers. Located in the southeastern part of Zambia, at the southeastern foothills of the Muchinga Mountains, along the midstream of the Luangwa River, it lies northeast of the capital city Lusaka. It is the second-largest national park in Zambia, named after the Luangwa River Gorge on its eastern side, which is part of the East African Rift Valley, with the Luangwa River flowing through it for 660 kilometers, attracting a variety of wildlife. As early as 1904, it was designated as a game reserve by the then British colonialists, and in 1972, the Zambian government established it as a national park.
South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its diverse wildlife species, with the largest populations being elephants and black rhinos, numbering in the thousands. In addition to elephants and rhinos, one can also spot antelopes, giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards, hippos, zebras, wild dogs, and a variety of bird species like crowned cranes, marabou storks, and herons, either along the lakeshores or amidst the flowers, trees, and wild grass. From May to October each year, when the weather is clear, the climate is pleasant, rainfall is scarce, and the grass is low, most birds and animals gather near rivers, lakes, and streams, making it the best time to visit for wildlife viewing. The park has modern lodges where visitors can stay, observe the wildlife activities during the day, and listen to the chirping of cicadas and bird calls at night, providing a tranquil and unforgettable experience.
South Luangwa National Park
Reasons for visiting: One of Zambia’s largest wildlife sanctuaries
Continent: Africa
Country: Zambia
Province/State: Northern Province