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| Zambia: What to see | |||
| South Luangwa National Park | |||
>see photographs Best known for Known as one of the most secluded wildlife territories left in Africa and the best game viewing opportunities combining 8 carnivore, 17 antelope, 5 primate and 20 other wildlife species and 400 species of birds. Walking safaris originated here in the South Luangwa and are still extremely popular. The Park is known for its leopard population and spectacular sightings of the same. Most lodges include two to three hours worth of night spotlight driving into their late afternoon game drives. South Luangwa National Park is the ultimate safari destination and a generally high standard of service can be expected from the lodges and operators within this Park. Location Situated in north-east Zambia and 250 km northeast of Lusaka, the South Luangwa National Park has the Luangwa River as its eastern boundary, and the Muchinga 1100 metre escarpment as its western boundary. A narrow corridor separates it from the North Luangwa National Park. Size The impressive South Luangwa National Park covers an area of 9 050 square km, roughly the size of Yellowstone National Park. Wildlife This is a wildlife paradise - not only boasting a variety of species but also high concentrations of wildlife particularly in the drier winter months. The species endemic to the Luangwa Valley are the Thornicroft's giraffe and Cookson's wildebeest. There are an estimated 50 hippos per kilometre of river, more hippo and crocodile exist in Luangwa than in any other river in Africa. One can view four of the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. The antelope species in the Park include bushbuck, common duiker, grysbok, hartebeest, impala, klipspringer, kudu, oribi, puku, reedbuck, roan, sable and wildebeest. Other species seen here are baboon, caracal, vervet monkey, side striped jackal, wild dog and zebra. Being more active at night the following animals can be seen on a night drive: owls, nightjars, grazing hippo, honey badger, lion, leopard, African civet, genet, serval, hyena and bush baby. The bird life of the Luangwa Valley is superb. Its 400 species include 39 raptors and 47 migrant species. Water birds include: yellow-billed stork (there is massive a nesting colony within the Park), saddle-billed stork, open-billed stork, pelican, goliath heron, and black-headed heron. The migrant species include bee-eaters (the carmine bee-eaters nest in the banks of the river), white storks, red chested cuckoo, European swallow, Steppe eagles and Steppe buzzard (from Russia). Environment The altitude of the Park varies between 500 and 800 metres above sea level. The meandering Luangwa River has changed its course over time leaving ox bow lagoons at its sides that fill up when the river is in flood - and will gradually dry out during the dry season. Thus the river and the deepest ox bow lagoons are the main water source in late winter resulting in great concentration of wildlife in this area. Vegetation The flat landscape of the South Luangwa consists mainly of woodland areas near the river, with pockets of open grasslands in amongst the woodlands. The large trees stand about 10 to 20 metres apart with grasses and shrubs to growing between them. The woodland species include mopane, leadwood, winter thorn, ebony, marula, tamarind, as well as some spectacular baobab trees and vegetable ivory palms. The grassland areas are not short grass plains, but rather have long grasses and some bushes but no trees creating the feeling of openness although (particularly in the wetter summer months) lacking the visibility one would expect from plains such as those of the Serengeti. Climate and when to go The dry season begins in April and ends at the end of October with the first rains. The warmest months of September and October are when the game viewing is best since the bush is dry and sparse making visibility excellent, and the fact that the animals are concentrated near the river as their main water source. The rainy season is from November to March during which time the bush changes from being dry and barren, to being wet, dense and green. The migrant birds arrive from November when the rains start. The southern part of the Park is accessible throughout the year since the roads are generally good and there is a bridge over the river. The northern section of the Park is not accessible by road in the rain season and hence the camps in this area are seasonal existing only in the dry season. Activities Game viewing can be done on foot, in a vehicle, boat, microlight and on horseback (near Mfuwe). The evening spotlight drives provide viewing of nocturnal creatures, and on occasion to see the stalking and capture of prey. This is a bird watchers paradise and the guides are very knowledgeable. Accommodation A dozen or so exclusive lodges are on offer including: Kapani Safari Lodge and its sisters Kakuli Bush Camp, Luwi Bush Camp, Mchenja Bush Camp and Nsolo Bush Camp. Tena Tena Camp is another highly reputed option. A few budget self-catering camps also exist and National Parks offers chalets, bush camps and campsites. How to get there By road One can approach the Park from three sides and the most common is from Chipata. Chipata to Mfuwe is 123 km and takes approximately two hours. The second access is from the north: one travels from Mpika on the Great North Road OR from Lundazi, near Zambia's eastern border with Malawi. Just below Mpika a road runs through the Munyamadzi Corridor of land between the North and South Luangwa National Parks. This is rough terrain, particularly when descending the escarpment. A 4WD vehicle is recommended, and you travel in convoy with at least one other vehicle since this is a remote area where help is not easily available. The final possible access is only viable late in the dry season and is from the Great East Road at Paetauke - travelling up along the Luangwa River. By air The airport at Mfuwe and domestic flights operate several times a week from Lusaka. International charter flights can clear customs at Mfuwe. There are charter companies that have regular scheduled flights to Mfuwe. The Mfuwe Airport is 20 kilometres from the entrance to the South Luangwa National Park. The lodges will have someone there to meet one at the airport if one arrives with a reservation already made. |
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