10 Reasons to Visit South Luangwa

Going on safari is a thrilling experience, but sometimes the planning can seem overwhelming. Should you try to see the legendary ‘Big 5’ roaming the savanna or trek through the mountains in search of the elusive mountain gorillas?

As a diverse continent, Africa offers a range of vastly different safari experiences; figuring out which one is right for you is key. Whilst each country has its own draw, Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park is the perfect destination for both experienced and first time safari-goers for several reasons: Highly Relaxed Leopard South Luangwa is world-renowned for 1. exceptional leopard viewing. Since the 1930s, when the area became a game reserve, leopards have constantly been exposed to people, both in vehicles and on foot, allowing them to become habituated to a human presence. As a result, it is possible to get brilliant photographs of and insights into a day in the life of a leopard.

2. Walking Safaris South Luangwa is often referred to as the ‘birth place of walking safaris’. In the 1950s, Norman Carr opened South Luangwa’s first safari camp with the intention of drawing visitors to walk and photograph in the bush, instead of hunt. Over sixty years later, South Luangwa is considered one of the best places to do walking safari in Africa.

3. Wide Range of Lodges There are a wide range of lodges available in terms of price, location, and services provided. Prices range from around $40 pp/night for a self-catered lodge outside the park to $900 pp/night for an all-inclusive luxury lodge inside the park. For a real wilderness experience, bush lodges are available in the more remote parts of the park.

4. Knowledgeable Guides Unlike in many parks in South Africa where guides come from cities or other countries, 5. in South Luangwa most of the guides were born and grew up right on the outskirts of the unfenced national park. They know the area and the animals like the back of their hands, and can tell you endless stories about growing up in the bush. Zambia also has one of the most rigorous guiding examinations in Africa, ensuring all guides are highly-qualified. Get Involved in the Community. Of the many non-profits based in Mfuwe (the main town outside the park), Project Luangwa is not to be missed. Created to help promote education and training opportunities in the local community, it has been largely successful in expanding the local primary and secondary school. You can visit the centre in town to learn more about what it does in the community, as well as how you can get involved.

6. Stunning, Diverse Landscape The variety of habitats is one of the most remarkable things about South Luangwa. One minute you will be in the midst of a dense ebony tree forest and the next you find yourself on a bone-dry flood plain overlooking the Luangwa River.

Birder’s Paradise At the beginning of the dry season, thousands of 7. brightly coloured southern carmine bee-eaters migrate to the banks of the Luangwa River to nest. Just before the rains come, migrants from Northern Africa and Europe arrive to take advantage of the favourable conditions that follow the rains. Special sightings include: Lillian’s lovebird, Pel’s fishing owl, and the western banded snake eagle. 8. 9. 10.

Mfuwe-based companies like Mulberry Mongoose and Tribal Textiles offer a wide variety of stunning products to take home for friends and family. Mulberry Mongoose uses snare wires that Anti-Poaching Units (APU) collect in the park to make jewelry. They have donated over $60,000 from proceeds to APU so far. Tribal Textiles supports several local charities and employs over 100 local men and women. There are several species endemic to South Luangwa; including Cookson’s wildebeest, Thornicroft’s giraffe, and Crawshay’s zebra. South Luangwa is also home to several endangered species like wild dog as well as many sought-after safari ‘regulars’, including lion, elephant, hippo and buffalo.

You Can Self-Drive In South Luangwa, tourists may drive themselves into and around the park. This means you can explore the less-explored corners of the park without another vehicle in sight.

Originally from downtown Boston, Hadley Pierce spent her childhood traveling all over the world. She fell in love with the bush at a young age and at 21 decided to move to Africa for good. For the last year and a half, she has been guiding in Southern Africa, taking photographs and writing along the way.