North Luangwa National Park
North Luangwa National Park is Zambia's great secret—a vast, pristine wilderness that sees a fraction of the visitors that its more famous southern neighbor attracts.
South Luangwa is our preferred national park in Zambia for big game viewing, and one of the best parks for luxury walking safaris in Africa.
Although you might not see them daily, South Luangwa has an incredible density of leopard so you are almost certain to see a few of these elusive cats during your stay. Wild dog sightings can never be guaranteed but they are a highlight you can hope to encounter. The survival of the valley depends on the meandering oxbows of the Luangwa River, crowded with hippos, crocodiles, and wading waterfowl.
The best time to visit South Luangwa
The best time to visit South Luangwa is in the drier months between April and October and early-November (the hottest months). The wet season begins in mid-November as the leaves turn green, and the dry bleak terrain becomes lush. The rainy season lasts until the end of March when the migrant birds arrive in droves. Many properties in South Luangwa, especially the more remote walking-focused camps, are only open between April and November, and are in fact rebuilt from natural materials each year. Closer to the park gate at Mfuwe, there are several larger lodges that are open year-round. (Related reading: The Best Safari Lodges in Zambia.)
Best
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
April - November
Good
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
January - December
Other areas to explore
A visit to South Luangwa puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of Zambia.
Kafue National Park
Kafue is the largest national park in Zambia and second-largest in all of Africa. It is a pristine wilderness with a wide variety of game and an astonishing 495+ species of birds on record.
Lower Zambezi National Park
The Lower Zambezi National Park is one of Zambia’s most exceptional wildlife areas. Together with Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools Reserve on the opposite banks of the river, the area provides a massive trans-frontier wildlife sanctuary.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, the seventh wonder of the world, is located across the Falls from Livingstone, its sister town in Zambia. Activities abound and range from super active – bungee jumping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, to the more serene – river safaris, fishing and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River.
Why book with Extraordinary Journeys?
We go deep
We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.
We keep it honest
Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.
We’ve got it covered
Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.
We know it’s personal
There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.
We go deep
We value depth over breadth. While we have broadened our map, our intimate expertise runs deep—from understanding each locale's hidden rhythms to cultivating relationships with exceptional guides.
We keep it honest
Seasoned travelers know that places change, authentic experiences migrate. We'll listen to your hopes and passions, but push back when we know something will better resonate with you.
We’ve got it covered
Traveling to wild places asks something of us— a quality of attention and presence. From behind-the-scenes logistics to bespoke culinary experiences, our team has thought of everything.
We know it’s personal
There will undoubtedly be extraordinary unscripted moments: hippos emerging at sunset, the impossible blue of Arctic ice. We know that meaningful memories often live in personalized details.