By air
Mfuwe (MFU), ~45 minutes from the park gate
Africa · Zambia
South Luangwa, Zambia
The home of the walking safari
Getting there
Best time to visit
June to October for dry-season game viewing; the green season brings birds and few visitors
Don't miss
South Luangwa National Park
The Luangwa River
Mfuwe
Nsefu sector
Kawaza Village
Things to do
Walking safaris
Morning and night game drives
Birdwatching along the river
A visit to a village near Mfuwe
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Geoff Gallice · CC BY 2.0
What to pack
Neutral-coloured clothing, a hat, binoculars, insect repellent, a warm layer for early drives
A quieter corner
The carmine bee-eater colonies that nest in the Luangwa's riverbanks in the late dry season
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit South Luangwa?
June to October for dry-season game viewing; the green season brings birds and few visitors. What to pack: Neutral-coloured clothing, a hat, binoculars, insect repellent, a warm layer for early drives.
How do I get to South Luangwa?
Fly into Mfuwe (MFU), ~45 minutes from the park gate.
What is there to do in South Luangwa?
Walking safaris, morning and night game drives, birdwatching along the river, a visit to a village near Mfuwe. A quieter find: The carmine bee-eater colonies that nest in the Luangwa's riverbanks in the late dry season.
What should I eat in South Luangwa?
Lodge meals, nshima and relish, grilled meats by the campfire, fresh bread from the lodge ovens.
About South Luangwa
- Riverside
Where it is
South Luangwa is a national park in the Eastern Province of Zambia, along the Luangwa River valley, reached through the village of Mfuwe.
History
The Luangwa valley was a hunting ground of the Kunda and other peoples long before it became a game reserve in the colonial era and a national park in the twentieth century. The conservationist Norman Carr pioneered walking safaris here, and the park's lodges still follow his approach of exploring on foot with an armed scout.
People
The Kunda people live in villages around Mfuwe and many work as guides, scouts and lodge staff; community projects link the park's income with local schools and clinics.
Known for
- Walking safaris
- Leopards along the river
- Thornicroft's giraffe
- Night drives
Did you know?
The park is home to Thornicroft's giraffe, a subspecies found only in the Luangwa valley.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.