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South Luangwa

The unspoiled jewels in Zambia’s crown

A region of profound natural beauty…

From grassy plains to spellbinding woodlands and the remarkable Luangwa River, South Luangwa is an area of profound beauty. The river itself, its tributaries and picturesque lagoons create an environment perfect for wildlife to thrive. This is one of the reasons the area is so well known for an abundance of different species– you’ll quickly get used to the rivers being alive with hippopotamus and nightly sightings of majestic leopards.

Of all the wildlife available to view, this park is particularly good for spotting predators. From the rare African wild dog to the beautiful lions, there’ll be no shortage of breath-taking and humbling scenes to witness. To add to this, the park also has large herds of elephants, buffalo, zebra and many other herbivores.

A keen birder? Then you’re in luck, as there are over 400 species of birds for you to spot, including 39 birds of prey – so be sure to keep an eye on the skies and trees.

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Seasonal Information

Find out the best times to visit South Luangwa.

  • Green season
  • Mid season
  • High season

January is one of the wettest months in South Luangwa National Park; the grassy plains transform into a thick forest and the park is alive with the sounds of wildlife. Predator sightings can be surprisingly abundant for the green season. Hyena and leopard are quite territorial and are often spotted roaming the roads as opposed to the wet and thick bush. In between rain showers, there can be prolonged stretches of sunshine where the weather can reach temperatures of 30°C.

Plan your Safari

February is one of the wettest months in South Luangwa National Park; the grassy plains transform into a thick forest and the park is alive with the sounds of wildlife. Predator sightings can be surprisingly abundant for the green season. Hyena and leopard are quite territorial and are often spotted roaming the roads as opposed to the wet and thick bush. In between rain showers, there can be prolonged stretches of sunshine where the weather can reach temperatures of 30°C.

Plan your Safari

March is one of the wettest months in South Luangwa National Park; the grassy plains transform into a thick forest and the park is alive with the sounds of wildlife. Predator sightings can be surprisingly abundant for the green season. Hyena and leopard are quite territorial and are often spotted roaming the roads as opposed to the wet and thick bush. In between rain showers, there can be prolonged stretches of sunshine where the weather can reach temperatures of 30°C.

Plan your Safari

April is a particularly great month in South Luangwa National Park, the rain eases and the luscious landscapes turn a rich shade of emerald. As the final rains move away from Zambia, the weather turns cool and dry. The bright blue skies and mesmerising African sunsets during this month make for excellent photographic opportunities.

Plan your Safari

Following the rains, South Luangwa is an emerald wonderland as we enter the dry season in May. After the rain ceases the lush grasses provide a beautiful backdrop for wildlife photography – particularly the mesmerising sunsets. This is a prime time to visit for outstanding wildlife encounters, Luangwa’s famous leopards can be found prowling around in the early morning, and lions are found hunting late into the day

Plan your Safari

As we transition into June, the thick vegetation begins to thin out, making wildlife easier to spot – especially the more elusive species. The days are filled with ample sunshine and animals such as buffalo and elephants begin to gather around the Luangwa River in search of a welcome cool down in the refreshing water.

Plan your Safari

July is a prime month to visit South Luangwa National Park; temperatures are mild and predator sightings abundant with safaris offering some incredible sightings. The Luangwa River becomes a hub of activity as the animals emerge from the dry plains in search of the refreshment in the river’s cooling water.

Plan your Safari

As we move into August the bush becomes more parched, with temperatures averaging around 33°C. As there is no rainfall during this time of year, it is the best time for watching the wildlife in South Luangwa National Park. The Luangwa River becomes a gathering place for animals, as wildlife emerges from the dry plains in search of a much-needed refreshment in the river’s cool water.

Plan your Safari

September is still the peak of the dry season and as there is no rainfall during this time, wildlife viewing is simply excellent. The Luangwa River becomes a hub of activity as the animals emerge from the high-temperature bush areas in search of the refreshment of the river’s cooling water. With large numbers of wildlife in close proximity, sightings will always be fantastic at this time of year.

Plan your Safari

October usually brings the first rainfall, much to the relief of the parched landscapes and wildlife. Temperatures continue to rise towards 40°C until the first showers of rain begin to cool things down to the delight of the animals in the area. With large numbers of wildlife in close proximity, sightings will always be fantastic at this time of year.

Plan your Safari

In November the rainfall picks up and we officially enter the green season. As the bush is particularly dry, the rains bring a welcoming relief to South Luangwa National Park. Afternoon showers and impressive thunderstorms light up the skies and temperatures average around 35°C. November is still beautiful and fruiting trees make for interesting wildlife sightings as they attract birds and animals.

Plan your Safari

December is one of the wettest months in South Luangwa National Park, with daily bursts of rain showers. The landscapes have well and truly been transformed into a lush green oasis and the birthing season begins.

Plan your Safari