Get ready for a wild adventure in the dazzling South Luangwa National Park, a top-tier gem among Africa's wildlife havens and one of our absolute faves! This sprawling paradise is just waiting for you at the end of Zambia's grand Great Rift, hugging the Luangwa River. Bursting with natural beauty and a diverse cast of critters, it's no wonder South Luangwa is the go-to spot for adrenaline-pumping game drives and luxury safaris that are out of this world.
Are you ready for some fabulous safari experiences? Image Credit: Time + Tide Chinzombo
Wildlife
Buzzing with life and kept lush by the pristine Luangwa River, South Luangwa National Park's vast savannahs are the playground for over 60 wildlife species.
This national park is a celeb hotspot for animal enthusiasts, boasting sightings of the unique Thornicroft's giraffe, Crawshay's zebra, and the VIP Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard).
Your mud baths will be a bit different but just as fun, Image Credit: Tafika Camp
For top-tier Big 5 spotting, make a beeline for the valley's oxbow pools. Luangwa shines brightest in the dry season, but when the rains roll in, the Luangwa River floods and leaves behind tempting watering holes and lush greenery.
As things dry up, wildlife flocks to these juicy water spots, guaranteeing an epic game-viewing experience. It's the ultimate bar, and the animals will put up a show to put your favourite reality TV to shame!
Lions have a no-fluffs-given attitude, and we love them for it! Image Credit: Tafika Camp
Walking Safaris
Ditch the 4x4 and strap on your hiking boots for a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park – the birthplace of this thrilling adventure! Get ready to bump into Thornicroft's giraffe, Crawshay's zebra, mighty lions, antelopes, buffalos, and elephants. It's your chance to experience nature up-close and personal, just as it was meant to be.
Your hiking boots are made for walking so that's just what they'll do, Image Credit: Puku Ridge
With its off-the-beaten-path vibe and a strict cap on visitors, South Luangwa promises an unbeatable walking safari adventure. This park reigns supreme as Africa's top spot for those eager to trek through big-game territory on foot and dive head-first into nature's wonders.
Splish, splash! Image Credit: Mwamba Bush Camp
Game Drives
We absolutely love the up-close thrill of a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park, but you also can't go on a safari without your early morning and late afternoon game drives. Bonus: some places even offer night safaris where you head out after darkness has settled over the landscapes. Also, with South Luangwa having so much vast wilderness to explore, game drives let you cover more ground effortlessly.
They may be considered a member of the Ugly 5, but we think hyenas are just fabulous, Image Credit: Time + Tide Chinzombo
Trust us, spotting wildlife from an open 4x4 is a comfy adventure. Those high seats give you killer panoramic views, perfect for snapping Instagram-worthy content! Plus, with seasoned guides at the wheel, you’ll venture into wildlife hotspots teeming with hidden gems you’d miss on foot.
Always keep your eyes peeled on a game drive. You never know what you might find among the branches, Image Credit: Tafika Camp
Birding
Hold onto your binoculars, bird lovers! Walking safaris and game drives are just the beginning. South Luangwa is a bird-watcher's paradise with over 400 species waiting to be spotted. Once a twitcher, always a twitcher and this wilderness will promise plenty of "ooh", "aah", and "did you see that?" moments.
As the dry season winds down, the Luangwa River becomes a bustling avian hotspot. Picture yellow-billed storks, majestic pelicans, eye-catching saddle-billed storks, graceful crowned cranes, and the stately goliath heron. And that's just the tip of the species list iceberg...
Did you know that certain eagle species form monogamous pairs? Image Credit: Tena Tena
Migratory stars like the red-chested cuckoo, steppe eagle, and steppe buzzard swoop in before the rains, and you'll see hundreds of colourful carmine bee-eaters (reminiscent of perfectly blended eyeshadow!) nesting in the riverbanks. So, it's a birding bonanza you won't want to miss!
Bee-eaters are the bush's little pops of colour, Image Credit: Tafika Camp
Romance
Looking to spice up your love life with a wild twist? South Luangwa's secluded and intimate vibe makes it the perfect spot for an unforgettable, no-judgement romantic escape. With its untouched wilderness, where majestic rivers snake through rugged terrain and wildlife roams freely, you'll find it impossible not to fall in love all over again.
It's time to get a little wet, Image Credit: Zungulila Bushcamp
Stay in luxurious lodges along the serene Luangwa River and treat yourselves to ultimate pampering and relaxation. Enjoy couples' spa treatments, private bush breakfasts, and lantern-lit dinners, and watch the fiery sunset casting golden hues over the river. It's a dreamy setting for a love story straight out of a fairy tale.
Things are about to get a little steamy… Image Credit: Time + Tide Chinzombo
Where Fantasies Meet Fauna
South Luangwa National Park is calling your name with its irresistible charm and captivating wildlife. Africa's bursting with wonders, and we're just waiting for you to uncover them (with a little nudge from us, naturally!).
So, why delay? There's never been a better time to reach out to book your safari with our Travel Experts. Let's craft an LGBTQ-friendly wildlife adventure you'll remember for ages!
