| In the low lands of the Luangwa Valley there
are three National Parks: South Luangwa, Luambe and North Luangwa.
South Luangwa National Park
It is the most famous and popular in the valley, it was made
into a NP in 1972. It has surface of 9050 square kilometres. It
is divided into two sections Mfuwe and Nsefu. It is not allowed
to camp within the NP but there are several lodges with a wide
price range for accommodation in the park. The entrance fee can
be paid at the gate. There are some camp sites along the banks
of the river outside the park with hot showers and bar and restaurant
facilities.
The easiest way to get there is by small plane ( regular flights
) to Mfuwe airport from Lusaka or Lilongwe. If you travel by road
from Lilongwe, first you must get to Chipata and then to Mfuwe
airport and following that road it will lead you to the park
There are some unique night game drives and walking safaris that
can be done in South Luangwa NP. I specially recommend the night
safari, it is and intense awesome experience and it is not difficult
to spot leopard or some of the less commonly seen nocturnal species
( genet, civet, etc ).
The population of elephants has recovered and now is not only
stable but healthy. It is quite a site to see them crossing the
river, sometimes in groups over fifty or nearing a hundred. Buffalos,
impalas, kudus, pukus, waterboks, zebras and bushbucks are a common
visitors along the banks of the Luangwa rivers. The park is also
rich in large predators such as wild dog, hiena, lion and leopard.
There are some endemic species, the Thornicroft giraffe and cookson´s
wildebeast.
It is a ornithological paradise for bird watchers, with over
400 species of birds. The be-eaters next on the river banks are
really a sight, also it is one of the best places in the world
to spot pearls fishing owl.
North Luangwa National Park
It has an approximate surface of 4700 square kilometres, it is
more secluded and remote, it has only recently been opened to
tourism. There only three very expensive and basic lodges in the
park, but the setting is beautiful. It is becoming famous for
its quantity of lions, this is due to the large herds of buffalo
in the park. There are not too many roads in the park and game
viewing is therefore limited, you have as in South Luangwa NP
the opportunity of doing night and walking safaris.
You can get to North Luangwa NP flying from Mfuwe or by road
crossing Luambe NP. The road is hard and you go across the river
several times but it is really quite pretty. It takes around 3
hours to Luambe and another 4 to North Luangwa.
Luambe National Park
It is situated between south and north Luangwa NP. It is on the
way to north Luangwa NP from south Luangwa and the visit is worth
it. The road is hard full of villages and mango trees requires
the use of a 4x4 vehicle. There is only a lodge with camping facilities
overlooking a very nice part of the river. The bar-restaurant
is nice and from there you can see many hippos and crocs. It is
really a beautiful spot, take the 10 minute guided walk to the
mujnametsi river at sunset.
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