North Luangwa National Park

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Lizzie Williams –

Visited: September

Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

1 person found this review helpful.

A vast tract of undisturbed bush in the valley of the mighty Luangwa River.

Overall rating

3/5

Wildlife:

Bush Vibe:

Scenery:

Birding:

The sister park to South Luangwa is very rarely visited as access isn’t easy and there are very few seasonal camps. I was lucky enough to experience North Luangwa on an adventurous self-drive safari and loved the solitude, varied landscapes and the sense that I had this vast piece of Zambian bush practically all to myself. The Luangwa River is the highlight; it gushes violently across the broad flood plains after the rains, is a mere placid trickle over pebbles and sandy furrows in the dry, and is always a beacon for animals. I count myself privileged to have seen a large pack of wild dogs here splashing in the shallows, numerous hippos and crocs while fording it in my four-wheel drive vehicle, and a couple of black rhino partially camouflaged in the acacia thickets on the steep riverbanks. For the latter, the North Luangwa Conservation Program (NLCP) is doing a sterling job protecting sizeable numbers in the park. North Luangwa is a great destination for a private well-guided safari, and is particularly good for walking. But more of an effort is needed to see game here than in popular South Luangwa, and the low-impact mobile camps maybe a little rustic and challenging for some. The reward however is enjoying exclusive wildlife-watching and the opportunity to appreciate one of this region’s last untamed wildernesses.

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