South Luangwa National Park

Situated near the southern extent of Africa's Great Rift Valley, the 9.050 km² South Luangwa National Park lies between low escarpments that form the productive Luangwa Valley.

The Park is sustained by the Luangwa River, an impressive watercourse supporting high densities of game along its banks. During the dry season when wildlife emerges from the surroundings to drink from the remaining water in the lagoons and oxbow lakes, game viewing is at its best: dense hippo concentrations forced into the receding pools, and interspecies interaction playing out at the water's edge.

Luangwa means 'fishing basket', a reference to the productive nature of the river and the traditional harvesting of fish which still takes place outside the park boundaries. Within the park fish trapped in drying pools attract hundreds of fish-eating birds, with storks, herons, egrets and fish eagles dominating the proceedings. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in the park including local specials such as Lillian's lovebird, Racket-tailed Roller and Broad-tailed Paradise-whydah.

Explore South Luangwa National Park in one of the exclusive accommodations.