Luangwa - Valley of Abundance

Luangwa - Valley of abundance
By Peter Comley
Image credits: Dana Allen for Robin Pope Safaris

Rated by those ‘in the know’ as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, South Luangwa National Park is host to perhaps the most varied concentration of wildlife to be found in Africa. This agglomeration is at its peak in the dry season along the Luangwa River and its ox-bow lagoons.

A Thornicroft giraffe cooling off with a drink.

The flood plains of the Luangwa have been recognised as being of international importance and have achieved Ramsar Site status. Considered the most intact major river system in Africa, the Luangwa River is the life-blood of the 9,050km2 of the Park. For the most part the river forms the eastern boundary of the protected area. When it floods it flows with the deep red colour of the rich soil upstream.

Some impalas who clearly should be in the high jump event at the next Olympic Games.

South Luangwa was declared a game reserve as far back as 1938 but was only awarded national park status as recently as 1972, which makes it one of the original protected areas in Zambia but a fairly recent national park.

Guests observing a group of yellow-billed storks on a walking safari.

Walking safaris, now widely practised throughout Africa, originated in this park under the pioneering leadership of legends like Norman Carr, Robin Pope and Phil Berry and have been taken to a level not readily found elsewhere. Being on foot in the wild is one of the finest ways to experience pristine wilderness and its varied inhabitants.

Elephants crossing the Luangwa River.

There are more than 60 mammal species (sadly excluding rhino, which were poached to local extinction in 1987 despite Norman Carr’s best efforts to save them) and over 400 bird species to keep you company on your walk. The Luangwa Valley has a number of animals not found elsewhere including Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra which are endemic, or very nearly so, to the valley.

Read the full article from the latest issue online:
Valley of abundance (ZT, Issue 13, June 2013)

Read more about the region in our destination guide:
Luangwa Destination Profile

Zambezi Traveller Directory:
Robin Pope Safaris