Liuwa Plains

Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia has one of the oldest conservation histories in Africa, dating back to the 19th century when the King of Barotseland; Lubosi Lewanika, appointed his people the custodians of the landscape.

General information

Liuwa Plain National Park, located in the Western Province of Zambia is an incredible place to explore. The park covers 3660 square kilometres. The area was originally a hunting ground for Lubosi Lewanika, king of the local Lozi people, until it became a National Park in 1972. Liuwa means “plain” in the Lozi language. The surrounding area is a floodplain, which means that it’s susceptible to flooding. The park lies in the Upper Zambezi Flood Plains of Western Zambia; this makes for some very interesting wildlife and natural habitats.

• Two rivers, the Luambimba and Luanginga bound the park respectively to east and west. A diverse ecosystem thrives within this space where wild animals live scattered across open fields.
• Wide, open grasslands define this isolated park, stretching to the horizon across some 3,660km², the view broken only by the occasional tree-island.
• As the rainS build towards the end of each year, shoots of new grass attract herbivores in their thousands, making Liuwa home to one of the largest annual gatherings of wildebeest in Africa. They are accompanied by big herds of plains zebra and smaller groups of red lechwe. Lions and cheetahs follow the migration. But the dominant carnivore here is the spotted hyena, which live in clans of up to 50 individuals, and is often seen socializing and – most excitingly – hunting.
• Here and there, dips in the ground create shallow pans where water may linger long after the rains, providing sustenance for animals that gradually dissipate as the land dries out.
• Around the pans, water birds jostle for position with terrestrial wildlife. Storks, stilts, wattled and crowned cranes dominate the scene, their scavenging cousins never far away in anticipation of a tasty meal. With the number of species identified in the park nearing 335, Liuwa is a birder’s mecca.
• No matter what your interest, exploration is dictated by the seasons: 4WD in the drier months, canoe and on foot as the plains are flooded. Perhaps it’s that very seasonality that – now more than ever – defines the timeless appeal of Liuwa.
• Liuwa Plain National Park is one of a kind. Sandy tracks run through flat grassy floodplains, creating endless vistas in every direction. Small depressions fill up with the first rains of the season to set in motion Africa’s second-biggest wildebeest migration. Up to 35,000 wildebeest, accompanied by thousands of plains zebras, gather here – a spectacle to be witnessed by just a few lucky visitors.
• Bird lovers are also well served in Liuwa Plain National Park. Here you will find, among others, the blacksmith plovers, secretary bird, grey heron, storks, hottentot teal plus both wattled and crowned cranes. In the wet season, from November to April, many birds migrate to the plains. The park is also famous for its many black-winged pratincole. In the water you will find the slaty egret and the whiskered tern. For them, the Liuwa Plain is the only suitable breeding ground. So, it’s an amazing opportunity to see these species in real life!

Weather & Climate

Liuwa Plain has a hot, tropical climate. There isn’t much change in daily temperatures, but the mercury notably rises in the buildup to the Wet season (November to April), making things uncomfortably hot on the ground. The Dry season is overall more pleasant, although nights can get cold from June to August.

Best Time to Visit

Unlike most other parks, the Dry season (May to October) is not the best time to travel to Liuwa Plain. Wildlife viewing is very seasonal, and the big herds arrive after the first rain (usually November). This gives a small window for drive-in visitors as the roads might become impassable from December onwards. Fly-in visitors stay at Time + Tide King Lewanika, which is open from mid-October to mid-July.

Pros & Cons

• Home to a migration of wildebeest, zebras and other grazers
• Good park management under African Parks
• Remote, little-visited park
• The park has only one luxury camp, but it is excellent
• Game drives, walking and canoe safaris offered

• Limited variety in wildlife
• Very seasonal park
• Strong 4×4 with high clearance needed for sandy tracks
• Accommodation options are limited

Best Time to Go – November (Animals gather on the plain)

High Season – Never (The park is rarely visited)

Size – 3,660km² / 1,413mi²

Altitude – 1,022-1,056m / 3,353-3,465ft