North Luangwa

Untamed North Luangwa National Park is an incredible Big Five walking destination in the wildlife-rich Luangwa Valley. The habitat and wildlife is similar to the more popular and accessible South Luangwa National Park. The experience is different though; with only a few small bush camps in a huge area, you get a glimpse of Africa as it was hundreds of years ago.

Found in the oldest section of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, North Luangwa National Park is the most northern of the three national parks found in the Luangwa Valley. The Luangwa River has shaped this unique landscape over millennia that many regard as “The Real Africa.”

North Luangwa National Park is remote and inaccessible, with little infrastructure in the whole 4636km² reserve. There are only three operators being allowed by park authorities to have camps here. The is the area chosen to reintroduce the Black Rhino into Zambia with the help of the Frankfurt Zoological Society. This is perhaps suitable for the more experienced Safari Traveller and the scenery is very similar to South Luangwa – just wilder !

The park lies on the western side of the Luangwa river, upstream from the South Luangwa National Park. It is particularly noted for its huge herds of Buffalo. Other common animals include, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Wildcat, Wildebeest & Zebra. There are also a number of species which are unlikely to be seen in the South Park such as Oribi, Hartebeest, Reedbuck & Eland – the largest of the antelopes.

The ecosystem is home to a unique and diverse species community and is one of the last large undisturbed regions in central Africa. As the only in park Zambia boasting the Big 5, it offers one of the most spectacular settings for game viewing experiences in Zambia, if not the entire continent.

Pros & Cons

• All of the Big Five are present
• Home to Zambia’s only black rhino population
• Remote wilderness area, mostly set aside for walking
• Excellent add-on to a conventional safari in South Luangwa
• Very limited road circuit and accommodation options
• Lots of harmless but very annoying tsetse flies
• Animals are more skittish than in South Luangwa

Best Time to GoJuly to October (Animals are easier to find)

High SeasonJuly to October (The park is little visited)

Size4,636km² / 1,790mi²

Altitude569-1,296m / 1,867-4,252ft