(Zambia)

Just across the border, in neighbouring Zambia, is one of Africa’s greatest game reserves. The Luangwa river threads its way across the floor of a section of the Great Rift valley with the National Park occupying 3,500 sq miles (9050 sq km).
The park is easily reached from Lilongwe with Mfuwe, at the park entrance, just 45minutes away by air or about half a day’s drive. Once inside the park, the opportunities for game viewing are unsurpassed. The Luangwa river is especially attractive to game in the dry season and most of the lodges are in the riverine stretches.

The park is particularly popular for walking safaris but drives are available throughout the vast area and, unlike many of Africa’s famous reserves, it’s still uncrowded with vehicles. The large number of species and high stock levels make this an ideal reserve to see great herds of buffalo and varieties of antelope, hippos and crocodiles, zebra and giraffes. Some of the subspecies, like the Thornicroft giraffe, are peculiar to South Luangwa. The chances of seeing leopards (at night) are probably better here than anywhere else in Africa. By day, lions are commonly seen.

Accommodation varies from the luxurious to the simple, with bushcamps being especially attractive. Many Malawi tour operators offer trips into South Luangwa National Park combining a visit with tours of north or south Malawi. The best time to visit is between April and December with the latter months in this period being ideal.