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NORTH
LUANGWA
NATIONAL
PARK
This remote tract of land covering 4636 square kilometres offers
one of the finest wilderness experiences in Zambia, if not Africa
itself. It is not open to the public and there are no permanent
lodges there. Access is with one of the few safari operators granted
permission to conduct walking safaris there.
The beauty of visiting this park is the truly remarkable opportunities
to experience Africa as it was. It is wild and untouched and you
are simply an unobtrusive witness to its natural beauty and drama.
Rainbow Safaris Ltd is a tour operator in Livingstone Zambia offers
Walking Safaris with Lion, Cheetah, Elephant, and Rhino. Our Walking
Safaris includes tough-to-see predators such as Lion, Cheetah and
Rhino.
Although declared a wilderness area, the North Park, was not open
to anyone other than Game Department rangers for more than thirty
years. In 1984, Major John Harvey and his wife Lorna sought permission
to conduct walking safaris in the area and for many years were the
only operators in this remote wilderness.
Then in 1989, Two scientists, Mark and Delia Owens, famed for their
book ‘Cry of the Kalahari’, were granted permission to set up a
research station in the park. Through their influence and as a means
of helping to curb poaching in the area, the authorities allowed
entry to the park to a few more safari operators who bring limited
numbers into the park for guided walking safaris and game drives.
Their efforts in the North Luangwa are documented in their book
‘Survivors Song / The Eye of the Elephant’.
There are very few roads and you’re unlikely to see anyone else
for the duration of your trip. Like the South Park, it lies on the
western bank of the Luangwa River bordered on the other side by
the dramatic Muchinga escarpment which rises over 1000 meters from
the valley floor. Its hazy outline can clearly be seen from the
Luangwa river.
There are a number of tributary rivers running through the park
and into the Luangwa which play an important ecological role in
the Area. The crystal clear Mwaleshi River trickles down the escarpment
in a series of small waterfalls. It recedes in the dry season, leaving
many pools along the way, drawing the animals from the bush to its
banks in search of water. No game drives are permitted in the Mwaleshi
area, access is by organised walking safaris only.
Vegetation ranges from mopane woodland to riverine forest, open
grasslands and acacia thicket, the beautiful sausage trees, vegetable
ivory palms, red mahogany and leadwood.
What to See
The park is noted for its massive herds of buffalo, a spectacular
sight if they’re seen on the run, kicking up dust for miles behind
them. Large prides of lion inhabit the territory and it is not uncommon
to witness a kill. Other common mammals are hyaena, Cookson’s wildebeest,
bushbuck, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, puku and impala.
Elephant and leopard are also seen, but not as frequently as in
the South Park. You are more likely to see hartebeest, reedbuck
and eland here, however. All the birds in the South have been recorded
here as well. Sighted regularly are the crowned cranes, purple crested
loeries, broad billed roller, Lilian’s lovebird, the carmine bee-eater,
giant eagle owl and Pel’s fishing owl. Occasionally seen are the
bathawk, black coucal and osprey.
Getting There
Although this park was officially opened to the public in 1984,
the infrastructure in and to the park is not sufficiently developed
to cater for the independent traveller. Special permission to enter
it must be obtained from the Dept of National Parks and Wildlife
Services in Chilanga or Mpika. This is not advisable due to its
remoteness should anything go wrong with your vehicle. The best
way to experience this park is with one of the operators running
safaris here. One can fly in to either Mfuwe International Airport,
about four hours away and be picked up, or be brought in from the
Mpika side of the escarpment. There are two airstrips that are open
for charter traffic. See Package Tours in the index for pre-arranged
trips in Zambia including North Luangwa.
Where to stay
There are no lodges open to the public in the North Park but several
operators run prebooked, organised safaris there.
Shiwa Safaris have two bush camps and their safaris begin at the
Shiwa Ngandu estate over the western side of the escarpment.
Zambia's smallest owner-operated camp, Kutandala Camp catering for
only six guests on each safari. All the rooms have an unrestricted
view of the Mwaleshi River and its flood plain throughout the day.
Mwaleshi Camp situated on a scenic bend of the Mwaleshi River, a
beautiful river within the North Luangwa National Park. It comprises
of 3 attractive reed chalets, each with stunning views over the
river. Game viewing is on foot, in a remote area renowned for its
lion, huge herds of buffalo and endemic Cookson’s wildebeest.
See Package Tours in the index for pre-arranged trips in Zambia
including North Luangwa
When to go
Operators in this region conduct safaris in the dry season from
June to October when animal sightings are at their peak. Access
in the wet season is virtually impossible.
Special features of the North Luangwa National Park:
 Cookson’s
wildebeest
Bushbuck
Zebra
Warthog
Baboon and Vervet Monkey
Giant Eagle and Owl
Carmine Bee-eater |
| Cookson’s
wildebeests |
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| Carmine
Bee-eaters |
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| Zebras |
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| Baboon |
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| Warthog |
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Rainbow
Safaris Ltd is a tour operator in Livingstone, Zambia offering affordable
travel and tours
packages for: |
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