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South Luangwa

Luxury South Luangwa National Park Tours made for you

Home of the walking safari and the highest game concentration in Zambia

A game-rich sanctuary to heighten your senses

Way back in 1950, a young game ranger called Norman Carr initiated a far-reaching and visionary conservation concept which was to pave the way for modern conservation and tourism. He encouraged Senior Chief Nsefu – the paramount Chief of the Kunda people in the Luangwa Valley – to set aside a portion of his tribal land as a Game Reserve, where he built the first game-viewing camp open to the public in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia).

The original ‘Walking Safaris’ started here in this remarkably game-rich sanctuary, and they are truly the most exhilarating experiences you could experience while out in Africa. All your senses are heightened and it’s a wonderful opportunity to pick out the smaller details of the park. Rather than scanning the horizon, your eyes are drawn to what’s right in front of you, from paw prints and animal dung tiny insects and the vegetation that provides shade, shelter and sustenance to the park’s inhabitants.

The Luangwa River sustains a whole host of wildlife, birds and vegetation. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species. Throughout the park’s 9,050 square kilometres, lions, leopards, African wild dogs, hippos and elephants roam, as well as more unusual species such as Crawshay’s zebra.

  • Close-up of two lions resting closely together with their heads side-by-side in a sunlit outdoor environment.
  • Silhouette of a baboon standing on a grassy ridge at sunset with golden light outlining its fur.
  • Group of bright red and turquoise birds perched on a sandy, light-colored slope overlooking a body of water.
  • Front view of a warthog standing in a field with two small birds on the ground in the lower left corner.
  • Close-up of a young impala with short horns looking toward the right, with several other impalas blurred in the background.
  • Close-up of an adult monkey holding a baby monkey that is looking forward in a sunlit outdoor area.
  • Two hippos swimming in a pond completely covered in a layer of thick green aquatic plants.
  • An impala jumping through the air above tall brown grass in a sunlit forest.
  • Wide landscape view of a calm river between tree-lined banks under a bright sky with many small white clouds.
  • An adult elephant and a smaller elephant walking through dry grass in a forest at sunset.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our South Luangwa specialists

Sleep under the stars

Sleep in a dry river bed with just a bed roll and a mosquito net, not even a tent

Set off on a walking safari

Explore the park on foot, paying close attention to the smallest details that make this region so special

Spot birds along the river

Keep a look out for over 400 species of bird, on river banks and in the tree, checking a variety of rare creatures off your list

A word from one of our experts

With one of the largest concentrations of wildlife in southern Africa, and the option of walking safaris, South Luangwa National Park is the ideal destination for anyone really wanting to get up close to Africa's inhabitants, big and small.

Jody van Merode Senior Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in South Luangwa National Park

There are many incredible places to stay in South Luangwa National Park. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

  • Personalised design

    We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

  • Authentic experiences

    Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

  • Responsible travel

    Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip inspiration

Get inspired with our South Luangwa National Park example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

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Whatever you want from your South Luangwa National Park tour, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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When to visit

All year round. Dry season is April through to October (October can be very hot). This is also the best time to see the game as they are easier to find as they hunt good watering holes. The wet season is November through to April, when the rains are dramatic.

Best time for safari

April–October

Green season

December–March

Victoria Falls in full flow

April–October

The Best Time to Visit Zambia

Zambia travel guides

Plan your trip to South Luangwa National Park

Whatever you want from your adventure in South Luangwa National Park, our team of safari experts are ready to help.

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We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

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My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

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We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

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Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

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Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.

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