Located in the Luangwa Valley, part of the Great Rift Valley System, the 9050km2 park is bounded by the Muchinga Escarpment in the west and the meandering Luangwa river to the east. The river is the lifeblood of the park, the extensive system of oxbow lagoons, wide grazing lawns and associated riverine vegetation attracting a diverse array of wildlife, which at times creates the feeling of being in the middle of the Garden of Eden.

There are over 400 species of birds and 60 species of animals, including endemic populations of Thorneycroft's giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest, which are unique to the area.

The classic African walking safari was pioneered in the Luangwa by Norman Carr, Zambia’s most respected conservationist and is still one of the ultimate ways to experience this pristine wilderness. Dr. Livingstone traversed the area in the late 1800s and like many after him, was spellbound by the beauty of this corner of paradise.

Mammals:
Common animals include elephant, buffalo and hippo, with healthy numbers of lion. The leopard population is one of the highest densities in Southern Africa, providing for rewarding sightings during night drives of this beautiful cat. Sightings of wild dog have been increasing over the past few years and seem to be particularly good during the rainy season in the Mfuwe area, although certainly not guaranteed due to the highly mobile nature of the species.

There are estimated to be at least 50 hippos per kilometre of the Luangwa River! So, for hippo fans, you wont be disappointed. The park has 14 different antelope species, including bushbuck, kudu, eland, waterbuck, impala and puku. Much less common and more likely to be found in the remote regions of the park are duiker, reedbuck, roan, sable, hartebeest, grysbok, klipspringer and oribi.

Birds:
The Luangwa Valley is renowned for its birding with about 400 of Zambia’s 732 species occurring in the area, including 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species. The Luangwa is an Important Bird Area and is thus a crucial site of international importance for the conservation and biodiversity of birds.

Towards the end of September the carmine bee-eaters arrive and begin constructing their nests in the river banks forming a mesmerizing display of crimson. When the oxbow lagoons recede, hundreds of birds of different species form fishing parties in the shallow waters. Great flocks of pelicans and yellow billed storks can be seen thermalling high up in the skies, the storks dropping in on the drying waterholes like parachutists, cartwheeling and spinning almost out of control.

In November, palaearctic migrants arrive from Northern Europe in addition to the intra-African migrants. These include cuckoos, white storks, European swallows, swifts and bee-eaters, as well as birds of prey such as the Steppe eagles and Steppe buzzards that come all the way from Russia.

April/May: Potential rain storms around. Warm/hot. The bush is very green, grass long. Birding is excellent with migrants still around. Game viewing is good but only the all weather roads in the Mfuwe area are open. Remote roads are still closed. Some lodges have boats which allow for beautiful trips on the river which is still quite high. Fantastic light for photography.

June/July:
The start of the peak season – the bushcamps within the park are open and walking safaris are possible. This is “mid winter” and can be very cold on early morning and evening game drives in the open vehicles. During the day the temperatures are cool/warm. The bush is drying out. Most days are clear with fabulous colours. All areas of the park are open. Game viewing is good/excellent. Walking safaris may be a little restricted as the grass is still a bit high.

August:
Cool to hot with the bush now dry. Lagoons are shrinking and game viewing excellent.

September:
Hot, dry and hazy. Trees flower and lose their leaves. There may be fires in the area attracting yellow billed kites (migrants) and other birds. Game viewing is now excellent. Buffalo form large herds and come to the river daily to drink, with lion not far behind. Everything is waiting for the onset of the rains.

October:
Very dry with excellent game viewing, animals concentrating around the last remaining water. The river is now very shallow. Storm clouds start building up and there may be occasional rain which cools the temperatures down and clears the air. Can be very hot (up to 40 degrees in the shade). New growth starts in the mopane woodland and elsewhere – newborn warthog finally emerge from their burrows and may also be seen.

November:
Hot and slightly humid. Daily afternoon storms start to become the norm. These can be very dramatic with wind, dark clouds and sheet lightning – very beautiful and exciting. The bush is now green and fresh. Time of birth (especially the impala). Excellent bird watching. The bushcamps are now all closed and access to the more remote roads is reduced as the rains increase.

December – March:
Lush, green and very beautiful. The river rises daily. This is a quiet, relaxed time. Only some of the lodges remain open, road access is restricted, tourist numbers are much reduced. Thunderstorms are a daily event. Birding is Excellent.