8 Days - Bush & Beach

South Luangwa National Park

Explore remote, pristine wilderness

Welcome to South Luangwa National Park, one of the great remaining unspoiled regions of Africa. The Luangwa River is the most intact river in Africa, and its tributaries and lagoons are the lifeblood of this region. And the changing seasons, from the ‘dry’ season in the winter to the ‘emerald’ season of the summer months, make this a vibrant and charismatic part of the world that you don’t want to miss. Famous for its large populations of leopards, the large packs of wildogs as well as the other predators like the lions, hyenas and servals. The Valley also has a large variety of plains game from the endemic Thornicroft giraffe, Crawshay’s Zebra, Cookson’s Wildebeest to the herds of elephants, buffalo, pods of hippos, crocodiles, warthogs and plenty of antelope. The park has a wonderful variety of bird life and is famous for the migration of the Carmine Bee-eaters in August to December as well as the numerous residents such as the Pel’s Fishing Owl, Ground hornbill or the African Skimmer as well as all the colourful songbirds and keen eyed raptors.

Wildlife in South Luangwa National Park

At this point you may be wondering what it is that draws so many wildlife enthusiasts and safari connoisseurs to this particular area, often returning to the same camps many times over. Accompanying the reputation for a very high quality of guiding in this area, South Luangwa’s concentration of animals is some of the most dense in all of Africa. The park offers a multitude of game that will satisfy any safari bucket list: from predators like the famed African wild dogs, majestic lions, and beautiful leopards to big game favorites like elephants, buffalo, and hippo, this park has them all. South Luangwa also offers unique animal sightings, such as Zambia’s beloved Crawshay’s zebra herds (whose stripes are more distinct than those found further south and west); 14 different species of antelope, including the elusive bushbuck, eland and Heartebeest; and the attractive kudu, with its spiral horns and delicate face. Did we mention there are also 400 species of birds in the park, including 39 birds of prey? You’ll want to pack your binoculars and a camera so you can capture your sightings of these amazing creatures. And because this park offers day and evening game drives, which is unique in the world of safari, a whole other nocturnal realm is opened up for your viewing excitement.

What makes South Luangwa National Park a great destination for a safari is the unparalleled variety of wildlife who visit and gather around the meandering river and its many oxbow lagoons. The park covers a vast area of 9,059 square kilometers, with much of the game concentrated along the valley floor. As soon as you enter the park, you might face ten or more giant hippos wallowing in the river below the bridge; they seem to enjoy peeking curiously above the water’s surface. Expect some terrific photo-opportunities as enormous herds of elephants, some up to seventy strong, gather at the Luangwa River’s edge to quench their thirst and splash around. In fact, don’t be surprised if a handful of elephants wander in and out of your camp, as they have a habit of making themselves welcome as they cross the river to raid the nearby fruit trees. Also, impala and puku - the impala’s fluffier and cousin with a rich orange coat, are found throughout the park, not to mention prolific birdlife. The species that really draws in the crowds is the leopard, whilst we will never know how many leopard are in the park, it is here and Sabi Sands that hold the record for the most frequent sightings. The high populations of predators here makes spotting them fairly easy and the draw of the river means you will be right among the action when they do indeed go in search of their prey. Whether you want to watch the birds as they swoop to catch insects or dive for fish, the herbivores come to eat the lush vegetation or the carnivores hunting their prey the river is the confluence for majority of the action here in the valley.

Nankoma Island in Malawi

Nankoma Island is part of the Marelli Archipelago in southern Lake Malawi, where the waters are particularly rich in brightly coloured tropical fish known as cichlids. Swimming and snorkeling with them is an amazing experience, as they flash by in iridescent shades. Incredible birdlife is also evident on the island, with species such as hornbills, kingfishers, paradise flycatchers and owls, as well as cormorants and fish eagles inhabiting the lake shore. Active travellers will enjoy the chance to kayaking around the island, take a boat trip to neighbouring islands or relax on a sundowner cruise.