South Luangwa National Park covers 9,050km² and was established in 1972. The Luangwa River is its lifeline — described as the most intact major river system in Africa — and the concentration of animals around the river and its ox-bow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa.

The park holds 60 animal species and over 400 bird species, roughly 400 of Zambia’s 732 recorded birds, including 39 raptors and 47 migratory species in summer. Rhino were poached to extinction here. The now famous walking safari originated in South Luangwa, and night drives allow visitors to see nocturnal animals after sunset. Game viewing is best through the dry months from April to October, when wildlife concentrates near water; from November to March the bush is green and migrant birds arrive, but animals are harder to spot.