South Luangwa National Park is one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, known for its rich biodiversity and exceptional game viewing, especially a high concentration of leopard. Located in eastern Zambia, it’s home to large populations of elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, and hippos, with the Luangwa River running through its heart. The park is famous for walking safaris (this is one of the activities we highly recommend doing whilst here), offering a unique and intimate way to experience the African bush. Remote, raw, and incredibly scenic, South Luangwa delivers authentic safari experiences in one of the most unspoiled natural settings on the continent.

Especially beautiful are the varied landscapes along the river floodplains, with impressive riverine forests and Mahogony groves. Massive hippo pods gather at river bends, and a few special species are to be seen here, including the Thornicraft Giraffe and Puku.

North Luangwa National Park is South Luangwa’s wild and remote northern counterpart - truly the epitome of rugged wilderness. Linked via Luambe National Park and surrounding game management areas, this park offers an off-the-beaten-track adventure for those seeking solitude and raw nature.

With just a handful of lodges and some of Zambia’s most remote bush camps along the Amatololo Trail, North Luangwa is not for the faint-hearted. Though wildlife sightings can be limited due to past poaching, the park makes up for it with stunning landscapes, rich vegetation, and a deep sense of untouched wilderness. For seasoned explorers and wilderness lovers, it’s a quiet gem well worth adding to the bucket list.