North Luangwa National Park
North Luangwa National Park
Fresh tracks – buffalo, impala, lion – litter the rough paths, communicating the previous night’s activity to their human followers.
A bit of dung here; some disturbed grass there. For the experienced guides of the North Luangwa, this is the everyday language of the bush.
Animals of the North Park, as it is more generally known, inhabit a wilder world than that of the south. Roads are few, vehicles even fewer, and visitors barely register on the radar. For those that do venture this far, 4,636km2 of untamed land awaits exploration – largely on foot.
Descending from the hilly Muchinga Escarpment, and veined by tributaries of the Luangwa River that hug its eastern fringe, the park is inaccessible for more than half the year. Only in June, as the terrain starts to dry out, do the camps come into their own, their visitors arriving by light aircraft or – for those with an even greater taste for adventure – braving the bumpy six-hour trip overland.
Central to the park is the rhino sanctuary, whose denizens roam unseen within strictly guarded confines. Flowing around it is the beautiful Mwaleshi River, which dissects the park and is the focus of the few simple camps that exist up here.
These camps have an intimacy that is almost unequalled in the South Park. Yet beneath their simplicity lie comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms, good food, and an efficiency of operation that includes exceptionally well-qualified guides – essential in this challenging environment.
While walking is indeed at the heart of their activities, drives are now also possible – giving access to areas of the park hitherto almost unvisited. And where the river is shallow, it’s possible to cross it on foot – or even to cool off with a drink. After a hot day in search of the park’s natural secrets, what more could you ask?
Safaris visiting North Luangwa
Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you
Giraffe Safari
9 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
A safari to the remotest parts of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. Perfect for experienced safari goers and first-time Africa adventurers. Explore with expert guides whilst staying at small bushcamps.
US$8,390 - US$9,740 per person
Most recent reviews of our safaris to North Luangwa
Click below to browse all 73 reviews from North Luangwa National Park. All from our travellers; all are in full & unedited.
Arrived 17 Sep 2024, 12 nights
"My Sep 2024 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 17 Aug 2024, 17 nights
"My Aug 2024 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 21 Jul 2024, 15 nights
"Return to Zambia 2024"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 11 Jul 2024, 17 nights
"My Jul 2024 Luangwa trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 30 Jun 2024, 14 nights
"My Jun 2024 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 13 Jun 2024, 15 nights
"My Jun 2024 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 11 Oct 2023, 14 nights
"My Oct 2023 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 28 Sep 2023, 13 nights
"Back to Zambia"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 10 Oct 2023, 14 nights
"My Oct 2023 trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 2 Sep 2023, 13 nights
"My Sep 2023 Zambia trip"
Overall rating: Excellent
Where to stay in North Luangwa
Our suggestions for safari camps in North Luangwa National Park
Mwaleshi Camp
Mwaleshi is a particularly remote and rustic bushcamp in North Luangwa National Park that concentrates purely on walking safaris. It's very small, but run by a top-quality operation – so come here for walking safaris run by super guides and an excellent wildlife experience.
Takwela Camp
Remote, wild and very small, Takwela Camp offers excellent guiding on both walking safaris and game drives in Zambia's North Luangwa National Park.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings in North Luangwa
This is their success for sightings in North Luangwa National Park. Click on a species for more detail. How we work this out.
100% success
100% success
86% success
81% success
76% success
67% success
66% success
30% success
12% success
3% success
3% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
When to go to North Luangwa National Park
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit North Luangwa in Zambia
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Zambia in January
At the peak of Zambia’s rainy season, you can expect heavy rainfall for a few hours most days, with sunny spells in between. Temperatures remain high, reaching over 30ºC, with high humidity. The rainfall is yet to make a significant difference to the Victoria Falls, and the flow of water here remains low. The landscapes are green and lush and the air crystal clear, but with the abundance of water the wildlife disperses, and the thick bush can restrict sightings. It severely limits walking safaris too. Migrant birds boost the species count at this time.
With seasonal rivers in flood and dirt roads and airstrips unusable, many camps in Zambia become inaccessible, and close. Only a few lodges in the central Kafue and the South Luangwa remain open. Few people visit in January, so the parks are incredibly quiet and the camps charge their lowest rates.
- Peak of rainy season: hot & humid, with rain for a few hours most days
- Majority of camps closed throughout the month
- Bush incredibly green & lush, with clear air – great for photography
- Big game dispersed & thick bush makes sightings difficult
- Very few visitors: the cheapest time to visit
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in January
Zambia in February
February remains in the heart of the rainy season, with dramatic thunderstorms delivering a few hours of rain most days, interspersed with clear sunny skies. There is still an abundance of water in the environment, dispersing game and closing camps. With the thick bush, game viewing is limited and walking safaris restricted, but the swollen rivers allow some activities that would be unavailable in the dry season, such as boat trips on the Luangwa River.
After a couple of months of rain, water will once more be making its way to the Zambezi River, and the flow of water over the Victoria Falls will start to pick up.
Visitor numbers and costs at the few open camps remain low.
- Peak of rainy season: hot & humid with rain for a few hours most days
- Most camps closed throughout the month
- Bush lush & green: good for photography but poor for game viewing
- Very few visitors, & the cheapest time to visit
- Water levels at Victoria Falls still low, but starting to pick up
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in February
Zambia in March
March is the last month of the rainy season in Zambia, and there are still heavy downpours most days. Water levels are at their highest making it difficult to get around the country. Temperatures still reach over 30ºC most days, too, with the rain causing high levels of humidity.
Many camps remain closed, and the thick bush limits game viewing and walking safaris. However, many animals are raising young at this time of year, with predators taking advantage of the easy prey, so sightings can be incredible, if sporadic. Wild dogs in the South Luangwa are particularly active at this time of year. With clear air and increasingly frequent blue skies as a backdrop, photography can be spectacular. The birding remains excellent as thousands of birds prepare for their winter migration.
- Peak of rainy season, hot & humid, with rain for a few hours most days
- Majority of camps closed throughout the month
- Bush remains green & lush: good for photography but poor game viewing
- High abundance of animals with young
- Very few visitors, & the cheapest time to visit
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in March
Zambia in April
As the rains change from intense downpours to lighter and sporadic showers, April is very much a transitionary period in Zambia. The landscape remains exceptionally green and lush, with sparse viewing of larger wildlife.
Although camps start to reopen in April, most remain closed, and others that were open at the start of the year may shut to prepare for the coming dry season. This is the first month of the year when it’s possible to visit the Lower Zambezi.
The Zambezi River will be at its highest level with the Victoria Falls in full flow, but with huge amounts of spray kicked up views of the waterfall are often obscured.
- Tail end of the rainy season; hot & humid with light rain most days
- Some camps reopen; possible to visit the Lower Zambezi
- Bush still green & lush: good for photography; poor for game viewing
- Victoria Falls in full flow but with poor views
- Very few visitors, & the cheapest time to visit
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in April
Zambia in May
May is typically the first month of the dry season. While there is the chance of an odd shower, the majority of days are clear and sunny. As winter approaches, temperatures start to drop, with most days reaching highs of around 26ºC.
As the landscape dries out, access to the parks improves, and all but the most remote bushcamps reopen. After five months of rain there is still a lot of standing water, but despite the thick bush May marks a distinct improvement in game viewing, and clear air is a continuing bonus for photographers.
The end of the month can be a popular time for visitors, taking advantage of typically good weather, improved game viewing, and the last of the low-season rates offered by the camps.
- Start of the dry season in a typical year, with mostly clear & sunny
- Majority of camps open
- Bush still green & lush, with clear air for photographers
- Game viewing starts to improve
- Last month of low rates at the camps
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
Zambia in June
Zambia sees virtually no rainfall in June, with a strong chance of sunny days throughout. The humidity drops dramatically and, as winter approaches, temperatures reduce, falling to around 10ºC at night but still warming to 25ºC during the day.
The landscape remains lush but the bush starts to die back significantly, improving visibility for game viewing and walking safaris. All the camps in the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi are open by the start of June. While some have a ‘shoulder season’, others start charging their highest rates.
The water coming over the Victoria Falls starts to recede, reducing the mist and spray kicked up, providing better views of the waterfall itself.
- Reliably sunny days, but dropping temperatures, especially at night.
- All camps in the South Luangwa, southern Kafue & Lower Zambezi open
- Wildlife viewing continuing to improve
- Increased visibility & cool weather perfect for walking safaris.
- Viewing of the Victoria Falls at its best
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in June
Zambia in July
As the dry season continues, vegetation and long grasses have mostly died back and water starts to become scarce. Wildlife starts to cluster around the major sources of water and the game viewing approaches its best.
July is the first month of winter, and while daytime temperatures are in the 20s Celsius, temperatures at night can drop to single digits. Early morning and late evening drives in open vehicles are particularly cold, and blankets and hot water bottles are often provided.
Visitor numbers increase significantly and space at popular/small camps can get tight. Nearly all properties are now charging their highest rates. Even floodwaters on northern Kafue’s Busanga Plains have now receded, and all camps in Zambia are open.
- Warm, dry days; cold, crisp nights
- Significantly improved game viewing
- Walking safaris are unrestricted by vegetation, with good temperatures
- Approaching peak season, so significant increase in costs
- Northern Kafue now accessible
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in July
Zambia in August
By August, the vegetation has died back and wildlife is now congregating around the remaining water sources, providing excellent game viewing. With virtually no chance of rain you are almost guaranteed sunny days, although dust and smoke in the air means a visible haze starts to appear on the horizon.
Temperatures can drop below 5ºC at night but climb to the 20s Celsius during the day. Jackets and gloves are recommended for morning and evening drives. This is one of the most popular – and most expensive – months to travel. European school holidays have little impact on travel within Zambia, but they do increase international flight costs, and all camps are charging their highest rates.
- Very dry with warm days but cold nights
- Excellent wildlife viewing, as animals congregate around water holes.
- Haze developing on the horizon, potentially affecting photographs
- Cool temperatures & clear sightlines: ideal for walking safaris
- Peak season: camps & flights at their most expensive
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in August
Zambia in September
September is the most popular, and arguably the best, time of year to travel. Rain is almost unheard of so humidity is low, and temperatures are starting to climb. Morning drives are more comfortable, with daytime temperatures normally in the low 30s Celsius.
Water is scarce, so wildlife clusters around the few remaining sources. Game viewing is very nearly at its best, with a good chance of seeing interactions between species. Camps are charging their highest rates and are at their busiest, with popular camps often fully booked more than a year in advance.
A significant haze sometimes appears on the horizon, impacting on landscape views and affecting photography. Depending on the rainfall in the wet season, the Victoria Falls can start looking dry, with more cliff face than waterfall on show.
- Dry hot days with clear skies, & warm nights
- One of the best months for wildlife viewing
- Dust & smoke creates a haze over the landscape
- Peak season: camps are expensive & often full
- Victoria Falls starting to look dry
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in September
Zambia in October
As the dry season peaks, the landscape in October is brown and barren, with little ground-level vegetation, though the promise of rain may bring the occasional shower. Temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, reaching over 40ºC in the daytime and rarely dropping below 20ºC at night. This is particularly challenging on walking safaris and in camps without air conditioning.
A thick haze on the horizon sometimes turns photographic backgrounds grey-brown rather than sky-blue. The lack of water sees hippos and crocodiles cram themselves into the few remaining shallow rivers, with other wildlife carefully skirting around them in order to drink. Game viewing is at its absolute best, and you’re most likely to see hunts in October.
On the Zambian side, stretches of the Victoria Falls become a dry cliff face.
- The best month for wildlife viewing
- Very hot both night & day, with little chance of rain
- Air can be very hazy with dust & smoke, so not great for photography
- Victoria Falls largely dry on Zambian side
- Camps less busy & some start to drop their rates
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
Zambia in November
November typically marks the end of the dry season. Although the timing of the rains is always uncertain, temperatures remain reliably high and the humidity builds as the rains approach.
While you may avoid the rains in the first week of November, it’s not unusual to see some spectacularly heavy thunderstorms, followed by an explosion of green growth. Wildlife disperses rapidly after the rains, no longer restricted to limited waterholes closely monitored by predators. However, Kasanka’s bat migration is at its peak, and wildebeest gather on Liuwa Plains.
Many remote camps close, and those that remain open significantly drop their rates. The initial rains have little impact on the Victoria Falls, but do significantly reduce the atmospheric haze.
- Typically the start of the wet season; very hot and humid
- Increased chance of heavy rain as the month progresses
- Greatly diminished game viewing once the rains arrive
- Bat migration in Kasanka, and wildebeest migration in Liuwa
- Camp rates lower, & visitor numbers reduced
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in November
Zambia in December
December is typically the first month in Zambia’s rainy season, with heavy thunderstorms most days interspersed by sunny spells. Temperatures start to fall, but still reach over 30ºC in the daytime, with high levels of humidity.
As the rainfall increases it brings plentiful water into the landscape, encouraging the growth of thick green vegetation. Wildlife remains in the national parks and sightings are possible, but overall game viewing is poor. Access to the parks becomes problematic and all but a handful of camps around the entrance to the South Luangwa and the centre of Kafue national parks close. Those that do remain open charge their lowest rates and are very quiet.
The rain removes any smoke and dust from the air, returning the sky to a dazzling blue that is great for photographers.
- Start of rainy season, with hot, humid & wet days
- Poor game viewing as wildlife disperses & bush thickens
- Majority of camps close; others charge their lowest rates
- Landscape green with blue skies; photographic opportunities improve
- Victoria Falls still dry
Our view
This is not a great time to visit
Weather in December
North Luangwa National Park: In detail
A guide to North Luangwa National Park
North Luangwa National Park, usually known just as ‘the North Park’, covers 4,636km² of the Luangwa Valley.
The North Park is largely untouched, with few roads and restricted public access, offering a wilder experience of the Luangwa Valley than the much larger South Park.
To get the most out of North Luangwa National Park, our travellers generally visit one of the few camps for walking safaris within the park. Typically a three- to five-night stay at one of the walking camps is perfect, and these camps only operate during the dry season, from June to October.
The North Park can be accessed by air or road. From Mfuwe or Lukuzi in the South Park, a short flight to the North Luangwa airstrip is the easiest and most comfortable way to enter the park. Alternatively, and for more adventurous travellers, North Luangwa National Park can be reached over land, requiring a six-hour drive across rough terrain.
Wildlife of North Luangwa
Animals of North Luangwa National Park
The game in the North Park is similar to the South Park, although there are some notable differences.
The escarpment brings some more unusual mammals to the North Park, including occasional sightings of sable antelope, bushpig and blue monkeys.
In the North Park you’re more likely to see Cookson’s wildebeest, one of the valley’s endemic subspecies. However, you won’t find any giraffes here, they are rarely seen north of the Mupamadzi River. Eland, the largest antelope, are more common in North Luangwa, and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest are also seen more often than in the South Park.
Following the high levels of poaching in the 1980s elephant are scarce and skittish in the North Park. This is changing and the population is growing, but it’ll take a long time before they can match the elephant presence in the South Park.
Lion and buffalo are numerous in the North Park, with buffalo herds even larger than those in South Luangwa, and some very strong prides of lion.
North Luangwa National Park is host to an exciting black rhino re-introduction program. In 2003, five black rhino were introduced into a large fenced-off intensive protection zone, at the heart of the park, with a further ten added in 2006. Despite the death of two of the animals, two baby rhinos were born in the sanctuary, a measure of the project’s success, and a big step towards the aim to establish 20 animals within the now extended sanctuary area.
Birds of North Luangwa National Park
North Luangwa is home to all of the birds species found in South Luangwa. Frequently sighted birds are the carmine bee-eater, giant eagle owl, Pel’s fishing owl, broad billed roller, Lillian’s lovebird, purple crested lorries and crowned cranes.
Furthermore, the North Park is home to a couple of East African bird species that don’t usually occur further south – like the chestnut-mantled sparrow weaver, the white-winged starling and especially the yellow-throated longclaw.
Vegetation of North Luangwa National Park
The 12km long road from Mano down the escarpment, for example, gives one an excellent opportunity to see the difference to the South Luangwa. This road leads you from the two-storey woodlands of the upper and plateau escarpment, with a lightly closed canopy of semi-evergreen trees 15–20m high, down through the Miombo woodlands on the hills to vegetation more typical of the valley as most people know it.
The area south of the Mwaleshi River boasts a huge variety of vegetation, ranging from red mahogany, vegetable ivory palms, leadwood, acacia thicket and open grasslands, morpane woodland to riverine forest and sausage trees.
Map of North Luangwa National Park
Choices for where to stay in North Luangwa National Park
North Luangwa National Park: Safaris
North and South Luangwa share the same ecosystem and largely the same species – but they differ a little for visitors. Whilst camps in South Luangwa can offer both game drives and walking safaris, safari holidays in North Luangwa focus purely on walking.
North Luangwa tends to be more of a challenge to get to, and more expensive – so it is not usually ideal for those on their first safari holiday. However, more experienced travellers will enjoy the remote and untouched nature of North Luangwa – far beyond the reach of the modern world.
Giraffe Safari
9 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
A safari to the remotest parts of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. Perfect for experienced safari goers and first-time Africa adventurers. Explore with expert guides whilst staying at small bushcamps.
US$8,390 - US$9,740 per person
2 safari camps in North Luangwa National Park
Being very remote and only accessible for part of the year, the bushcamp stands on the banks of the Mwaleshi, one of the few sources of water for the game, which consequently gravitates to it. The camp is delightfully simple yet well equipped.
Mwaleshi Camp
Mwaleshi is a particularly remote and rustic bushcamp in North Luangwa National Park that concentrates purely on walking safaris. It's very small, but run by a top-quality operation – so come here for walking safaris run by super guides and an excellent wildlife experience.
Takwela Camp
Remote, wild and very small, Takwela Camp offers excellent guiding on both walking safaris and game drives in Zambia's North Luangwa National Park.