Name: North Luangwa NP
Address: Botswana

Overview

North Luangwa is a little national park in the northeast area of Zambia. The magnificence of visiting this Park is the genuinely astounding chance to encounter Africa as it was. It is wild and immaculate and you are basically an unpretentious observer to its regular magnificence and dramatization. There are various tributary rivers going through the Park and into the Luangwa which assume a significant ecological role in the area. The perfectly clear Mwaleshi River streams down the ledge in a progression of little cascades. The habitat and wildlife are like South Luangwa, yet creatures are less habituated. All the Big Five can be found, with Black rhino ensured in an enormous secured sanctuary.

High Season

July to October

Best Time to Go

July to October

Pros & Cons

Amazing wildlife viewing with all of the Big 5 animals
The only place in the country with Black Rhino population
Best add-on to a conventional safari in South Luangwa
Game drives, night drives and walking safaris are available

Self drive option is allowed here in the northern part of the park but need to be self-sufficient
Very limited, expensive, fly-in accommodation options in the southern wilderness area

Map in Botswana

Want to Visit North Luangwa NP?

Gallery Images

Explore the stunning beauty of North Luangwa NP through our curated collection of photographs showcasing its landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders.

Want to Visit North Luangwa NP?

Wildlife & Animals

North Luangwa National Park is noted for its enormous groups of buffalo, a tremendous sight if they're seen on the run, kicking up dust for a significant distance behind them. Enormous prides of lions occupy the region and it isn't remarkable to observe a kill. Other common vertebrates are hyaena, Cookson’s wildebeest, bushbuck, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, puku and impala. Elephants and leopards can also be spotted easily, but not as oftentimes as in South Park. There is no giraffe in the north, yet You are bound to see hartebeest, reedbuck and eland here.

Wildlife Highlights

North Luangwa is home to Zambia's only black rhinos. The re-introduction program has been colossally fruitful and the populace is developing consistently. Crawshay's zebra, an endemic sub-species, is common. The rare Cookson's wildebeest and Lichtenstein's hartebeest are effectively spotted also.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

North Luangwa has very seasonal wildlife viewing. The best time to visit the North Luangwa National park is in the Dry season from July to November when water is inadequate and animals gather to drink. At this time the vegetation is also thinner making sightings easier. During the Wet season from December to April, most of the lodges are closed.

Want to Visit North Luangwa NP?

Birds

North Luangwa has excellent bird watching opportunities with more than 400 species recorded so far which includes Resident and migratory species. North Luangwa’s wilderness area is set aside for walking only, which makes it a very rewarding birding destination. The escarpment area in North Luangwa offers some species not found further south, including the babbling starling and chestnut-backed sparrow weaver. The park is great for raptors as well and 38 species have been recorded. However, All the birds in the South have been recorded here as well. Sighted regularly are the crowned cranes, purple crested loeries, broad-billed roller, Lilian’s lovebird, the carmine bee-eater, giant eagle owl and Pel’s fishing owl. Occasionally seen are the bat hawk, black coucal and osprey.

Best Time for Birding

North Luangwa offers a great birding experience throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is during the wet season from November to April. It is also the time when migratory birds are available and a lot of birds can be seen in breeding plumage. However, most of the park is inaccessible and therefore closed at this time.

Want to Visit North Luangwa NP?

Best Time to Visit – North Luangwa NP

High Season

July to October

Low Season

Seasonal rains can affect access in some areas

Best Weather

Typically during dry months; check local patterns

Worst Weather

Peak of Wet season; very hot months vary by region

May to October (Dry Season)

Less vegetation and animals concentrate around water, making them easier to spot
The skies are clear, rain is rare, and there are fewer mosquitoes
Even though most tourists visit during the Dry season, the parks still feel uncrowded, except for the bustling Chobe riverfront area