North Luangwa National Park

For those seeking an unspoiled wilderness experience, North Luangwa National Park offers a rare and extraordinary adventure. Spanning 4,636km² (2,880mi²), this remote haven is one of Zambia’s most pristine landscapes, where nature thrives untouched. Home to significant populations of buffalo, elephant, and predators such as the elusive wild dog, the park also hosts a stable herd of black rhinos, making it a true Big Five destination.

North Luangwa offers visitors a glimpse into Africa as it once was—raw, untamed, and breathtakingly authentic. Declared a wilderness area, the park remained closed to the public for over three decades, accessible only to Game Department rangers. This changed in 1984 when John and Lorna Harvey gained permission to operate walking safaris, pioneering tourism in this remote and wild expanse.

In 1989, Mark and Delia Owens, renowned for their book Cry of the Kalahari, established a research station here, furthering efforts to protect this fragile ecosystem. Their work, chronicled in Survivors Song: The Eye of the Elephant, helped introduce limited tourism to North Luangwa. Today, visitors can explore this wilderness on guided walking safaris and game drives led by expert operators. Private vehicles and camping remain prohibited, ensuring the park retains its untouched charm.

The park’s dramatic landscape is defined by the Muchinga Escarpment, which towers over 1,000m (3,280ft) above the valley floor, offering a stunning backdrop to the Luangwa River and its tributaries. Among these tributaries, the Mwaleshi River stands out with its clear waters cascading in small waterfalls. During the dry season, it transforms into pools that attract thirsty wildlife, creating unforgettable opportunities for observation. Notably, the Mwaleshi area is reserved exclusively for organized walking safaris, further enhancing the sense of isolation and immersion.

North Luangwa’s vegetation is as diverse as its wildlife, ranging from mopane woodlands and riverine forests to acacia thickets and open grasslands. Iconic trees such as the sausage tree, red mahogany, leadwood, and vegetable ivory palms add to the park’s scenic beauty.

A visit to North Luangwa National Park is more than just a safari—it’s an intimate encounter with the wild, a place where you can lose yourself in Africa’s raw and untouched splendor.