South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: Luxury Safari Guide

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South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: Luxury Safari Guide

Overview

South Luangwa National Park – Zambia’s Walking Safari Paradise

Why Visit South Luangwa National Park

Short answer: South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari. Along the Luangwa River, guided walks and game drives reveal elephants, lions, leopards, hippos and giraffes, with some of Africa’s best guiding.

Renowned as the birthplace of the walking safari, South Luangwa National Park offers Camptrek Safaris guests an unparalleled blend of adventure, intimacy, and luxury. Meandering along the Luangwa River, this park is a sanctuary of wildlife richness, where elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, and giraffes roam freely across floodplains, woodlands, and savannahs.

The park’s intimate trails and remote camps allow for immersive experiences, from guided walking safaris to private game drives, all under the expert guidance of seasoned rangers. Birdlife thrives here, adding vibrant color and sound to every moment, while the river provides scenic backdrops for unforgettable sunset and photography opportunities.

Luxury in South Luangwa is discreet and deeply connected to nature. Exclusive lodges and private tented camps offer personalized service, panoramic views, and refined comfort, ensuring guests experience the wilderness without compromise. Camptrek Safaris designs bespoke itineraries, from dawn wildlife walks to evening riverfront dinners, delivering a safari that is immersive, private, and uniquely high-end

Where to Stay in South Luangwa National Park (lodge cards as H3)

South Luangwa National Park Safari Itineraries

Explore more of Zambia.

South Luangwa National Park FAQs

Why is South Luangwa famous?
It is known as the birthplace of the walking safari.

What wildlife can you see?
Elephants, lions, leopards, hippos and giraffes, among others.

When is the best time to visit?
The dry season, from about June to October.

Contact our safari specialists to start planning your trip.

Highlights

Walking Safari Heritage: Guided walks offering intimate wildlife encounters

 

Rich Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, and prolific birdlife

 

Scenic River Experiences: Luangwa River game drives and photography moments

Camptrek VIP Experiences: Tailor-made itineraries, private guides, and exclusive lodges

Gallery

Places to Visit in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: Luxury Safari Guide

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Where to Stay in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia: Luxury Safari Guide

Matetsi Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe

Hotel in Victoria Falls

Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa

Hotel in South Luangwa National Park

Tsala Treetop Lodge, Garden Route

Hotel in Garden Route

One&Only Nyungwe House, Rwanda

Hotel in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Emara Ole-Sereni, Masai Mara

Hotel in Kenya

JW Marriott Masai Mara, Kenya

Hotel in Kenya

Sarova Mara Game Camp, Masai Mara

Hotel in Kenya

Nyungwe Forest Lounge, Rwanda

Hotel in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana

Hotel in Botswana

Sawela Lodge Naivasha, Lake Naivasha

Hotel in Kenya

Amboseli Oltukai Lodge, Kenya

Hotel in Amboseli National Park

Asila Olpejeta Bush Camp, Ol Pejeta

Hotel in Ol Pejeta – Laikipia

Four Seasons Zanzibar, Tanzania

Hotel in Tanzania

The Oyster Box Durban, South Africa

Hotel in Durban

Muthu Keekorok Lodge, Masai Mara

Hotel in Kenya

Ashnil Mara Camp, Masai Mara

Hotel in Mara Plains – Maasai Mara

Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Kenya

Hotel in Kenya

Little Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta

Hotel in Botswana

Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Tanzania

Hotel in Ngorongoro Crater

Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, Botswana

Hotel in Botswana

Mbweha Camp, Lake Nakuru

Hotel in Kenya

Radisson Blu Hotel Kigali, Rwanda

Hotel in Kigali

Ngorongoro Melia Lodge, Tanzania

Hotel in Ngorongoro Crater

Amboseli Tortilis Camp, Kenya

Hotel in Amboseli National Park

Fairmont The Norfolk, Nairobi

Hotel in David Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage

Neptune Ngorongoro Luxury Lodge, Tanzania

Hotel in Ngorongoro Crater

Ngoma Safari Lodge, Hwange

Hotel in Hwange National Park

Tongabezi Lodge, Victoria Falls

Hotel in Victoria Falls

Munazi Lodge, Rwanda

Hotel in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Nimali Tarangire, Tanzania

Hotel in Tanzania

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge, Kenya

Hotel in Kenya

Chobe Chilwero Lodge, Botswana

Hotel in Chobe National Park

The Plettenberg SLH Hotel

Hemingways, Nairobi

Hotel in David Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage

Neptune Serengeti, Tanzania

Hotel in Serengeti National park

Puku Ridge, South Luangwa

Hotel in South Luangwa National Park

Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta

Hotel in Botswana

Somalisa Camp, Hwange

Hotel in Hwange National Park

Beverly Hills Hotel Durban, South Africa

Elephant Bedroom Camp, Masai Mara

Old Drift Lodge, Victoria Falls

Hotel in Victoria Falls

Surana Buffalo Springs, Samburu

Hotel in Kenya

Veldee Hotel Zanzibar, Tanzania

Hotel in Tanzania

Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge, Tsavo West

Hotel in Kenya

Madikwe Safari Lodge

Hotel in Madikwe Game Reserve

When to Visit South Luangwa National Park

May – October: Dry season with peak wildlife viewing and optimal conditions for walking safaris

November – April: Green season with lush landscapes, abundant birdlife, and fewer visitors for a quieter luxury safari

Trip Inspirations

14-Day Kenya & Tanzania Wildebeest Calving Safari
14 Day Safari
From: $8,736
Zimbabwe Ultra-Luxury Safari: Victoria Falls to Hwange
7 Day Safari
8-Day Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
8 Day Safari
From: $8,675
7-Day Kenya Helicopter & Fly-In Conservancy Safari
7 Day Safari
10-Day Kenya Safari: Nairobi, Amboseli, Samburu & Masai Mara
10 Day Safari
From: $10,093
5-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru & Naivasha
5 Day Safari
From: $3,627
12-Day Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
12 Day Safari
From: $10,224
13-Day Kenya & Tanzania Safari with Zanzibar Beach
13 Day Safari
From: $10,572
5-Day Amboseli & Tsavo West Luxury Safari
5 Day Safari
From: $2,844
7-Day Tanzania Northern Circuit Luxury Safari
7 Day Safari
From: $4,805
Epic Kenya & Tanzania Luxury Adventure Safari
18 Day Safari
From: $19,087
Zambia Luxury Safari: Victoria Falls & South Luangwa
7 Day Safari
7-Day Kenya Safari: Masai Mara, Nakuru, Aberdare & Samburu
7 Day Safari
From: $5,759
11-Day Zimbabwe & Mozambique Off-the-Beaten-Track Safari
11 Day Safari
From: $8,499
8-Day Private Guided Namibia Safari from Windhoek
8 Day Safari
From: $7,347
14-Day Kenya & Tanzania Big Five Safari
14 Day Safari
From: $14,368
7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Machame Route
7 Day Safari
11-Day Kenya & Tanzania High-End Safari
11 Day Safari
From: $8,960
4-Day Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru Luxury Safari
4 Day Safari
From: $1,890
10-Day Fly-In Gorilla Trekking & Kenya Wildlife Safari
10 Day Safari
From: $10,500
8-Day Cape Town & Garden Route Luxury Tour
8 Day Safari
3-Day Masai Mara Fly-In Luxury Safari
3 Day Safari
From: $5,608
6-Day Kenya & Tanzania Big Five Highlights Safari
6 Day Safari
From: $9,567
6-Day Kenya Safari: Amboseli, Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara
6 Day Safari
From: $9,166
8-Day Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
8 Day Safari
From: $7,347
4-Day Masai Mara Safari at Elewana Sand River
4 Day Safari
From: $3,992
6-Day Namibia Fly-In Safari
6 Day Safari
From: $9,379
12-Day Northern Kenya Expedition: Samburu, Marsabit & Lake Turkana
12 Day Safari
From: $5,324
5-Day Madagascar Safari: Baobabs & Tsingy de Bemaraha
5 Day Safari
From: $1,833
9-Day Mozambique Beach Holiday: Coastal Highlights
9 Day Safari
From: $4,299
7-Day Kenya Wildlife & Outdoor Adventure: Amboseli to Masai Mara
7 Day Safari
From: $5,277
8-Day group Joining Tour Kenya & Tanzania Iconic Parks Safari
8 Day Safari
From: $4,408
29-Day East & Southern Africa Luxury Safari Circuit
30 Day Safari
5-Day Laikipia & Samburu Luxury Safari
5 Day Safari
From: $4,723
7-Day Kenya Safari: Ol Pejeta, Masai Mara & Lake Nakuru
7 Day Safari
From: $5,677
6-Day Kenya Bush-to-Beach Safari
6 Day Safari
From: $4,012
13-Day Kenya & Tanzania Small-Group Luxury Safari
13 Day Safari
From: $10,050
16-Day Kenya Birding, Wildlife & Photography Safari
16 Day Safari
From: $10,802
7-Day Kenya Fly-In Safari: Amboseli, Samburu & Masai Mara
7 Day Safari
From: $7,281
14-Day Kenya & Tanzania Relaxed Luxury Safari
14 Day Safari
From: $11,574
The Great Hemingway Safari: Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda
18 Day Safari
From: $19,235
8-Day Kenya Bush-to-Beach Safari: Amboseli, Tsavo & Watamu
8 Day Safari
From: $4,881
6-Day Masai Mara Conservancy Safari: Olare Motorogi & Mara Plains
6 Day Safari
Botswana Luxury Safari: Okavango Delta, Chobe & Savute
10 Day Safari
21-Day Gorilla Trekking, Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar Safari
21 Day Safari

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Meet Our Luxury Travel Specialists

John Njoroge

Director Camptrek Safaris

Africa Travel Specialist

25+ Years Experience

Lucy Kagure

Africa Travel Specialist

Africa Travel Specialist

5+ Years Experience

Carine Muzana

Lead Travel Advisor – Gorilla Trekking (Rwanda & Uganda)

Eastern Africa Travel Specialist

15+ Years Experience

Margaret Nyambura

Africa Travel Specialist

Eastern Africa Travel Specialist

5+ Years Experience

Rose Khasiala

Africa Travel Specialist

Eastern Africa Travel Specialist

5+ Years Experience

Augustine Mwaura

Africa Travel Specialist

Africa Travel Specialist

3+ Years Experience

Kennedy Mwangi

IT Systems & Technology Lead

Africa Travel Specialist

7+ Years Experience

Simon Seno

Business Development Lead

Southern Africa Travel Specialist

5+ Years Experience

Benson Wainaina

Safari Guide & Driver

Africa Travel Specialist

15+ Years Experience

A Curated Collection of Africa's Finest

Crafting your journey from a curated portfolio of 500+ exclusive lodges and safari operators, we ensure luxury, comfort, and authenticity at every step.