Wildlife in ZambiaOut on the plains there are large herds of Elephant, reaching 70 in number, Buffalo are also plentiful and widely spread. Zebra are common, although the ones in Zambia have a different stripe pattern. Another endemic species is Thornicrofts Giraffe, unique to the valley and easily spotted.
South Luangwa has a very good population of Leopard, one of the best, they are not easily seen, but many of the Lodges game trackers are skilled in finding them on night drives.
Night drives searching for nocturnal animals is a wonderful experience in the Luangwa, not only for Leopard spotting but also for the chance to see smaller carnivores like Genet, Civet, Serval and Honey Badger, also Lion, Hyena, foraging Hippos and Owls.
Lions can be seen in prides of up to 30. Visitors may also see Wild Dog, Caracal and Jackal, although they are less commonly seen. There are 14 varieties of antelope species in the Park. The most numerous of these is the Impala; also see Puku, Bushbuck, Duiker, Eland and Kudu. More remote areas are home to Roan, Sable, Reedbuck, Hartebeest, Grysbok, Oribi and Klipspringer.
Primates most commonly seen are Baboons and Vervet Monkeys. There are rarer sightings of Maloneys monkey and the Night Ape or Bushbaby usually only seen on night drives.
A great many Hippos luxuriate in this environment; visitors can see them in their element right from the entrance to the Park whilst driving over the bridge. The lagoons and dambos are like a magnet for them too, it is estimated that there are 50 hippos per kilometre of the great Luangwa River. Crocodiles also favour this habitat; they are often seen basking on the riverbanks. BirdlifeZambia has 732 species of bird, 400 of which live in the Luangwa Valley. There are 39 birds of prey and 47 migrant species. This is a haven for birdwatchers that would do well to have an interest in the vegetation also, such variety and diversity is there!
At the end of the dry season, many large waterbirds can be seen wading through the receding waters, each using their own particular method to hunt or grab their prey. Visitors can see storks, egrets, pelicans and herons the Goliath Heron can stand stock still for hours until the opportune time to pounce! The Crowned Crane is the most handsome.
Around November visitors from up north and down south migrate here to feed. Red Chested cuckoos, swallows, swifts, hobbies and bee-eaters, the Steppe Eagles and Steppe Buzzards arrive all the way from Russia.
Daily choruses of birds will be a far cry from city life, visitors can expect to hear the Ground Hornbill first thing, Heuglins Robin, cooing doves and larks and the haunting cry of the Fish Eagle. Access:By Air: Mfuwe Airport has recently obtained international status. There are scheduled flights from Lusaka and Lilongwe. Charter planes from outside Zambia can fly direct to Mfuwe and clear customs and immigration there.
By Road: 1. The most used route is from Chipata. It is a generally good road if a little bumpy here an there. The 123km (76 miles) drive takes about 2 hours to Mfuwe, right outside the Park. 2. If driving in a strong 4 x 4 from Lusaka, it is possible to use a short cut from the Great East Road at Petauke, travelling up alongside the Luangwa River to Mfuwe. This must ONLY be attempted well into the dry season. 3. Northern access is from Mpika on the Great North Road OR Lundazi, near the eastern border with Malawi. Just below Mpika is a road running down the Munyamadzi Corridor between North and South Luangwa Parks. It is only just passable in a 4WD and best with 2 vehicles because help is a long way away. There is formidable mountain pass down the escarpment, very rocky and bumpy however the view is spectacular. | 
