About Destination
The North Luangwa National Park is a secluded expanse of land in the northernmost part of three parks in the valley of the River Luangwa. North Luangwa is regarded to be one of the last surviving wilderness in Africa, covering 4636 square kilometers. Secluded from the public, with no permanent cottages there. Access is with one of the safari operators approved to conduct walking safaris Remote Africa and Shiwa Safaris.
A visit through the park
The attraction of visiting this park is the remarkable chance to explore Africa just as it was. You are merely an unobtrusive witness to its natural beauty and drama. The North Luangwa National Park was established as a game reserve in 1938, and it became a national park in 1972.
There are very roads, and you are likely not to see anyone during your trip. Like the South Park, it rests on the western bank of the Luangwa River adjoined on the other side by the Muchinga Escarpment spreading over 1000 meters from the valley floor. Its faint outline can be seen from the Luangwa River.
Many tributary rivers are running through the park and into the Luangwa River which plays an essential ecological function in the area. The Mwaleshi River flows down the Escarpment in a range of tiny waterfalls. It decreases in the dry season, leaving various pools along the way, attracting the game from the bush to its banks in looking for water. No game drives are allowed in the Mwaleshi area; access is only through walking safaris. The vegetation extends from mopane woodland to riverine forest, open grasslands, and acacia thicket. Trees include the beautiful vegetable ivory palms, red mahogany, sausage tree, and leadwood.
The Park
The Park is famous for its big herds of buffalo, a spectacular sight if they’re seen on the run, kicking up dust for miles behind them. Tremendous pride of lion also inhabit the area. Other common mammals are Cookson’s wildebeest, bushbuck, zebra, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, puk, hyena, and impala. Elephant and Leopard are also viewed, but not as often as in the South Park. You are more inclined to see hartebeest, reedbuck, and land here.
All birds in the South have been documented here as well. Seen typically are the crowned cranes, giant eagle owl purple crested lorries, broad billed roller, Lilian’s lovebird, the carmine bee-eater and Pel’s fishing owl. Hardly seen are the bat hawk, black coucal, and osprey. In 2003, re-introduced heavily guarded are black rhinoceroses which rarely seen.