South Luangwa National Park, situated in the Eastern Province of Zambia, a one-hour internal flight from the Capital Lusaka to the local airport of Mfuwe, has rightfully earned its reputation as one of Africa's premier national parks. The story of this 9,050 km2 park, Zambia’s premier National Park, is woven into the fabric of African conservation and showcases the beauty of its diverse ecosystems.
It was in 1938 that South Luangwa was declared a game reserve by the British colonial authorities, recognizing its ecological significance, with one of the park's defining moments occurring in the 1950s when visionary conservationist Norman Carr pioneered innovative wildlife protection strategies, including the concept of walking safaris. His efforts laid the foundation for sustainable tourism and the preservation of South Luangwa's unique flora and fauna.
Today, South Luangwa National Park is celebrated for its incredible biodiversity, including over 60 animal species and over 400 birdlife species. The park, known to many as the Valley of the Leopard is especially renowned for its large populations of predators, including lions, wild dogs and the eponymous leopards. In addition, large numbers of elephants, buffalos, hippos and a variety of antelope offers visitors unparalleled opportunities for wildlife viewing.
South Luangwa's commitment to responsible tourism and community engagement ensures that the park remains a model for conservation and sustainable development and firmly cements its position as one of Africa's premier national parks and a must-visit destination for any nature enthusiast, photographer or wildlife lover.
There is no ‘wrong’ time to visit South Luangwa National Park, with each season having its own attractions: The Cool Dry – mid-to-late-April / to late-July; the Hot Dry - August to October; the Early Rains – early / mid-November & December and the Peak Rains - January to March.
At Chikunto Safari Camp & Lodge their Emerald Season runs from mid-February to the end of May, with a combination of water-based and land-based safari options available (subject to water levels) with fabulous light conditions and an ideal time for ‘birders’. For details on your preferred dates or for a more detailed description contact Chikunto directly.
The peak safari season runs from June to the end of September, with what is known as the ‘shoulder season’ running from October to the middle of November. As the Luangwa River starts to dry the concentration of animals around the dwindling water sources grows ever higher.
Travelled to Zambia for my first safari experience with my partner who has been a couple of times before, and we both fell in love with Chikunto! The lodge itself is beautiful, you can tell a lot of thought and love went into designing and building everything. We were also fortunate enough to have met Jens who told us how they wanted to make sure that they were investing into the local people, inv...
My wife and I visited Chikunto for the first time in April 2023, at the end of rainy season. We absolutely loved the camp, the people, and the area, so we returned in October 2025 to see the difference at the end of the dry season. The game drive experiences were very different and both were extremely enjoyable. But the camp and staff were still the same ........ EXTRAORDINARY!! It feels like we ...
We thoroughly enjoyed our 7 nights at Chikunto, and we are already trying to figure out when we will be able to return... When we come back, we are thinking about spending 10+ nights'! We had a fabulous time, extremely knowledgeable guides, amazing photographic opportunities, leopard and wild dog sightings most days. Hospitality 5* plus, staff were very welcoming and accommodated all of our needs ...
We thoroughly enjoyed our experience in this beautiful lodge. From the exciting drives to the delicious food to the exceptional service, everything was impeccable. All the staff were attentive, interested, and personable. A special thanks to Manny whose knowledge and humour enhanced all our drives. He made sure we saw all the animals on our list, and more! It was good to meet the owner, Jens, an...
Last month I stayed at the Chikunto Safari Lodge during a photography safari and it was the best tented safari lodge experience I have experienced. Everything was pristine and well designed... The amenities were thoughtfully curated to offer all of the comfort/luxury essentials without anything unnecessary. The staff were consistently courteous, attentive and always genuinely warm. Their hospital...
