3 Days Best Zambia Safari to South Luangwa National Park
This 3 Days Best Zambia Safari to South Luangwa National Park takes you deep into South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa's most pristine wilderness areas renowned for its incredible wildlife diversity and pioneering walking safaris. Your Zambia Safari adventure unfolds in the legendary "Valley of the Leopard," where four of the Big Five roam freely across vast floodplains and mopane woodlands. The park's unique ecosystem supports an extraordinary abundance of wildlife, making it the perfect destination for an authentic African safari experience.
South Luangwa National Park offers an unparalleled Zambia Safari experience with its famous walking safaris, first pioneered in this very valley by legendary guides. This pristine wilderness spans 9,050 square kilometers and is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including large herds of elephants, buffalo, and one of Africa's highest concentrations of leopards. The meandering Luangwa River, known locally as "Luangwa" (river of the royal python), serves as the park's lifeline, creating oxbow lagoons and seasonal floodplains that attract countless species.
Your Zambia Safari journey combines the thrill of traditional game drives with the intimate experience of walking safaris, allowing you to truly connect with the African wilderness. The park's relative isolation has preserved its authentic character, offering visitors a chance to experience wildlife viewing much as the early explorers did, with minimal human interference and maximum wildlife encounters in their natural habitat.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Pick Up from Lusaka and Transfer to South Luangwa National Park
Day 2: Continue with Walking Safari and Classic Game Drive Adventures
Day 3: Proceed with Final Wildlife Viewing and Transfer Back to Lusaka
Price Includes:
- Park fees and conservation levies for South Luangwa National Park
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Ground transport in a custom 4x4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water during game drives and transfers
- Full board accommodation at a selected safari lodge
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide and armed walking guide
- Driver allowances and park fees
- Walking safaris and game drives as specified
- All mentioned activities (excluding optional experiences)
Price Excludes:
- Zambia Visa (where applicable)
- International and internal flights
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional activities
- Laundry services
- Travel insurance
- Beverages beyond provided water
- Tips for staff and guides
Itinary in details
- Day1Pick Up from Lusaka and Transfer to South Luangwa National Park
Your unforgettable Zambia Safari begins with an early morning pick-up from your Lusaka hotel at 6:00 AM, followed by a scenic 4–5-hour drive (approximately 400 kilometers) eastward to South Luangwa National Park through the Great East Road. This exciting Zambia Safari journey takes you through traditional Zambian villages and stunning landscapes before arriving at Mfuwe Gate, the main entrance to the park known locally as "Chipata Chaufisi" (Place of the Royal Antelope). Your first day of this remarkable Zambia Safari concludes with check-in at your safari lodge, a welcome lunch, and an afternoon game drive to explore the Mfuwe sector, famous for its large elephant herds and diverse wildlife concentrations along the Luangwa River.
- Day2Continue with Walking Safari and Classic Game Drive Adventures
Day two of your Zambia Safari adventure starts before dawn with a guided walking safari, one of the park's most famous activities that originated in this very valley over 60 years ago. Your immersive Zambia Safari experience continues with a 3–4-hour walking exploration led by expert armed guides through the "Nsefu Sector," located approximately 30 kilometers north of Mfuwe, where you'll encounter wildlife on foot in areas known locally as "Nsolo" (place of elephants). The afternoon portion of your Zambia Safari features a classic game drive through the park's diverse habitats, targeting four of the Big Five (excluding rhino) and seeking out the legendary leopards that have made this area famous among wildlife enthusiasts worldwide.
- Day3Proceed with Final Wildlife Viewing and Transfer Back to Lusaka
Your final Zambia Safari Day begins with an early morning game drive through the prolific wildlife areas near the confluence of the Luangwa and Kapamba Rivers, approximately 25 kilometers from your lodge. This concluding Zambia Safari experience offers last opportunities to spot any wildlife you may have missed, including the park's famous Thornicroft's giraffes (found nowhere else in the world) and large herds of Cookson's wildebeest in the area known locally as "Chichele" (place of the baobab trees). After a hearty breakfast and final game viewing, your memorable Zambia Safari adventure concludes with the 4-5 hour return journey to Lusaka, arriving in the capital city by late afternoon with incredible memories of South Luangwa's abundant wildlife and pristine wilderness.