North Luangwa National Park is probably one of the least spoilt surviving wilderness areas left in Africa. This remote tract of land covers an area of over 4,600 square kilometers of the Luangwa Valley in Zambia's Northern Province. It is bordered to the east by the Luangwa Valley and to the west by the Muchinga Escarpment.

North Luangwa has a number of perennial streams and rivers that flow from the escarpment down towards the Luangwa but otherwise only has two other annual rivers; the Lufila and the Mwaleshi, on which Kutandala Camp is located. Whereas the Lufila forms the northern boundary, the Mwaleshi bisects the park in a south-easterly direction before flowing into the Luangwa River.

Where to stay in North Luangwa

Kutandala
Rod and Guz Tether have created an absolute gem in Kutandala. This is a camp that absolutely does not compromise itself in any way. It is most certainly not everyones cup of tea, but for those who appreciate true immersion in a totally pristine part of the bush, this camp is very hard to beat.Read More...

The Mwaleshi River originates high in the hills of the escarpment and cascades down in a series of small waterfalls and rapids before reaching the valley floor via the delightful Chomba Waterfall. This crystal clear, cool river is the "Heart" of the North Park boasting some of the largest herds of mammals in Zambia. It is not uncommon to see herds of 1,500 or more buffalo grazing and watering along the banks of the river.

The North Park was declared a Wilderness Area back in 1974 to be left untouched by man. It was only ten years later when it was realized that poaching was having a devastating effect on the wildlife population, particularly that of the elephant and the rhino that the first Safari Operator was allowed to establish his campsites along the Mwaleshi. To date there are only two operators in the whole park and these are only allowed to operate from May until October in camp sites made from semi permanent structures that must be built and removed every year.
The North Park is for the discerning traveller in search of a genuine alternative to the conventional commercial safari. Most of the safaris are conducted on foot and game drives are generally only in conjunction with a walking safari.

The North Park has a diverse habitat ranging from pure stands of mopane forests to riverine thickets. Sausage Trees are plentiful along the banks of the rivers and this leads to the park being rich in over 350 species of birds ranging from the elusive Pel's fishing owl and Osprey to the more common Purple Crested Turaco and Bee-eaters.

North Luangwa has little in the way of infrastructure which further enhances the wilderness experience. The roads were originally carved out of the African bush by hand and still have to be remade at the end of every rainy season, replacing the bridges that are ineveribly washed away by the deludge that occurs in the months from November to April.

North Park opens to visitors normally in May/June when the land has dried enough to enable access and game viewing reaches its peak in the months of August and September as the pools away from the main rivers dry and the animals concentrate along the Mwaleshi River and ends with the onset of the rains in October.

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