Liuwa Plains National Park, Zambia

Liuwa Plains Safari

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

6 Days

Prices Start from

£7,475pp(ex. flights)

Lost amidst the forgotten grasslands of Zambia’s western expanses, the remote Liuwa Plains National Park is a unique and complex ecosystem. Explore this captivating park, rich with plains game and home to the largest wildebeest migration in Southern Africa.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Zebra running on plains, Liuwa Plains, Zambia 1

Liuwa Landscape

Explore a unique landscape, covered with endless grasslands, that seasonally floods.

Liuwa Plains National Park, Zambia 2

Zambian Carnivore Program

Track carnivores in the company of expert researchers from the Zambian Carnivore Program.

Liuwa Plains, Zambia 3

Hyena Clans

Encounter thriving clans of hyenas, numbering up to 60 individuals.

King Lewanika, Liuwa Plains, Zambia 4

King Lewanika Lodge

Stay in beautiful open-fronted suites that look out over the floodplains.

Why we like it

Liuwa Plains does not offer the density of game that can be found in other parks in Africa, but it can offer a safari experience like no other. Its remote locale and wild feel make for a fantastic combination. The feeling of isolation and seclusion is addictive.

And with plains game, carnivores and birdlife all beginning to flourish, the wildlife – set against a fantastically empty landscape – is worth the journey. The chance to explore beside dedicated researchers not only provides a fascinating insight into carnivore conservation, but also guarantees up-close sightings of some of the park’s resurgent predators.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Lusaka

  • Day 2

    Lusaka - Liuwa Plains National Park

  • Days 3-5

    Liuwa Plains National Park

  • Day 6

    Liuwa Plains National Park - Lusaka

Day 1

Lusaka

Day 2

Lusaka - Liuwa Plains National Park

King Lewanika, Liuwa Plains, Zambia

King Lewanika Lodge

Stay in beautiful open-fronted suites that look out over the floodplains.

Days 3-5

Liuwa Plains National Park

Liuwa Plains National Park, Zambia

Zambian Carnivore Program

Track carnivores in the company of expert researchers from the Zambian Carnivore Program.

Day 6

Liuwa Plains National Park - Lusaka

Liuwa Plains, Zambia

Hyena Clans

Encounter thriving clans of hyenas, numbering up to 60 individuals.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Liuwa Plains, Zambia
Liuwa Plains, Zambia

Plains Wildlife

One of Zambia’s remotest parks, Liuwa Plains National Park lies close to the Angolan border. Seasonal flooding inundates these fertile grasslands, which are dotted with enclaves of native woodland.

Drive and walk across the endless grasslands – an expanse that is only disturbed by wildlife and waterholes. Track the plains game that throngs to this fertile savannah, led by expert guides. Get close to zebras, red lechwes, elands and tsessebes.

Also spot the blue wildebeests that swarm these plains, migrating in such numbers that the park can lay claim to the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa.

Liuwa Plains, Zambia
Hammerkop, Liuwa Plains, Zambia

Birdlife

In the skies and besides the popular waterholes, catch sight of the numerous bird species that inhabit the intriguing landscape. Storks, cranes and other water birds flourish here, and those sighted include rare wattled and crowned cranes.

Liuwa Plains, Zambia
Pride of lions, Liuwa Plains, Zambia

Predators

Besides the plains game, track an array of predators across the flat landscape. Liuwa Plains was once home to just a singular lonely lion, known as ‘Lady Liuwa’. However, the park now supports a small pride of reintroduced lions. Tracked and collared, these lions are carefully monitored.

Hyenas also thrive here, with clans of up to 60 individuals frequently spotted. With the long absence of lions, they have become the apex predator in the park.

Zambia Carnivore Programme, Liuwa Plains National Park, Zambia
Liuwa Plains National Park, Zambia

Zambian Carnivore Program

Set out in the company of researchers from the Zambian Carnivore Program, which focuses on conserving large carnivores and protecting the fragile ecosystem in which they reside. Follow the researchers – who have a permanent camp in the park – as they track predators such as wild dogs, lions, cheetahs and hyenas. Learn about animal behaviours within the park.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

King Lewanika Camp £££££

  • Zambia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

The launch of this new lodge heralds the arrival of the first luxury accommodation in the remote Liuwa Plains National Park. King Lewanika Lodge is formed of just six beautiful villas, including a two-bedroomed family villa. These stylish open-fronted villas, all of them spacious and private, look out over the endless plains of the park. Activities include game drives and bush walks, as well as the chance to join researchers from the Zambian Carnivore Program.

View Property

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £7,475 Per person

When to travel

Zambia in January

There are three seasons in Zambia – the cool, dry winter season, the hot, dry summer season and the rainy season, which is in fact even hotter. It will depend on your activity preferences and the destinations in Zambia you are travelling to as to the best time to visit the country.

Zambia in February

Similarly to January, February will experience heavy rainfall throughout the country. Some destinations and accommodation will be open to a variety of outdoor activities, but it should be noted that the majority will remain closed.

Zambia in March

Throughout the winter months, it can be a perfect opportunity for bird watching although some wildlife may be more difficult to spot with the thick vegetation flourishing after the rainy months. You can expect temperatures of 23°C with heavier rainfall at the start of the month.

Zambia in April

As the rainy season comes to an end, both April and May are the best months to visit Victoria Falls, where temperatures are marginally cooler, averaging 21°C and there is less rainfall than previous months.

Zambia in May

Zambia will experience the cool, dry winter season from May until September making it the best time to travel to Zambia as the wildlife is in abundance. Temperatures are pleasant at the beginning and end of this season and there is considerably less rainfall.

Zambia in June

For the best game viewing in Zambia, it is suggested to travel from June to October although safaris are an all-year-round activity. In June temperatures will average 25°C during the daytime and remain cooler through the evening.

Zambia in July

July is one of the peak months to travel to Zambia as temperatures range from 22°C to highs of 30°C. Zambia will experience the least rainfall during July and all accommodation and destinations throughout the country will be fully open, with opportunities to partake in all the activities.

Zambia in August

From June to September, Zambia will experience its peak season as it can be one of the best times to visit the country when both travelling for the wildlife viewings and to see Victoria Falls. It is a popular time to travel to Zambia and so accommodation should be booked well in advance.

Zambia in September

During the month of September, temperatures will begin to rise and can reach highs of 28°C in certain regions of the country. Like July and August, September can be an ideal month for safaris in Zambia, with higher chances of regular wildlife viewings on game drives.

Zambia in October

During the months of October and November, Zambia will experience the hot, dry season, particularly in the river valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa where it will become very hot. Game drives during the day can sometimes become uncomfortable due to the humidity and high temperatures.

Zambia in November

As the dry season comes to an end in the months of October and November, water levels are low and so can be an ideal time to visit Zambia to see the magnificent rock formations yet not the most ideal time to visit Victoria Falls, which is better viewed in April and May.

Zambia in December

From the month of December until April, Zambia experiences the rainy season, which is in fact much hotter than the summer months of October and November. Temperatures can rise to highs of 28°C in December and as rainfall becomes more regular, Zambia will start to experience the lush, green vegetation – harder for spotting wildlife!

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