The Lower Zambezi or the South Luangwa; how to choose? One takes you deep into the bush, where every track in the sand tells a story of life in the wild. The other invites you to enjoy a river, where adventure flows as naturally as the water itself. Both parks, nestled deep in Zambia’s heart, offer journeys into the wilderness — each unique, each unforgettable.

As dawn breaks over South Luangwa, the world stirs with quiet anticipation.

The first rays of sunlight gently wake the landscape, casting a golden glow across the open plains and the winding Luangwa River. Famous for its walking safaris, this park offers more than just a game-viewing experience. Led by seasoned guides, you venture off the beaten track and trace the footsteps of early explorers. There’s a tranquillity in the stillness and guests are encouraged to slow down and notice the details.

With so much beauty and diversity in this Zambian National Park, we have set up camp in five different locations. Each camp has its own distinctive personality and style, yet all are designed to reconnect guests with the natural world by providing an immersive, authentic experience. Panoramic views, open air design, natural light and organic materials bring the beauty of the South Luangwa to every moment of your stay. Whether it’s the luxury of Chinzombo or the old-world charm of Luwi, there is a camp (or two!) suited to every traveller.

The Luangwa River, the lifeline of the park, draws animals to its banks. The South Luangwa is known for its big cat sightings and often referred to as the Valley of the Leopard. But it is not just the wildlife that captures the eye, the landscape, shifting between dense woodlands, open plains, and the Luangwa River and its seasonal tributaries, turns every game drive or walking safari into a new chapter in your journey.

As day turns to night, the park transforms under the glow of the stars, and night safaris reveal the hidden world of nocturnal creatures. For the adventurous spirits, we have a special Sleepout experience where you can fall asleep under a canopy of a million twinkling stars, listening to the song of the bush.

Just when you think the wilderness has shown you everything, the Lower Zambezi whispers, calling you to the water’s edge.

As you glide down the Zambezi in a canoe, the world slows down, and the rhythm of the river takes over. Elephants wade in the shallows, their massive forms reflected in the river’s mirror-like surface, while hippos and crocodiles bask nearby. Here adventure is as much about stillness as it is about action.

The Lower Zambezi is at its most magical from April to November, when the river is perfect for boating safaris. But the magic of the Lower Zambezi is in its diversity. You can spend your morning casting a line for the famous tigerfish or paddling silently through the water as the wildlife drinks at the river’s edge, then shift gears in the afternoon, tracking predators on a game drive. The region is especially wonderful for large, relaxed herds of elephants, diverse birdlife, predator encounters, especially endangered wild dogs, and large pods of hippos.

Tucked along the peaceful banks of the Chongwe River, beneath a canopy of majestic winterthorn trees, you’ll find Time + Tide Chongwe. Whether you choose a classic safari tent, a luxurious suite, or the exclusive-use house, every option invites you to settle into the rhythm of nature. Here, the river flows gently, wading birds move gracefully through the shallows, and the playful echoes of hippos’ laughter drift across the water, wrapping you in the magic of this serene wilderness.

Both South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi are gateways to Zambia’s wild heart. In South Luangwa, the wildlife is abundant, and the walking safaris invite you to be a part of nature’s story, step by step. In the Lower Zambezi, surprise and delight awaits around every bend in the river. So perhaps the real question is not which one, but rather why choose?

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Images by Oliver Fly

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