South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park is widely regarded as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in Africa and the place where the walking safari was born. The park is defined by the meandering Luangwa River whose oxbow lagoons and ebony forests support an extraordinary concentration of wildlife. The density of leopard in South Luangwa is among the highest in Africa and the park is one of the best places on the continent to see these elusive cats. Large herds of buffalo, elephant, and hippo are resident alongside Thornicroft’s giraffe — an endemic subspecies found nowhere else. The park pioneered guided walking safaris allowing visitors to experience the bush on foot with armed guides and this tradition continues to define the South Luangwa experience. Night drives reveal a world of nocturnal predators including genet, civet, and the occasional honey badger.