South Luangwa National Park
Encyclopedia
South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia
, the southernmost of three national parks in the valley of the Luangwa River
, is a world-renowned wildlife haven. It supports large populations of Thornicroft's Giraffe
, and herds of elephant
and buffalo
often several hundred strong, while the Luangwa River supports abundant crocodile
s and hippopotamus
es. It is one of the best-known national parks in Africa
for walking safaris. Founded as a game reserve
in 1938, it became a national park
in 1972 and now covers 9,050 km².
The Muchinga Escarpment in Northern
and Central Provinces
forms the park's western or north-western boundary, it slopes down from there to the river, lying mostly on its western bank. The eastern bank of the river is in Eastern Province
, and as access to the park is only from that side, it is usually thought of as being wholly in Eastern Province.
The park spans two ecoregions, both of them woodland
savannah, distinguished by the dominant tree: Southern Miombo woodlands cover the higher slopes of the valley, while Zambezian and Mopane woodlands cover the bottom of the valley. The Mopane
tree tolerates the higher temperatures and lower rainfall found at lower elevations than Miombo
trees which are found on the higher plateau. Within these woodland savannahs are larger patches of grassland, so that grazers such as zebra
and leaf browsers such as giraffe are found in profusion in the same areas. Patches of flooded grassland habitats (floodplains) are found close to the river, on which hippopotamus graze at night. Their dung released into the river fertilises its waters and sustains the fish population which in turn sustains the crocodiles.
The Luangwa valley, continued to the west by the Lunsemfwa River
valley, contains some varieties of animals such as Cookson's wildebeest and Crawshay's zebra
which are endemic
or near-endemic to the valley. It also represents something of a natural barrier to human migration and transport, no roads cross it and this has helped conserve its wildlife.
Although the park is generally well-protected from poaching
, the park's black rhinos were wiped out by 1987, and the elephant population has been under serious pressure at times.
The main settlement of the park is actually outside its eastern boundary at Mfuwe
, home to an international airport
.
One of the park's greatest visitor attractions is at Mfuwe Lodge
, where every November, a small herd of elephants walks right through the Lodge's reception area in order to reach a wild mango tree.
Mfuwe Lodge
provides safari vehicles with guides having very good knowledge of the wild life of Mfuwe. The safari drives are normally taken in 2 shifts for all the visitors in the dry season. The first one is in the morning from 6:00 AM to about 11:00 AM and the second one from 3:00 PM to about 7:00 PM. There are refreshment breaks of half hour in each shift.
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, the southernmost of three national parks in the valley of the Luangwa River
Luangwa River
The Luangwa River is one of the major tributaries of the Zambezi River, and one of the four biggest rivers of Zambia. The river generally floods in the rainy season and then falls considerably in the dry season...
, is a world-renowned wildlife haven. It supports large populations of Thornicroft's Giraffe
Giraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
, and herds of elephant
African Bush Elephant
The African Bush Elephant or African Savanna Elephant is the larger of the two species of African elephant. Both it and the African Forest Elephant have usually been classified as a single species, known simply as the African Elephant...
and buffalo
African Buffalo
The African buffalo, affalo, nyati, Mbogo or Cape buffalo is a large African bovine. It is not closely related to the slightly larger wild Asian water buffalo, but its ancestry remains unclear...
often several hundred strong, while the Luangwa River supports abundant crocodile
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
s and hippopotamus
Hippopotamus
The hippopotamus , or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" , is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third largest land mammal and the heaviest...
es. It is one of the best-known national parks in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
for walking safaris. Founded as a game reserve
Game reserve
A game reserve is an area of land set aside for maintenance of wildlife for tourism or hunting purposes. Many game reserves are located in Africa. Most are open to the public, and tourists commonly take sightseeing safaris or hunt wild game....
in 1938, it became a national park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in 1972 and now covers 9,050 km².
Northern Province, Zambia
Northern Province is one of Zambia's nine provinces. It covers approximately one fifth of Zambia in land area. The provincial capital is Kasama. The province is made up of 12 districts, namely Kasama , Chilubi, Isoka, Chinsali, Kaputa, Luwingu, Mbala, Mporokoso, Mpika, Mpulungu, Mungwi and Nakonde...
and Central Provinces
Central Province, Zambia
Central Province is one of Zambia's nine provinces. The provincial capital is Kabwe, home of the Mulungushi Rock of Authority, founder home of UNIP, the ruling political party in the second republic ....
forms the park's western or north-western boundary, it slopes down from there to the river, lying mostly on its western bank. The eastern bank of the river is in Eastern Province
Eastern Province, Zambia
Eastern Province is one of Zambia's nine provinces. The province lies between the Luangwa River and the border with Malawi, from Isoka in the northeast to just north of Luangwa in the south.The provincial capital is Chipata...
, and as access to the park is only from that side, it is usually thought of as being wholly in Eastern Province.
The park spans two ecoregions, both of them woodland
Woodland
Ecologically, a woodland is a low-density forest forming open habitats with plenty of sunlight and limited shade. Woodlands may support an understory of shrubs and herbaceous plants including grasses. Woodland may form a transition to shrubland under drier conditions or during early stages of...
savannah, distinguished by the dominant tree: Southern Miombo woodlands cover the higher slopes of the valley, while Zambezian and Mopane woodlands cover the bottom of the valley. The Mopane
Mopane
The mopane or mopani tree grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas, in elevation, in the far northern parts of southern Africa, into South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and Malawi. The tree only occurs in Africa and is the only species in genus Colophospermum...
tree tolerates the higher temperatures and lower rainfall found at lower elevations than Miombo
Miombo
Miombo is the Swahili word for Brachystegia, a genus of tree comprising a large number of species. Miombo woodland is classified in the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome...
trees which are found on the higher plateau. Within these woodland savannahs are larger patches of grassland, so that grazers such as zebra
Zebra
Zebras are several species of African equids united by their distinctive black and white stripes. Their stripes come in different patterns unique to each individual. They are generally social animals that live in small harems to large herds...
and leaf browsers such as giraffe are found in profusion in the same areas. Patches of flooded grassland habitats (floodplains) are found close to the river, on which hippopotamus graze at night. Their dung released into the river fertilises its waters and sustains the fish population which in turn sustains the crocodiles.
The Luangwa valley, continued to the west by the Lunsemfwa River
Lunsemfwa River
The Lunsemfwa River is a tributary of the Lukasashi and Luangwa Rivers in Zambia and part of the Zambezi River basin. It is a popular river for fishing, containing large populations of tigerfish and bream....
valley, contains some varieties of animals such as Cookson's wildebeest and Crawshay's zebra
Crawshay's Zebra
The Crawshay's zebra is a subspecies of the plains zebra. It is native to eastern Zambia, Malawi, and northern Mozambique. Crawshay's zebras can be distinguished from other subspecies of plains zebras in that its lower incisors lack an infundibulum....
which are endemic
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
or near-endemic to the valley. It also represents something of a natural barrier to human migration and transport, no roads cross it and this has helped conserve its wildlife.
Although the park is generally well-protected from poaching
Poaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
, the park's black rhinos were wiped out by 1987, and the elephant population has been under serious pressure at times.
The main settlement of the park is actually outside its eastern boundary at Mfuwe
Mfuwe
Mfuwe is the main settlement of South Luangwa National Park in the Eastern Province of Zambia, serving the tourism industry and wildlife conservation in the Luangwa Valley...
, home to an international airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
.
One of the park's greatest visitor attractions is at Mfuwe Lodge
Mfuwe Lodge
Mfuwe Lodge is a safari lodge overlooking Mfuwe Lagoon in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, just five minutes’ drive from the main gate. It comprises 18 chalets which were completely refurbished in 2010. There is an adjoining Bush Spa offering massages and other spa treatments...
, where every November, a small herd of elephants walks right through the Lodge's reception area in order to reach a wild mango tree.
Mfuwe Lodge
Mfuwe Lodge
Mfuwe Lodge is a safari lodge overlooking Mfuwe Lagoon in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, just five minutes’ drive from the main gate. It comprises 18 chalets which were completely refurbished in 2010. There is an adjoining Bush Spa offering massages and other spa treatments...
provides safari vehicles with guides having very good knowledge of the wild life of Mfuwe. The safari drives are normally taken in 2 shifts for all the visitors in the dry season. The first one is in the morning from 6:00 AM to about 11:00 AM and the second one from 3:00 PM to about 7:00 PM. There are refreshment breaks of half hour in each shift.
See also
- Thornicroft lodge
- Wildlife of ZambiaWildlife of ZambiaThe wildlife of Zambia refers to the natural flora and fauna of Zambia. This article provides an overview, and outline of the main wildlife areas or regions, and compact lists of animals focussing on prevalence and distribution in the country rather than on taxonomy...
- Mfuwe LodgeMfuwe LodgeMfuwe Lodge is a safari lodge overlooking Mfuwe Lagoon in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, just five minutes’ drive from the main gate. It comprises 18 chalets which were completely refurbished in 2010. There is an adjoining Bush Spa offering massages and other spa treatments...