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Lying in the far west of Zambia, Liuwa Plain National Park is a pristine wilderness composed of wooded islands on a flat grassy plain. The plain floods from late December through until early May each year, during which time the Zambezi River becomes a 40 kilometre wide stretch of water, swamp, reedbeds and islands – an astonishing sight from the air.

The Liuwa Plain extends from horizon to horizon, and under these vast skies you will find a wealth of wildlife. Among the various antelopes are oribi, eland, red lechwe, steinbok, tsessebe, duiker and roan, many of which are rare elsewhere. The African Parks Network are working hard to control poaching and have reintroduced species such as buffalo and eland, whose numbers are now rising.

The main predators include large numbers of hyena, some packs of wild dog and a few cheeta, along with side-striped jackal and serval. Thanks to a successful reintroduction programme, lion have made a comeback and a new pride has begun to develop. Sightings of interesting species such as porcupine and huge python enhance many a day’s wildlife viewing.

With the onset of the rains at the end of October, many thousands of blue wildebeest arrive from Angola across the border and head to the centre of the plain. This is not a single mass migration, but individual herds of up to a 1,000 animals mingled with zebra and occasional tsessebe.

By December, the plains come alive again, with flowers blooming profusely, wildebeest dropping their young, and the arrival of migrant birds. By May and June, the rains are over, but the abundant water left in the shallow depressions provides succor for the animals. The skies are clear and blue, there are birds everywhere, and wild flowers add a splash of colour to the lush grassland. This is a wonderful time to visit as the abundant wildlife gives rise to many superb photographic opportunities.

Liuwa is famed for its prolific birdlife, as the mix of plain and woodland habitats means a wider species diversity that makes for excellent birding whatever the time of year. Among the more unusual birds are red-billed, and Hottentots teal, long-tailed whydah, sooty chat, flocks of black-winged pratincole, African fish eagle and woodland kingfisher. Large groups of crowned crane, sometimes numbering several hundred at a time, mingle with the wattled cranes that are never far from view. Bustards are common, and secretary birds stalk the plains. The variety - and sheer number - of water birds is staggering: egrets, spoonbills, yellow, and open-billed storks gather on the seasonal pans, which are often covered by a white carpet of water lilies.

The park is open from May to December only.

View suggested itinerary

Key info

  • Ideal for viewing: African wildcat, serval, steenbok, tsessebe, wild dog
  • Where: Western Province, Zambia

Wildlife trips

This wildlife location is featured in the following itinerary:

Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain

The west of Zambia is seldom visited by even the most seasoned safari travellers. This is Zambia at its most untamed, undisturbed and unspoilt. This is as wild as Zambia can be! On this exceptional tailor made holiday you can find the very best wildlife that the Wild West has to offer. Find out more about Zambia’s Wild West: Kafue & Liuwa Plain

  • Price (inc. flights): 11 days from £6,895
  • Trip type:
    Tailor-made Holiday
  • When to go:
    • N
    • D
Suggested accommodation is shown below. Please contact us for further recommendations.

King Lewanika Lodge

Located on the Upper Munde Stream in Liuwa Plains National Park, King Lewanika Lodge comprises of six luxury villas (including a two-bedroom family villa), accommodating a maximum of 15 guests. Liuwa is home to a wealth of wildlife including its famed lion pride and over 300 bird species. Find Out More about King Lewanika Lodge