It’s been a long time since my last photo safari in Africa (The last one was in Uganda in 2013 to photograph the mountain gorillas) and I missed it. So I asked my photographer friend Peter Geraerdts who has a lodge in Zambia for advice. It was the right choice! Indeed, in this country the South Luangwa National Park was created in 1972 covering 9059km². The experts have nicknamed the South Luangwa National Park one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa river and its lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The Luangwa river is the most intact river system in Africa and is the vital blood of this park. It hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and lush vegetation and greenery in the summer months. There are 60 different animal species and over 400 different species of birds. The only notable exception is the rhinoceros, unfortunately brought to extinction about 20 years ago. The South Luangwa National Park is home to 4 of the large 5. In the park it is possible to spot elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos. Cape elephants and buffaloes are abundant in the park. Elephants crossing fields are not an unusual sight. The herd is composed of the oldest and largest matriarch who leads his daughters and children. A herd can be composed of 2 to 50 elephants.Leon and leopard are common in the park. South Luangwa was also coined as the “Valley of the Leopard”, this most secret cat can easily be seen lounging in the trees and wallowing in the shadows. Observing the wildlife in South Luangwa is not just about the big 4, there is much more to see … enjoy!
to see other pictures here
