Luambe National Park

Luambe covers a small block of the Luangwa valley between the two better known parks, and it receives so few visitors that the game is skittish and the tracks are often the only ones cut that season. Buffalo, elephant, hippo, puku and the Cookson's wildebeest found only in this valley all occur. It was heavily poached in the past and has been recovering under a management partnership since the 2010s. One camp operates in it.

What you actually see

• The Luangwa river frontage - the park's stretch of the river with hippo pods.
• Cookson's wildebeest - the subspecies found only in the Luangwa valley.
• The emptiness - one of the least visited parks in Zambia, with few tracks.
• The recovery - game returning under the management partnership since the 2010s.

When to go

June to October is dry with open tracks and concentrated game. The rains from November close the park entirely. Late season has the best sightings.

Honest expectations

The park closes in the wet season and access is difficult at any time. Game densities are far below South Luangwa and animals are shy. There is one camp and no other facilities.

Nearby

South Luangwa is south, and North Luangwa is north.